Objective. The current study intends to examine the AIDS knowledge, perception of risk, and sexual risk behaviors among incarcerated female drug abusers.
Methods. A total of 390 recently incarcerated drug abusers were recruited from a female prison in northern Taiwan. Participants were surveyed about AIDS-related knowledge, perception of AIDS risk, and their sexual practices during the past three months. Logistic regression was conducted to examine the relationship between AIDS knowledge and perception of risk on unprotected sexual practices. Unprotected sexual practice was defined as exchanging sex without condom use or having multiple sexual partners without using condom in the past three months.
Results. In the current study, 32.1% of the participants reported unprotected sexual practices. After controlling for age and education, the results from logistic regression indicates that AIDS knowledge and perception of AIDS risk were significant predictors of unprotected sexual intercourse, accounting for 70.3% of the variances. Specifically, the findings shows that female drug abusers having higher knowledge of AIDS and perceived themselves at higher risk were more likely to practice unprotected sexual intercourse.
Discussion. The study findings are a little surprising because we speculated positive relationships between AIDS knowledge, perception of AIDS risk, and safer sexual practice among this minority population. It is imperative for us to examine the causality in the future.
Learning Objectives: 1.recognize the level of risk of contracting HIV/AIDS among female drug abusers in Taiwan 2.identify the relationships of AIDS knowledge, perception of AIDS risk, and sexual practices 3.discuss the causality between behavior, knowledge, and perception of risk
Keywords: Women and HIV/AIDS, Drug Abuse
Awards: - WinnerPresenting 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.