A call to develop evidence-based interventions to reduce sexually transmitted infections in juvenile justice populations

Madison L. Gates, Michelle Staples-Horne, Jeanne Cartier, Candace Best, Rebecca Stone, Veronica Walker, Beverly Hastings, Wonsuk Yoo, Nancy C. Webb, Ronald L. Braithwaite

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk, are a significant health issue for young women (ages 16-21), especially African Americans with a juvenile justice history. Studies have found that 44% of young African American women have had at least one STI compared to 24.1% for all young women. The rate of STIs among young women with juvenile justice histories, particularly African Americans, is likely much higher than their non-detained peers. Yet, there are few evidence-based interventions (EBIs) designed specifically for the detained population. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Compendium of Evidence-Based Interventions and Best Practices for HIV Prevention listed few programs that comprehensively included components related to mental health, intimate relationships and high risk sexual behaviors that would be salient for a detained population. Further, many EBIs have had limited or no long-term protective effect. We propose that interrelated factors (mental health, substance use, trauma and intimate relationships) can effectively decrease risk and increase protective behaviors for the detained population most at risk.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)34-44
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
Volume27
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2016

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • African Americans
  • Domestic violence
  • HIV infections
  • Mental health
  • Risk reduction behavior
  • Safe sex
  • Sexual behavior
  • Sexually transmitted diseases
  • Substance-related disorders

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A call to develop evidence-based interventions to reduce sexually transmitted infections in juvenile justice populations'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this