Risk behaviours of inmates in south-eastern France

Abstract

This study was set up to compare risk behaviours between IDU and no-IDU inmates and among IDUs and to elicit the differences of preventive and risk behaviours according to sex. It was carried out in the Baumettes Prison, France, from November 16 to December 21, 1992; 295 male and 137 female inmates were interviewed using a self-questionnaire checked by the medical staff. Twenty per cent of participants (85/432) declared to be IDU (heroin); half of them reported needle sharing. After adjustment for age and sex, the number of sexual partners during the last year was significantly higher among IDU inmates (more than two partners: 19% vs 9.5%); similarly, sexual intercourse with an IDU during the last five years was reported more frequently by IDUs (47% vs 5%). After adjustment for the number of sexual partners, the proportion of IDUs who declared using always condoms was higher than that of non-IDUs (30.5% vs 13%). IDUs reported a prior HIV testing more often than no-IDUs (93% vs 49%). Multidimensional analysis showed that IDU female inmates reported having been HIV tested (100% vs 88%), had sexual intercourse with an IDU (73.5% vs 25.5%) and practised needle sharing (62% vs 43%) more often than male IDU inmates. This survey shows that, beyond drug taking which is the main risk factor for HIV infection in the carceral population, sexual behaviours could be an additional risk factor among IDU inmates, especially among women. Although use of condoms seems to be more frequent among IDU inmates, these findings highlight the need to have a better understanding of risky behaviours in the carceral population and to enhance the counselling and prevention strategy inside the prisons.