Prisoner risk taking in the Russian Federation.
For a pilot prevention program in Russian prisons, Médecins Sans Frontières conducted research on prisoner risk behaviors with full support from Russian prison authorities. Analysis of data from 1,044 15-30-year-old prisoners produced evidence of HIV/AIDS risks in prisons. One percent of prisoners surveyed reported all three prison risk activities--engaging in sex, injecting drugs, and getting a tattoo. Two-by-two table analysis consistently showed statistically significant associations between risk activities. These results conservatively describe the presence and nature of such risks: Risks do occur, risks vary and the relationships between risks vary, and Russian prisoners already take steps to reduce risk. This evidence helps to justify and informs HIV/AIDS prevention and health promotion interventions in the Russian prison system.
Frost
Lizz
L
BBC World Service Trust, London, UK. lizz.frost@bbc.co.uk
Tchertkov
Vladimir
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006285:Health Planning; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D021841:Safe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012800:Siberia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology; D013653:Tattooing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data