Original Articles
Variations in HIV risk behaviors of incarcerated juveniles during a four-year period: 1989–1992

https://doi.org/10.1016/S1054-139X(97)00268-1Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective: To retrospectively monitor over several years changes in incarcerated juveniles’ human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors.

Methods: From 1989 to 1992, detainees who volunteered after an HIV class or were referred by a health care provider were counseled individually and privately by health educators using a standardized questionnaire and counseling form developed from an instrument used to counsel prostitutes in Los Angeles, California.

Results: The number counseled each year was 1045, 1745, 2354 and 1428 from 1989 to 1992, respectively. Those agreeing to HIV testing rose from 72% of total participants in 1989 to 84% of total participants in 1992. Eight of those youth tested as HIV positive. Four blind seroprevalence studies during the same time yielded one case in 1000 for 1988, one case in 1005 for 1989, two cases in 751 in late 1989 (2.7/1000), and one case in 1214 for 1990 (1.25/1000). The number worrying about AIDS and considering themselves vulnerable to AIDS increased, but protective behaviors did not. Sexual partners per year were 2.1 regardless of the age of first sexual activity. Alcohol was associated with an increased number of sexual partners (2.6/year) and higher rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and pregnancy. Although 96% of boys and girls were sexually active, only 4% used a condom consistently during the first 3 years, and only 7% in 1992. Those reporting having used condoms with the intention to prevent both STIs and pregnancy had a higher rate of use. Those carrying condoms all the time used condoms more often. Males having sex with both males and females rarely used condoms, and 45% had one or more STIs.

Conclusion: Although the rate of HIV infection remains low in juveniles detained by the County of Los Angeles, their rates of risky behaviors place them at high risk for HIV acquisition.

Section snippets

Procedure

During the years 1989–1992, conveniently located groups of juveniles incarcerated within the Los Angeles County Probation Department facilities were given a 45–60-min classroom-style presentation describing risk behaviors that might put them in jeopardy for acquiring HIV infection. The counselors [specially trained health educators] offered HIV education to groups of adolescents who were waiting for various processing events, to see medical staff or in school classrooms when scheduling

Results

A total of 6581 minors participated in the study. Demographic characteristics of the subjects are presented in Table 1. Overall, females comprised 18% of the sample and the mean age of the participants was 16 years old, with a range from 13 to 18 years. The racial mixture varied from year to year, with Hispanics increasing and blacks and whites decreasing over the study period (Table 1). Participants who described themselves as none of these most prevalent races were classified as “other.” Less

Discussion

Relatively few detained youth tested positive for HIV (an average of 0.8 cases/1000 tests in seroprevalence studies) during the study years. Infection rates for HIV in other adolescent populations at the same time of our study are generally similar or lower. Gayle and colleagues reported a 0.2% (2/1000 students tested) overall rate of seroprevalence for 19 U.S. colleges. All positive students were over age 18 years, and all but two were males 11. Between October 1985 and March 1989, 0.34/1000

Acknowledgements

This study was supported by L.A. County Contract no. 62118 for AIDS/HIV Testing/Counseling and Information Services Agreement, funded by CDC. The authors are grateful for the devoted help of Teri Hoffman in manuscript preparation.

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