HIV, STD, and Hepatitis Risk to Primary Female Partners of Men Being Released from Prison

ABSTRACT

Incarcerated men in the US are at increased risk for HIV, STDs and hepatitis, and many men leaving prison have unprotected sex with a primary female partner immediately following release from prison. This paper addressees risk to the primary female partners of men being released from prison (N = 106) by examining the prevalence of men's concurrent unprotected sex with other partners or needle sharing prior to and following release from prison (concurrent risk). Rates of concurrent risk were 46% prior to incarceration, 18% one month postrelease, and 24% three months postrelease. Multivariate analysis showed concurrent risk was significantly associated with having a female partner who had one or more HIV/STD risk factors and having a history of injection drug use. Findings demonstrate need for prevention programs for incarcerated men and their female partners.

KEYWORDS:

• Prison
• parolees
• HIV/AIDS
• STD risk behavior
• female partners
• reentry