Associations Between Incarceration History and Risk of Hypertension and Hyperglycemia: Consideration of Differences among Black, Hispanic, Asian and White Subgroups.

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that adults with a history of incarceration have elevated cardiovascular (CVD) risk. Research on racial/ethnic group differences in the association between incarceration and CVD risk factors of hypertension and hyperglycemia is limited. OBJECTIVE: To assess racial/ethnic group differences in the association between incarceration and hypertension and hyperglycemia. DESIGN: We performed a secondary data analysis using the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). Using modified Poisson regression, we estimated the associations between lifetime history of incarceration reported during early adulthood with hypertension and hyperglycemia outcomes measured in mid-adulthood, including incident diagnosis. We evaluated whether associations varied by self-reported race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and Asian). PARTICIPANTS: The analytic sample included 4,015 Add Health respondents who self-identified as non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and Asian, and provided incarceration history and outcome data. MAIN MEASURES: Outcome measures included (1) hypertension (2) systolic blood pressure ≥ 130 mmHg, and (3) hyperglycemia. KEY RESULTS: In non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White participants, there was not evidence of an association between incarceration and measured health outcomes. Among Hispanic participants, incarceration was associated with hyperglycemia (Adjusted Risk Ratio (ARR): 2.1, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.1-3.7), but not with hypertension risk. Incarceration was associated with elevated systolic blood pressure (ARR: 3.1, CI: 1.2-8.5) and hypertension (ARR: 1.7, CI: 1.0-2.8, p = 0.03) among Asian participants, but not with hyperglycemia risk. Incarceration was associated with incident hypertension (ARR 2.5, CI 1.2-5.3) among Asian subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that incarceration may be linked to chronic disease outcomes. Race/ethnic-specific results, while limited by small sample size, highlight the need for long-term studies on incarceration's influence among distinct US groups.

Utility of self-report antiretroviral adherence for predicting HIV viral load among persons who inject drugs in Hai Phong Vietnam: assessing differences by methamphetamine use.

ABSTRACTIn resource-limited settings, alternatives to HIV viral load testing may be necessary to monitor the health of people living with HIV. We assessed the utility of self-report antiretroviral therapy (ART) to screen for HIV viral load among persons who inject drugs in Hai Phong Vietnam, and consider differences by recent methamphetamine use. From 2016 to 2018 we recruited PWID through cross sectional surveys and collected self-report ART adherence and HIV viral load to estimate sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) and likelihood ratios (LR+, LR-) for self-reported ART adherence as a screening test for HIV viral load. We used three HIV viral load thresholds: < 1000, 500 and 250 copies/mL; laboratory-confirmed HIV viral load was the gold standard. Among 792 PWID recruited, PPV remained above 90% regardless of recent methamphetamine use with slightly higher PPV among those not reporting recent methamphetamine use. The results remained consistent across all three HIV viral load thresholds. Our findings suggest that when HIV viral load testing is not possible, self-reported ART adherence may inform decisions about how to prioritize HIV viral load testing among PWID. The high PPV values suggest self-reported high ART adherence indicates likely HIV viral suppression, irrespective of methamphetamine use.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Incarceration: The Impact on Sexual Risk-Taking, Sexually Transmitted Infections, and Depression Among Black Sexual Minority Men in HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 061.

Black men and people belonging to sexual minority groups are disproportionately impacted by criminal legal involvement and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Traumatic experiences are often associated with later criminal legal involvement, depression symptoms, sexual risk behavior, and STIs. Research on the joint influence of trauma and incarceration on STI risk among racial and/or sexual minority people is limited. This study tested the association between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and incarceration on sexual risk behavior and STI among Black sexual minority men, a population that may be at higher risk for contracting STIs. Using data from the HIV Prevention Trials Network 061 Study, a longitudinal study of adult Black sexual minority men in six U.S. cities (N = 855), we tested associations between past six-month incarceration and subsequent sexual risk behavior, STI, and depression symptoms, for those with and without pre-incarceration PTSD symptoms. PTSD symptoms were elevated among participants who reported Hispanic ethnicity, having sex with both men and women, and previous incarceration. Although there were not significant differences between recent incarceration and sexual risk for those with and without PTSD, incarceration was linked to some sexual risk behaviors regardless of PTSD symptoms. Among people with PTSD symptoms, there was a higher prevalence of sexual risk and depression symptoms, regardless of incarceration. These findings suggest a potentially compounding influence of PTSD symptoms and incarceration on sexual risk and infection among Black sexual minority men.

