AIDS-Related Risk Behavior among Female Prisoners with Histories of Mental Impairment

Abstract

This article highlights the need for correctional policy to address health education and self-efficacy training, as well as treatment of chemical dependence, among female prisoners with histories of psychological impairments and high-risk HIV-related behaviors. The authors examine the substance abuse and high-risk behavior histories of a group of 80 newly incarcerated women in Texas prisons with histories of varying degrees of mental impairment. In addition, the authors analyze the risk-taking behavior of a subset of 29 of these women who report histories of prostitution. This study's findings indicate that the majority of these 80 female inmates have histories of sustained use of alcohol and illicit drugs, recognize a current need for substance abuse and/or psychiatric treatment, and have recent histories of numerous high-risk behaviors for the transmission of AIDS. Yet, their self-perception of chances of contracting HIV is low.