Mahon N
Osborne Associations, New York, NY, USA.
Am J Public Health. 1996 Sep;86(9):1211-5. doi: 10.2105/ajph.86.9.1211.
The median incidence rate of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among prisoners is 7 times higher than for the general population. Yet high-risk sexual activity and drug use in US correctional facilities remain unexamined. This study explores inmate perceptions of high-risk behavior in New York state prisons and New York City jails and seeks to generate hypotheses to inform policies and future research.
Participants were 22 former New York state prisoners and 28 current New York City inmates. Participants attended one of six focus groups and completed an anonymous questionnaire. Audiotapes of the groups were transcribed and evaluated.
A range of consensual and nonconsensual sexual activity occurs among inmates and between inmates and staff. Without official access to latex barriers, prisoners use ineffective makeshift devices, like rubber gloves and used plastic wrap, in attempts to practice safer sex. Prisoners also shoot drugs intravenously with used syringes and pieces of pens and light bulbs.
The absence of harm-reduction devices behind bars may create a greater risk of HIV transmission there than in the community. Officials should consider distributing risk-reduction devices to prisoners through anonymous methods.
囚犯中获得性免疫缺陷综合征(艾滋病)的发病率中位数比普通人群高7倍。然而,美国惩教机构中的高风险性行为和吸毒情况仍未得到研究。本研究探讨纽约州监狱和纽约市监狱中囚犯对高风险行为的认知,并试图提出假设,为政策制定和未来研究提供参考。
参与者包括22名曾在纽约州服刑的囚犯和28名纽约市在押人员。参与者参加了六个焦点小组之一,并填写了一份匿名问卷。对小组的录音进行了转录和评估。
囚犯之间以及囚犯与工作人员之间存在一系列双方自愿和非双方自愿的性行为。由于无法正式获取乳胶屏障,囚犯使用橡胶手套和用过的保鲜膜等无效的临时替代品,试图进行更安全的性行为。囚犯还使用用过的注射器、笔芯和灯泡静脉注射毒品。
监狱中缺乏减少伤害的用品可能会使那里的艾滋病毒传播风险比社区更大。官员们应考虑通过匿名方式向囚犯分发降低风险的用品。