Mediation of the Effect of Incarceration on Selling Sex Among Black Sexual Minority Men and Black Transgender Women in the HPTN 061 Study.

Incarceration among Black sexual minority men and Black transgender women (BSMM/BTW) is disproportionately high in the United States. Limited research has documented the disruptive effect of incarceration on sexual networks and sexual partnership exchange among BSMM/BTW. We estimate the influence of incarceration on selling sex and mediating pathways among 1169 BSMM/BTW enrolled in the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 061 cohort to assess this relationship. Mediators investigated were social support, violence, illicit drug use, and distress due to experienced racism and homophobia. During the 6 months following baseline, 14% of the cohort was incarcerated, including 24% of BTW. After adjustment, recent incarceration was associated with 1.57 (95% CI 1.02, 2.42) times the risk of subsequently selling sex. The hypothesized mediators together explained 25% of the relationship, with an indirect effect risk ratio of 1.09 (95% CI 0.97, 1.24). Our results document an association and call for more research investigating mechanisms.

Does the Association Between Stimulant use and High Risk Sexual Behavior Vary by Injection Drug Use, Sexual Minority Status, or HIV Infection Status? A Meta-analysis.

There is strong evidence linking stimulant use, namely methamphetamine use, to sexual risk behavior among sexual minority men (SMM); we do not, however, have a good understanding of this relationship among other at-risk populations. In this study, we systematically reviewed associations between stimulant use (i.e., methamphetamine, crack cocaine, cocaine) and sexual risk behaviors among populations facing elevated risk of HIV transmission and acquisition (i.e., SMM, people who inject drugs (PWID), and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH)). Random-effects meta-analyses and sensitivity analyses that included crude and adjusted estimates separately were conducted to evaluate the impact of potential confounding variables. The results showed strong relationships between stimulant use and condomless sex, transactional sex, and multiple sexual partners. Results were broadly consistent when analyses were stratified by type of stimulant (methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and other stimulants) and risk group. Sensitivity analyses with confounding variables did not greatly impact results. The results indicate that stimulant use is associated with numerous sexual risk behaviors regardless of risk group, suggesting prevention efforts focused on reducing methamphetamine-related HIV risk should target a range of at-risk populations.

Racial/ethnic disparities in opioid overdose prevention: comparison of the naloxone care cascade in White, Latinx, and Black people who use opioids in New York City.

BACKGROUND: Drug overdose mortality is rising precipitously among Black people who use drugs. In NYC, the overdose mortality rate is now highest in Black (38.2 per 100,000) followed by the Latinx (33.6 per 100,000) and white (32.7 per 100,000) residents. Improved understanding of access to harm reduction including naloxone across racial/ethnic groups is warranted. METHODS: Using data from an ongoing study of people who use illicit opioids in NYC (N = 575), we quantified racial/ethnic differences in the naloxone care cascade. RESULTS: We observed gaps across the cascade overall in the cohort, including in naloxone training (66%), current possession (53%) daily access during using and non-using days (21%), 100% access during opioid use (20%), and complete protection (having naloxone and someone who could administer it present during 100% of opioid use events; 12%). Naloxone coverage was greater in white (training: 79%, possession: 62%, daily access: 33%, access during use: 27%, and complete protection: 13%, respectively) and Latinx (training: 67%, possession: 54%, daily access: 22%, access during use: 24%, and complete protection: 16%, respectively) versus Black (training: 59%, possession: 48%, daily access:13%, access during use: 12%, and complete protection: 8%, respectively) participants. Black participants, versus white participants, had disproportionately low odds of naloxone training (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.22-0.72). Among participants aged 51 years or older, Black race (versus white, the referent) was strongly associated with lower levels of being trained in naloxone use (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.07-0.63) and having 100% naloxone access during use (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13-0.91). Compared to white women, Black women had 0.27 times the odds of being trained in naloxone use (95% CI 0.10-0.72). CONCLUSIONS: There is insufficient protection by naloxone during opioid use, with disproportionately low access among Black people who use drugs, and a heightened disparity among older Black people and Black women.

The associations of incarceration and depression with healthcare experiences and utilization among Black men who have sex with men in HPTN 061.

Associations of incarceration with healthcare access and utilization among Black sexual minority men (BSMM) and differences in association among those with and without pre-incarceration symptoms of depression were measured. Secondary analysis using survey data from the longitudinal cohort HIV Prevention Trials Network 061 study was conducted among 1553 BSMM from six major U.S. cities from 2009 to 2011. We used modified log-binomial regression with robust standard errors to estimate associations of incarceration (reported at 6 month follow-up) on next six-month healthcare utilization and access (reported at the 12 month follow-up). We tested the significance of baseline depressive symptoms by incarceration interaction and reported differences in associations when observed. Participants with a history of incarceration were more likely to have depressive symptoms at baseline compared to those without. Recent incarceration was associated with almost twice the risk of mistrust in healthcare providers and emergency room utilization. Among men reporting depressive symptoms, a history of incarceration was associated with almost tripled risk of reporting providers do not communicate understandably. Among those with depression, one in five reported a missed visit regardless of incarceration status.

Lifetime Burden of Incarceration and Violence, Internalized Homophobia, and HIV/STI Risk Among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in the HPTN 061 Study.

Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) have disproportionate HIV/STI acquisition risk. Incarceration may increase exposure to violence and exacerbate psychosocial vulnerabilities, including internalized homophobia, which are associated with HIV/STI acquisition risk. Using data from HIV Prevention Trials Network 061 (N = 1553), we estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (APR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between lifetime burden of incarceration and HIV/STI risk outcomes. We measured associations between incarceration and HIV/STI risk outcomes with hypothesized mediators of recent violence victimization and internalized homophobia. Compared to those never incarcerated, those with 3-9 or ≥ 10 incarcerations had approximately 10% higher prevalence of multiple partnerships. Incarceration burden was associated with selling sex (1-2 incarcerations: APR: 1.52, 95% CI 1.14-2.03; 3-9: APR: 1.77, 95% CI 1.35-2.33; ≥ 10: APR: 1.85, 95% CI 1.37-2.51) and buying sex (≥ 10 incarcerations APR: 1.80, 95% CI 1.18-2.75). Compared to never incarcerated, 1-2 incarcerations appeared to be associated with current chlamydia (APR: 1.47, 95% CI 0.98-2.20) and 3-9 incarcerations appeared to be associated with current syphilis (APR: 1.46, 95% CI 0.92-2.30). Incarceration was independently associated with violence, which in turn was a correlate of transactional sex. Longitudinal research is warranted to clarify the role of incarceration in violence and HIV/STI risk in this population.

Longitudinal Associations between Police Harassment and Experiences of Violence among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in Six US Cities: the HPTN 061 Study.

Interactions with the police may result in police brutality, particularly for people of color. Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) face disproportionate risk of police contact and may experience elevated violence risk. We measured longitudinal associations between discriminatory police harassment (DPH) and subsequent risk of a range of interpersonal violence experiences, including intimate partner violence (IPV). In this study, we estimated associations between DPH motivated by racism, homophobia, or both, and subsequent violent experiences (being physically harassed, hit, threatened with weapons, and intimate partner violence) among BMSM. Bivariate and multivariable regression analyses were used to control for demographic and behavioral factors. Among 1160 BMSM included at 12-month follow-up, experiencing DPH motivated by racism and homophobia was associated with over four times the odds of being threatened with violence (AOR 4.85, 95% CI 3.20, 7.33), four times the odds of or experiencing violence defined as being punched, kicked, or beaten, or having an object thrown at them (AOR 4.51, 95% CI 2.82, 7.19), and nearly three times the odds of physical partner abuse (AOR 3.49, 95% CI 1.69, 7.19). Findings suggest that for BMSM, DPH is associated with the threat and experience of violence, with a dose-response relationship between DPH motivated by one or more causes. Given that BMSM are a population particularly vulnerable to both police harassment related to race and sexual orientation and violence coupled with stigma, additional research evaluating mechanisms linking these associations is needed in order to develop additional supportive interventions.

Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Awareness Among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men with a History of Criminal Justice Involvement in Six U.S. Cities: Findings from the HPTN 061 Study.

Transition from detention to the community for Black men who have sex with men with criminal justice involvement (BMSM-CJI) represents a particularly vulnerable period for HIV acquisition and transmission. We examined levels of HIV PrEP awareness among BMSM-CJI. PrEP awareness among BMSM-CJI was low (7.9%) with evidence of lower awareness levels among those with STI. There was evidence that HIV testing history was associated with higher PrEP awareness. Study findings highlight needs for further assessment of PrEP knowledge among BMSM-CJI. The strong association between HIV testing and PrEP awareness underscores an opportunity to integrate PrEP education within HIV/STI testing services.

Association of substance use disorders and drug overdose with adverse COVID-19 outcomes in New York City: January-October 2020.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that individuals with history of substance use disorder (SUD) are at increased risk of COVID-19, but little is known about relationships between SUDs, overdose and COVID-19 severity and mortality. This study investigated risks of severe COVID-19 among patients with SUDs. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of data from a hospital system in New York City. Patient records from 1 January to 26 October 2020 were included. We assessed positive COVID-19 tests, hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and death. Descriptive statistics and bivariable analyses compared the prevalence of COVID-19 by baseline characteristics. Logistic regression estimated unadjusted and sex-, age-, race- and comorbidity-adjusted odds ratios (AORs) for associations between SUD history, overdose history and outcomes. RESULTS: Of patients tested for COVID-19 (n = 188 653), 2.7% (n = 5107) had any history of SUD. Associations with hospitalization [AORs (95% confidence interval)] ranged from 1.78 (0.85-3.74) for cocaine use disorder (COUD) to 6.68 (4.33-10.33) for alcohol use disorder. Associations with ICU admission ranged from 0.57 (0.17-1.93) for COUD to 5.00 (3.02-8.30) for overdose. Associations with death ranged from 0.64 (0.14-2.84) for COUD to 3.03 (1.70-5.43) for overdose. DISCUSSION: Patients with histories of SUD and drug overdose may be at elevated risk of adverse COVID-19 outcomes.

The Joint Effect of Childhood Abuse and Homelessness on Substance Use in Adulthood.

BACKGROUND: Childhood abuse and homelessness are independently associated with substance use. Though childhood abuse and homelessness are strongly correlated, research on the joint effect of exposure to both traumatic life events on substance use is limited. Objective: To estimate independent and joint effects of childhood abuse and homelessness on substance use risk during emerging adulthood and adulthood. Methods: Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 12,288), we measured associations between exposure to physical or sexual abuse in childhood, homelessness in childhood or emerging adulthood, or exposure to both traumas and outcomes of binge drinking, marijuana use, cocaine use, methamphetamine use, and prescription opioid misuse during emerging adulthood (Wave III, ages 18-26 years) and adulthood (Wave IV, ages 24-32 years). Results: In adjusted analyses, exposure to childhood abuse alone, homelessness alone, and both childhood abuse and homelessness were significant correlates of most substance use indicators in emerging adulthood. Those jointly exposed to childhood abuse and homelessness had disproportionate risk of substance use, particularly use of cocaine (adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=4.25, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.70, 6.71) and methamphetamine (AOR = 6.59, 95% CI: 3.87, 11.21). The independent and combined effects of abuse and homelessness generally persisted into adulthood though associations tended to weaken. Conclusions/Importance: Those with exposure to abuse, homelessness, and both adverse outcomes constitute a high-risk population for substance use. Addressing abuse and homelessness should be a component of preventing drug risk for screening, treatment, and prevention efforts.

Perceived Stress, Sexually Transmitted Infection, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Examination of Differences in Associations Among Black and White Women.

