Prisoner risk taking in the Russian Federation
Frost, L.; Tchertkov, V.
Aids Education and Prevention Official Publication of the International Society for Aids Education 14(5 Suppl B): 7-23
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0899-9546 PMID: 12413189 DOI: 10.1521/aeap.14.7.7.23857Document Number: 244146
For a pilot prevention program in Russian prisons, Médecins Sans Frontières conducted research on prisoner risk behaviors with full support from Russian prison authorities. Analysis of data from 1,044 15-30-year-old prisoners produced evidence of HIV/AIDS risks in prisons. One percent of prisoners surveyed reported all three prison risk activities--engaging in sex, injecting drugs, and getting a tattoo. Two-by-two table analysis consistently showed statistically significant associations between risk activities. These results conservatively describe the presence and nature of such risks: Risks do occur, risks vary and the relationships between risks vary, and Russian prisoners already take steps to reduce risk. This evidence helps to justify and informs HIV/AIDS prevention and health promotion interventions in the Russian prison system.