Assessment of HIV Awareness among Prisoners as a Determinant of Effectiveness of Preventive Measures in Risk Groups

Abstract

Introduction: HIV prevention and spread of this infection remain key issues of epidemiology. In this respect, appropriate preventive measures are taken in the Tyumen Region among prisoners, a specific group at risk of HIV infection and spread. In terms of epidemiology, it seems important to analyze HIV awareness among convicts for further elaboration or amendment of preventive actions currently taken in the region for this contingent. Objective: To assess the level of awareness of HIV risks under conditions of the penitentiary system among prisoners. Materials and methods: The survey method, descriptive-evaluative, analytical, statistical and epidemiological research methods with the calculation of intensive and extensive indicators are used in the work. The method of collecting primary sociological information is a questionnaire survey (November, 2021) of prisoners by entering answers into the author's questionnaire on paper. HIV-negative prisoners took part in the survey (n = 60; 20-50 years old; CI = 95 %; criterion sample). Results: The questionnaire-based survey of 60 male prisoners showed that the respondents were confident in a zero risk of HIV infection. Half of them believed that they would never get HIV while 95 % (n = 57) considered prison to be a risk-free zone. Only 63.3 % (n = 38) of the inmates agreed that any sexual intercourse posed a HIV risk. Besides, 73.3 % (n = 44) had never used intravenous drugs (they used non-parenteral drugs or not on a regular basis); 16.6 % (n = 10) favored “light” psychoactive substances or their temporary use. Fifty-five percent (n = 33) of the respondents were unaware of the recommended frequency of HIV testing and 38.8 % (n = 23) of them had been tested for HIV more than a year before the survey. Consequently, the members of the risk group do not realize themselves part of the problem, are poorly informed, and know little about HIV prevention and factors contributing to the spread of this deadly disease. Conclusions: The social group of prisoners is an important component in containment of the HIV epidemic process in the region. The survey results necessitate improvement of the HIV outreach program in the correctional system.