OBJECTIVES: We examined the relationship between substance use and sexual HIV-risk behaviors among young men who have been incarcerated, in order to understand how HIV risks develop for this vulnerable population. METHODS: A sample of 552 young men in a New York City jail was interviewed at the time of incarceration. Bivariate analyses were performed to examine demographic and sexual HIV-risk behavior differences between men with and without recent alcohol and marijuana use. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between alcohol and marijuana use and sexual HIV-risk behaviors in the 90 days prior to incarceration. RESULTS: Respondents were predominantly Black (57%) or Latino (37%), with a mean age of 17.4 years. The most common substances used were marijuana (82%) and alcohol (65%). Alcohol use prior to incarceration was significantly associated with having three or more sexual partners in the same time period (OR = 2.40, p < .001), as well as with having unprotected sex with a long-term partner (OR = 1.72, p < .01). Marijuana use was significantly associated with having multiple sex partners (OR = 1.55, p < .01). Heavy alcohol and marijuana use did not result in an increased likelihood of sexual HIV-risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of substance use and unprotected sex may have unintended health consequences for incarcerated young men. Severity of substance use is not a significant predictor of risk behaviors, suggesting the importance of contextual and social factors. Results highlight the need for HIV prevention efforts for this population that take into account contextual and social factors.
OBJECTIVES: We examined the relationship between substance use and sexual HIV-risk behaviors among young men who have been incarcerated, in order to understand how HIV risks develop for this vulnerable population. METHODS: A sample of 552 young men in a New York City jail was interviewed at the time of incarceration. Bivariate analyses were performed to examine demographic and sexual HIV-risk behavior differences between men with and without recent alcohol and marijuana use. Logistic regression was used to examine associations between alcohol and marijuana use and sexual HIV-risk behaviors in the 90 days prior to incarceration. RESULTS: Respondents were predominantly Black (57%) or Latino (37%), with a mean age of 17.4 years. The most common substances used were marijuana (82%) and alcohol (65%). Alcohol use prior to incarceration was significantly associated with having three or more sexual partners in the same time period (OR = 2.40, p < .001), as well as with having unprotected sex with a long-term partner (OR = 1.72, p < .01). Marijuana use was significantly associated with having multiple sex partners (OR = 1.55, p < .01). Heavy alcohol and marijuana use did not result in an increased likelihood of sexual HIV-risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of substance use and unprotected sex may have unintended health consequences for incarcerated young men. Severity of substance use is not a significant predictor of risk behaviors, suggesting the importance of contextual and social factors. Results highlight the need for HIV prevention efforts for this population that take into account contextual and social factors.
Authors: Salaam Semaan; Don C Des Jarlais; Ellen Sogolow; Wayne D Johnson; Larry V Hedges; Gilbert Ramirez; Stephen A Flores; Lisa Norman; Michael D Sweat; Richard Needle Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2002-07-01 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: M A Shafer; J F Hilton; M Ekstrand; J Keogh; L Gee; L DiGiorgio-Haag; J Shalwitz; J Schachter Journal: Sex Transm Dis Date: 1993 Nov-Dec Impact factor: 2.830
Authors: Maria R Khan; David L Rosen; Matthew W Epperson; Asha Goldweber; Jordana L Hemberg; Joseph Richardson; Typhanye Penniman Dyer Journal: J Urban Health Date: 2013-08 Impact factor: 3.671
Authors: Jane Metrik; Amy J Caswell; Molly Magill; Peter M Monti; Christopher W Kahler Journal: J Stud Alcohol Drugs Date: 2016-01 Impact factor: 2.582
Authors: Omar Martinez; Elwin Wu; Ethan C Levine; Miguel Muñoz-Laboy; Joseph Spadafino; Brian Dodge; Scott D Rhodes; Javier López Rios; Hugo Ovejero; Eva M Moya; Silvia Chavez Baray; Alex Carballo-Diéguez; M Isabel Fernandez Journal: Addict Res Theory Date: 2016-04-10
Authors: Curt G Beckwith; Lauri Bazerman; Alexandra H Cornwall; Emily Patry; Michael Poshkus; Jeannia Fu; Amy Nunn Journal: AIDS Educ Prev Date: 2011-06