Sunbelt XXXI International Network for Social Network ... - INSNA

Comparing Local Configurations In Social NetworksFaust, KatherineNetwork MethodsMethods, Configurations, Multiple‐network Studies, Network ComparisonFRI.AM1This paper considers the related issues of characterizing local structural properties in social networks and systematically comparing these properties amongdifferent social relations. Here, local structural properties are characterized as departures from baseline expectations in conditional uniform random graphs.Comparisons are illustrated using a pool of social networks measured on different animal species and relations. Results suggest limitations to notion ofnetwork “motif” when applied to many social networks and raise questions about both the substantive contents of social relations and their measurement.Comparison Of Sexual Mixing Patterns For Syphilis In Endemic And Outbreak SettingsDoherty, Irene A.; Adimora, Adaora A.; Muth, Stephen Q.; Serre, Marc L.; Leone, Peter A.; Miller, William C.Social Networks and HealthSex Networks, Public Health, Mixing, syphilis, assortativeFRI.AM1BACKGROUND: In a largely rural region of North Carolina during 1998‐2002, syphilis outbreaks occurred, tied to crack cocaine use and exchange of sex fordrugs and money. Sexual partnership mixing patterns are a characteristic of sexual networks that relate to transmission. METHODS: Using contact tracing datacollected by Disease Intervention Specialists, we estimated Newman assortativity coefficients and compared values in counties experiencing syphilis outbreaksto non‐outbreak counties, with respect to race/ethnicity, race/ethnicity and age, syphilis disease stage (primary, secondary, early latent), and 4 node degreemeasures including social/sexual contacts, infected contacts, sex partners, and infected sex partners. RESULTS: Individuals in the outbreak counties had morecontacts and mixing by the sex partner degree was disassortative in outbreak counties and assortative non‐outbreak counties. Mixing by syphilis disease stagewas assortative in outbreak counties, it was disassortative in non‐outbreak areas. Partnerships were relatively discordant by age, especially among older Whitemen, who often chose considerably younger female partners. CONCLUSIONS: Whether assortative mixing exacerbates or attenuates the reach of STIs intodifferent populations depends on the characteristic/attribute and epidemiologic phase. Examination of sexual partnership characteristics and mixing patternsoffers insights into the growth of STI outbreaks that complement other research methods.