Gender differences in HIV risk among juvenile inmates in Taiwan

Gender differences in HIV risk among juvenile inmates has been understudied. Thus, we collected anonymous census survey data from juvenile inmates in correctional institutions using a self-administered questionnaire. We focused on measuring risky behaviors, particularly illicit drug use, having piercings/tattoos and condom using behaviors. A total of 1,212 male and 145 female juvenile inmates were recruited in the survey, which yielded many interesting findings including: the percentage of drug offense convictions for this imprisonment was 9.4% for male and 21.4% for female, yet the prevalence of ever using illicit drugs was 40.9% and 55.2%, respectively. The first three leading illicit drugs for initial drug-use experience were Ketamine, Amphetamine, and MDMA for both genders. Among the illicit drug-using participants, 47 of 494 males and 10 of 80 females injected drugs. Noteworthy, roughly 1.6% of males and 24.5% of females disclosed their sexual orientation as homosexual/bisexual. Significant gender differences in prevalence of risky behaviors were found in piercings or tattoos before this imprisonment (56.7% of males vs. 84.1% of females, p < .001) and in safer sex practices (e.g., 42.7% of males vs. 35.0% of females never or less than half of the time used condoms during penetrative intercourse, p=.001 ). This and related studies suggest that health education interventions are likely to have greater impact if they are carefully tailored to address the specific HIV/AIDS prevention needs of juvenile inmates.