Sexo, use de drogas y HIV en prisiones
Troncoso, A.; Palmero, S.; Brezzo, C.; Cechini, D.; Francos, J.; Gulotta, H.
Prensa Medica Argentina 91(9): 676-680
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0032-745X Document Number: 342704
This study was carry out in three of the country's main Prison System of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The goal of this research was to study the risk behaviors among prisoners with HIV/AIDS. Data was collected via face-to face standardized interviews, using a semi structured questionnaire with a physician. The presented study included a population of 194 HIV positive prisoners (12% of the total admissions at Federal Correctional System, since 2001), all of them were tested again. A high percentage of this group indicated significant health behavior risk factors: 93% (n:180) respondents were sexually active in the past 12 months, 74% (n:143) of respondents admit to their homosexual practice, 56% (n:98) of whom have acquired this practice while in prison. 66% (n:118) of subjects reported multiple sexual partners during the last 72 months (range: 2-320 partners). Among prisoners reporting many sexual partners, 60% never used a condom. 27% (n:48) reported rapes. 44% (n:85) reported history of drug consumption (mainly cocaine), 31% (n:60) history of injection drug use (IDU). More than 80% of the IDU, never used condoms and 37% (n:72) prisoners had past history of STDs. Among prisoners reporting IDU, 78% (n:47) pts reported they had ever injected drugs and 38% (n:18) of them had shared needles, and 54% (n:25) sharing their spoon during the previous year. Condom use at last sex reported by 4% (n:7) of respondents who had sex with a steady partner and 23% (n:41) of subjects who had sex with non-steady partner. Approximately 50% of all inmates who underwent screening had been incarcerated previously. These preliminary findings suggest that arrested may be at risk for acquisition of HIV through unsafe sex practices, drug use, or tattooing and body piercing with nonsterile equipment. The continued silence over the high risk of HIV-AIDS situation in prison must be broken immediately. Criminal justice, prison officials and public health care teams should be work together to provide effective HIV prevention program for persons who are arrested.