HIV and AIDS risk behaviors among female jail detainees: implications for public health policy.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the sexual and injection drug use HIV and AIDS risk behaviors of female jail detainees.


METHODS
The sample (n = 948) was stratified by charge type (felony vs misdemeanor) and race/ethnicity (African American, non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, other).


RESULTS
Non-Hispanic White women, women arrested for less serious charges, women who had prior arrests, women arrested on drug charges, and women with severe mental disorders were at especially high risk for sexual and injection drug transmission of HIV and AIDS.


CONCLUSIONS
Many women at risk for HIV and AIDS--women who use drugs, women who trade sex for money or drugs, homeless women, and women with mental disorders--eventually will cycle through jail. Because most jail detainees return to their communities within days, providing HIV and AIDS education in jail must become a public health priority.
McClelland
Gary Michael
GM
Psycho-Legal Studies Program, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill 60611-3078, USA. l-teplin@nwu.edu
Teplin
Linda A
LA
Abram
Karen M
KM
Jacobs
Naomi
N
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois / Q000453:epidemiology; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D016387:Women's Health