Sexual Risk and Criminal Justice Involvement Among Women Who Use Drugs

This study examined associations between arrest, probation, and jail incarceration on the number of sexual partners, sexual concurrency, and consistent condom use for drug-using women (n  = 631) in Oakland, California. We used logistic and negative binomial regression and adjusted for demographics, sex exchange and drug use. Probation was associated with higher rates of sexual partnership and concurrency (IRR 1.87, 95% CI [1.11, 3.15]; OR 3.64, 95% CI [1.08, 12.20]). Incarcerati on lasting over 12 weeks was associated with higher rates of sexual partnership (IRR 2.23, 95% CI [1.41, 3.51]). Women incarcerated once in the past year had higher odds of concurrency (OR 2.15, 95% CI [1.01, 4.57]). Our results reinforce the need for risk-reduction interventions and criminal justi ce diversion for women who use drugs.
Source: AIDS and Behavior - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research