HIV, STD, and hepatitis risk behaviors of young men before and after incarceration

Abstract

High rates of HIV, STD and hepatitis and associated risk behaviors have been documented among persons entering correctional facilities. However, there is a paucity of data on risk behaviors after release from custody. This study documents risk behaviors and informs intervention development targeting young men leaving incarcerated settings. We enrolled and interviewed 106 men from five prisons up to 60 days prior to their release from prison and interviewed them again four times after their release (at 1-week, 1-, 3- and 6-months). At enrollment, men were 18–29 years of age. Nearly 54% identified as African American, while 27% identified as White, 10% identified as Hispanic/Latino and 10% identified as “other”. Approximately 83% had been incarcerated multiple times, 37% reported a prior STD diagnosis and their mean lifetime number of sex partners was 36 (median = 20). Many reported multiple sex partners and inconsistent condom use after release. A significant decrease in condom use during vaginal sex with primary committed female partners and in oral sex with both committed and casual female partners after release from prison were reported from 1–6 months. These young men are at sexual risk of HIV, STD and hepatitis infection after release from prison. Interventions are needed to prevent this population from acquiring and transmitting HIV, STD and hepatitis.

Keywords:

• HIV
• STD
• hepatitis
• prevention
• men
• incarceration

Acknowledgements

This research project was supported by Cooperative Agreement Numbers 414879, 514804, 114812 and 914806 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention under Program Announcement #750: “HIV and STD Intervention Research for Young Men Leaving Prison”. The Project START Quantitative Analysis Committee was responsible for this manuscript: Kathleen Morrow (Chair), Robin MacGowan, Andrew Margolis, Timothy McAuliffe, Bonnie Faigeles, Raymond Niaura and John Askew. We gratefully acknowledge the courage and honesty of the young men who participated in this research. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Notes

1. Project START Study Group: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Juarlyn Gaiter^a, Principal Investigator (PI); Robin MacGowan^a, PI; Richard Wolitski^a, PI; Andrew Margolis^a; Lisa Belcher^a; Julie Lifshay^a; Mary McFarlane^a; Ann O'Leary^a; John M Williamson^a

Jackson State University: Gloria Eldridge^j, PI; John Askew^b, PI; James Fitterling^b, Co-PI; Marty Fortenberry^b; Joseph Griebler^b; Stephen Kennedy^b; Scott McGregor^b; James Sturges^k; Jerry Vardaman^b

Medical College of Wisconsin/University of Wisconsin Medical School: David Seal^c, PI; James Sosman^d, Co-PI; Timothy McAuliffe^c; Barbara Reed^c; Rodney Simms^c; Ricardo Reed^c; Dave Rompa^c; Jo Bergholte^c

The Miriam Hospital/The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University: Kathleen Morrow^e, PI; Timothy Flanigan^f, Co-PI; Christine Fitzgerald^e; Ricky Lugo^e; Daniel Strother^e; Deborah Kacanek^g; Raymond Niaura^e; Jill Nealey-Moore^e

University of California, San Francisco/Centerforce: Olga Grinstead^h, PI; Barry Zackⁱ, Co-PI; Bonnie Faigeles^h; Diane Binson^h; Ricardo Brachoⁱ; Chauncey Johnsonⁱ; Ellen Silberⁱ; William Woods^h; Steve Gregorich^h

^a Prevention Research Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, US; ^b Community Health Program, Jackson State University, Jackson, US; ^c Center for AIDS Intervention Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, US; ^d Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, US; ^e Centers for Behavioral & Preventive Medicine, The Miriam Hospital/Brown Medical School, Providence US; ^f Department of Medicine, The Miriam Hospital/Brown Medical School, Providence, US; ^g Department of Health and Social Behavior, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, US; ^h Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California at San Francisco, US; ⁱ Centerforce, San Rafael, CA, US; ^j University of Alaska Anchorage, Anchorage, US; ^k California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, US