Impact of prison status on HIV-related risk behaviors.
Baseline data were collected to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions on completion of the hepatitis A and B vaccine series among 664 sheltered and street-based homeless adults who were: (a) homeless; (b) recently (<1 year) discharged from prison; (c) discharged 1 year or more; and (d) never incarcerated. Group differences at baseline were assessed for socio-demographic characteristics, drug and alcohol use, sexual activity, mental health and public assistance. More than one-third of homeless persons (38%) reported prison time and 16% of the sample had been recently discharged from prison. Almost half of persons who were discharged from prison at least 1 year ago reported daily use of drugs and alcohol over the past 6 months compared to about 1 in 5 among those who were recently released from prison. As risk for HCV and HIV co-infection continues among homeless ex-offenders, HIV/HCV prevention efforts are needed for this population.
Hudson
Angela L
AL
School of Nursing, University of California-Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
Nyamathi
Adeline
A
Bhattacharya
Debika
D
Marlow
Elizabeth
E
Shoptaw
Steven
S
Marfisee
Mary
M
Leake
Barbara
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006506:Hepatitis A / Q000453:epidemiology; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000453:epidemiology; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011330:Prisons; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult