HIV/STI Risk Behavior of Drug Court Participants

• NCJ Number: 242737
• Journal: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation Volume: 51 Issue: 7 Dated: October 2012 Pages: 453-473
• Author(s): Angela A. Robertson; Janet S. St. Lawrence; D. Lee McCluskey
• Date Published: October 2012
• Length: 21 pages
• Grant Number(s): R21 DA029449
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study employed interviews to assess drug court professionals' perceptions of the need for an HIV risk reduction intervention to be integrated into the services provided to drug court participants.

Abstract

Drug abusing offenders have high rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). To date, the HIV/STI prevention needs of offenders in drug court programs have been ignored. This multi-method study employed interviews to assess drug court professionals' perceptions of the need for an HIV risk reduction intervention to be integrated into the services provided to drug court participants. Then, surveys were completed by 235 drug court participants to assess whether their sexual risk behaviors affirmed the need for such an intervention. The survey also assessed demographic characteristics, drug use prior to program entry, HIV knowledge, and condom attitudes. The relationship between duration in the drug court program and sexual risk behavior was also examined. Implications for the development and delivery of HIV risk reduction interventions within drug court programs are discussed. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.