title: Environmental barriers to HIV prevention among incarcerated adolescents: a qualitative assessment.
abstract: The purpose of this research was to identify environmental factors that influence incarcerated adolescents' risk for HIV/STDs. Based on data from six gender-stratified focus groups consisting of 28 incarcerated adolescents from three detention centers in Georgia, the following salient environments emerged: schools, families, peer groups, neighborhoods, malls, and detention centers. These environments represent places in which factors related to sexual decision-making are embedded for this high-risk population. Within these environments, five factors influence their risk for HIV/STDs: (1) hierarchical messages that promote abstinence and risk reduction, (2) availability and accessibility of condoms, (3) acceptability of condoms, (4) availability of comprehensive sex education, and (5) parental communication about sex and risk reduction. Increased understanding of the role of these factors may contribute to the development of integrated interventions designed to prevent HIV/STDs among incarcerated adolescents.
authors.affiliation: Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1520 Clifton Road Room 214, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Darcy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Freedman
authors.forename: Laura F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Salazar
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Crosby
authors.forename: Ralph J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: DiClemente
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D003142:Communication; D017280:Condoms; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005845:Georgia; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods*