Impact of prison status on HIV-related risk behaviors

AIDS Behav. 2011 Feb;15(2):340-6. doi: 10.1007/s10461-009-9570-x. Epub 2009 May 20.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology*
  • HIV Infections / transmission
  • Hepatitis A / epidemiology
  • Hepatitis B / epidemiology
  • Housing
  • Humans
  • Ill-Housed Persons / psychology*
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Los Angeles / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prisons*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Young Adult