"Broken windows" and the risk of gonorrhea

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We examined the relationships between neighborhood conditions and gonorrhea. METHODS: We assessed 55 block groups by rating housing and street conditions. We mapped all cases of gonorrhea between 1994 and 1996 and calculated aggregated case rates by block group. We obtained public school inspection reports and assigned findings to the block groups served by the neighborhood schools. A "broken windows" index measured housing quality, abandoned cars, graffiti, trash, and public school deterioration. Using data from the 1990 census and 1995 updates, we determined the association between "broken windows," demographic characteristics, and gonorrhea rates. RESULTS: The broken windows index explained more of the variance in gonorrhea rates than did a poverty index measuring income, unemployment, and low education. In high-poverty neighborhoods, block groups with high broken windows scores had significantly higher gonorrhea rates than block groups with low broken windows scores (46.6 per 1000 vs 25.8 per 1000; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The robust association of deteriorated physical conditions of local neighborhoods with gonorrhea rates, independent of poverty, merits an intervention trial to test whether the environment has a causal role in influencing high-risk sexual behaviors.

Efficacy of an HIV/STI Sexual Risk-Reduction Intervention for African American Adolescent Girls in Juvenile Detention Centers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The number of “yes” responses were summed with higher scores indicating receipt of a greater number of forms of government assistance. Neighborhood quality was assessed with 3 questions about the physical condition of participants’ neighborhood (Cohen 2000). A sample item is, “On your street, are there abandoned homes or apartments?” Responses to all three Yes/No questions were summed to create an index of neighborhood quality with higher scores indicative of poorer neighborhood quality.…”

Socioeconomic-Related Risk and Sexually Transmitted Infection Among African-American Adolescent Females

“…28–30 SES-related risk was captured by summing responses to 4 items regarding receipt of family aid (i.e., welfare, food stamps, WIC, subsidized housing) and 3 items about neighborhood conditions (“On your street are there: a. abandoned homes or apartments?, b. buildings with broken windows?, and c. homes with bars on the windows and doors? ”) Neighborhood condition was included as it has been associated with STIs in prior research, 31 and it has been suggested that residing in a disordered physical environment is stress inducing. Resulting index scores ranged from 0 to 7, with higher scores indicating higher SES-related risk exposure.…”

A model of real estate and psychological factors in decision-making to buy real estate

“…Homes are material resources and psychosocial status symbols that influence how people see themselves and are seen by others (Dunn, 2000). Poor housing conditions can lead to pessimism, passivity, chronic stress and general discontent (Cohen et al, 2000). Due to an economic crisis, which is part of the economic cycle and is a phenomenon when economic activities increase or decrease (Samuelson, 1995), it is increasingly necessary to coordinate the interests of potential buyers' expectations for buying decisions.…”