title: HIV risk behaviors of male and female jail inmates prior to incarceration and one year post-release.
abstract: Individuals cycling in and out of the criminal justice system are at high risk for contracting HIV/AIDS. Most infections are contracted in the community, not during incarceration, but little is known about the profile of risk behaviors responsible for this elevated infection rate. This study investigated pre-incarceration and post-release HIV risk behaviors in a longitudinal study of 542 male and female inmates in a Northern Virginia jail. Although there was a significant decrease in risky behavior from pre-incarceration to post-incarceration, participants reported high levels of unprotected sexual activity and risky IV drug behaviors at both time points, emphasizing the need for prevention programming among this at-risk population. Gender differences in participants' pre-incarceration and post-release HIV risk behaviors suggest the need for gender-specific interventions to reduce overall HIV risk. Identifying specific HIV risk behaviors of jail inmates is vital to improve treatment and intervention efforts inside and outside of correctional settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, George Mason University, MS 3f5, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA, 22030, USA, ladamse@gmu.edu.
authors.forename: Leah M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kendall
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Quigley
authors.forename: Jeffrey B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Stuewig
authors.forename: June P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Tangney
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016485:Needle Sharing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011050:Policy Making; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012747:Sexual Partners; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014768:Virginia / Q000453:epidemiology