Prevalence of HIV-related risk behaviors and STDs among incarcerated adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the HIV-related risk behaviors and STDs in a population of incarcerated adolescents in order to strategically target education and prevention efforts.


METHODS
A single point-in-time prevalence study based on an analysis of intake medical records of 1,215 incarcerated youth were analyzed for HIV risk behaviors and STD history.


RESULTS
Incarcerated adolescents report high rates of risk behaviors for HIV infection and STDs, with 75% reporting three or more sex partners, 25% never using condoms and 19% having a current diagnosis of at least one STD. Significantly more females than males reported a history of STDs and had higher rates of current diagnoses of chlamydia/non-gonococcal urethritis, trichomonas and gonorrhea.


CONCLUSIONS
Ethnic/racial and gender differences were found in risk behaviors for STDs among a sample of incarcerated adolescents.
Canterbury
R J
RJ
Department of Psychiatric Medicine, Blue Ridge Hospital Division-Box 16, University of Virginia, Charlottesville 22901, USA.
McGarvey
E L
EL
Sheldon-Keller
A E
AE
Waite
D
D
Reams
P
P
Koopman
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D017280:Condoms; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data