PREVALENCE OF HIV-RELATED RISK BEHAVIORS AND STDS AMONG INCARCERATED ADOLESCENTS

Purpose: To determine the HIV-related risk behaviors and STDs in a population of incarcerated adolescents in order to strategically target education and prevention efforts. Methods: A single point-in-time prevalence study based on an analysis of intake medical records of 1,215 incarcerated youth were analyzed for HIV risk behaviors and STD history. Results: Incarcerated adolescents report high rates of risk behaviors for HIV infection and STDs, with 75% reporting three or more sex partners, 25% never using condoms and 19% having a current diagnosis of at least one STD. Significantly more females than males reported a history of STDs and had higher rates of current diagnoses of chlamydia/non-gonococcal urethritis, trichomonas and gonorrhea. Conclusions: Ethnic/racial and gender differences were found in risk behaviors for STDs among a sample of incarcerated adolescents.