Background. We examined the high-risk health behaviors of a population of incarcerated adolescents in four of North Carolina's Division of Youth Services of the Department of Human Resources' five training schools.
Methods. We analyzed a cross-sectional sample of 210 incarcerated adolescents. Data was collected through 40-minute interviews administered by trained research assistants.
Results. Multivariate analysis, when adjusting for demographic characteristics and other present risk factors, found that adolescents in training school who do not report regular substance abuse were more likely to partake in safer sexual behaviors (consistent condom use, no prior history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), less than three partners). Those who reported using alcohol or drugs before sex either sometimes, once in a while, or never were over six times more likely to have three or fewer partners than those who used drugs or alcohol before sex either always or most of the time. Excepting condoms, many respondents falsely indicated that foam, birth control pills, diaphragms, and withdrawal were effective methods to prevent STD and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Furthermore, if a respondent believed a method to be effective in preventing STD infection, they were more likely to use these methods.
Conclusion. While our results indicate that more health education is required to clarify that certain methods of pregnancy prevention are not effective for the prevention of either STDs or HIV, if substance abuse is not addressed along with other sexual risk behaviors, it will continue to undermine sexual health education skills and messages.
Learning Objectives: 1. Discuss the HIV/STD knowledge of incarcerated adolescents. 2. Describe the role of substance abuse in poor sexual behavior choice among incarcerated adoelscents. 3. Discuss possible intervention among incarcerated adolescents to prepare them for healthier lifestyles following release
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Prison
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.