Citation

Abrams GB, Etkind P, Burke MC, Cram V. J. Correct. Health Care 2008; 14(2): 80-88.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, National Commission on Correctional Health Care (USA), Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/1078345807313797

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The authors examined the prevalence of sexual violence, high-risk sexual behaviors, substance abuse, history of sexually transmitted disease (STD), and participation in risk-reduction interventions among incarcerated women attending a prison-based STD clinic. Trained interviewers administered a questionnaire to 214 participants. Analysis revealed that history of sexual violence was common; first experience was usually at a young age (almost half at or younger than 10 years old). History of sexual violence was associated with having 10 or more sexual partners in the year before incarceration and during their lifetime, first pregnancy by age 16, trading sex for drugs, trading sex for money, any drug use, and history of diagnosed STD. Sexual violence, particularly childhood sexual abuse, may be a significant risk factor for STD and drug use among incarcerated women. These women should be screened for history of violence and provided with education and counseling services on-site and as part of discharge planning.