HIV knowledge and behaviors of incarcerated youth: A comparison of high and low risk locales

Incarcerated adolescents comprise a group at high risk of HIV infection because they engage in substantially more HIV-related sexual and drug behaviors than the general adolescent population. There is, however, little information on similarities and differences between adolescents incarcerated in high AIDS-prevalence geographic areas with those from low AIDS-prevalence areas. This study compared adolescents incarcerated in juvenile detention facilities in San Francisco (N = 113) and Alabama (N = 393) with respect to HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and risk behaviors. While findings indicated that the two groups' overall knowledge levels were relatively similar, adolescents in San Francisco reported a higher prevalence of risk behaviors. These findings are discussed in terms of the development and implementation of HIV prevention programs specifically targeted toward incarcerated youths and stressing adoption of realistic risk-reduction strategies.