Rural Incarcerated Women: HIV/HCV Knowledge and Correlates of Risky Behavior

Bridgette Peteet, Michele Staton, Brittany Miller-Roenigk, Adam Carle, Carrie Oser

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

16 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rural incarcerated women have an increased risk of acquiring the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis C virus (HCV) due to prevalent engagement in drug use and sexual behaviors. Limited research has investigated HIV and HCV knowledge in this high-risk population. Furthermore, the interplay of sociodemographic factors (i.e., education, age, income, and sexual orientation) and risky behavior is understudied in this population. The present study evaluated a sample of adult, predominately White women from rural Kentucky (n = 387) who were recruited from local jails. The sample had high HIV and HCV knowledge but also reported extensive risk behaviors including 44% engaging in sex work and 75.5% reporting a history of drug injection. The results of multiple regression analysis for risky sexual behavior indicated that sexual minority women and those with less HIV knowledge were more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors. The regression model identifying the significant correlates of risky drug behavior indicated that HIV knowledge, age, and income were negative correlates and that sexual minority women were more likely to engage in high-risk drug use. When HCV knowledge was added to the regression models already including HIV knowledge, the interaction was significant for drug risk. Interventions for rural imprisoned women should consider the varied impact of sociodemographic background and prioritize HIV education to more effectively deter risky sexual and drug behaviors.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)977-986
Number of pages10
JournalHealth Education and Behavior
Volume45
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Society for Public Health Education.

Keywords

  • HIV knowledge
  • HIV prevention
  • hepatitis C knowledge
  • incarcerated women
  • rural women

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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