Active and Former Injection Drug users Report of HIV Risk Behaviors during Periods of Incarceration

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Abstract
American prisons have increasing numbers of inmates incarcerated for drug offenses. This population is at high risk for HIV–infection and may continue HIV transmission risk behaviors while incarcerated. We find that 31 % of injection drug users with a history of imprisonment had used illicit drugs in prison, and nearly half of these persons had injected drugs while incarcerated. Male gender and number of times incarcerated were associated with drug use in prison. Interventions for drug–using prisoners that are advocated in some European prisons, such as needle exchange programs and methadone maintenance, need attention in the United States.