INTRODUCTION: Perceived stress is linked to poor sexual and reproductive health, but its relationship with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is less clear. The elevated burden of stress and STI among Black women suggests a need to examine racial differences in the associations on additive and multiplicative scales. METHODS: Using data from Black and White female participants from wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (n = 4744), we examined the association of high stress (scores ≥6 on the Perceived Stress Scale-4) with self-reported past-year chlamydia diagnosis, combined curable STI, and lifetime pelvic inflammatory disease using modified Poisson regression with robust variance to estimate prevalence ratios and prevalence differences. Models included a race-stress product-interaction term and adjusted for sociodemographic variables, prior trauma and stressors, and mental health factors. RESULTS: In unadjusted analyses, stress was associated with STI among Black and White women. Adjusted associations were attenuated among White women; among Black women, stress remained associated with chlamydia (adjusted prevalence ratio, 2.22; 95% confidence interval, 1.30-3.79) and curable STI (adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.59; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.40), corresponding to approximately 5 excess cases of each. Among White women, poverty and personality traits were the strongest confounders; among Black women, poverty, trauma, and neurotic personality traits were the strongest confounders for chlamydia, although no factors seemed to confound the association with curable STI. CONCLUSIONS: Stress is independently linked to STI, particularly among Black women. Additional research with longitudinal data is needed to understand the role of stress on STI and address a significant health disparity.

Latent Profile Analysis of a Syndemic of Vulnerability Factors on Incident Sexually Transmitted Infection in a Cohort of Black Men Who Have Sex With Men Only and Black Men Who Have Sex With Men and Women in the HIV Prevention Trials Network 061 Study.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are important public health concerns among black men who have sex with men only (BMSMO), as well as those who have sex with both men and women (BMSMW). Sexually transmitted infections also increase risk of acquiring and HIV, which is also a critical concern. Compared with BMSMO, research shows that BMSMW experience elevated levels of HIV/STI vulnerability factors occurring at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and social/structural levels. These factors may work independently, increasing one's risk of engaging in high-risk sexual behaviors, but often work in a synergistic and reinforcing manner. The synergism and reinforcement of any combination of these factors are known as a syndemic, which increases HIV/STI risk. METHODS: Data from the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 061 study (n = 799) was used to conduct a latent profile analysis to identify unique combinations of risk factors that may form a syndemic and that may vary between BMSMO and BMSMW. We hypothesized that the convergence of syndemic factors would differ between groups and predict sexual risk and subsequent incident STI. RESULTS: For BMSMO who had a high sexual risk profile, the syndemic factors characterizing this group included perceived racism, incarceration, intimate partner violence, depression, and binge drinking. For BMSMW with a high sexual risk profile, the syndemic factors that characterized this group were incarceration, depression, and binge drinking. CONCLUSIONS: The current analysis highlights syndemic profiles that differentiated BMSMO and BMSMW from one another and supports the need for tailored interventions that address specific syndemic factors for both subpopulations of black men who have sex with men.

Past year and prior incarceration and HIV transmission risk among HIV-positive men who have sex with men in the US.

Three quarters of new HIV infections in the US are among men who have sex with men (MSM). In other populations, incarceration is a social determinant of elevations in viral load and HIV-related substance use and sex risk behavior. There has been limited research on incarceration and these HIV transmission risk determinants in HIV-positive MSM. We used the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) 2011-2012 follow-up survey to measure associations between past year and prior (more than one year ago) incarceration and HIV viral load and substance use and sex risk behavior among HIV-positive MSM (N = 532). Approximately 40% had ever been incarcerated, including 9% in the past year. In analyses adjusting for sociodemographic factors, past year and prior incarceration were strongly associated with detectable viral load (HIV-1 RNA >500 copies/mL) (past year adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 3.50 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.59, 7.71; prior AOR: 2.48 95% CI: 1.44, 4.29) and past 12 month injection drug use (AORs > 6), multiple sex partnerships (AORs > 1.8), and condomless sex in the context of substance use (AORs > 3). Past year incarceration also was strongly associated with alcohol and non-injection drug use (AOR > 2.5). Less than one in five HIV-positive MSM recently released from incarceration took advantage of a jail/prison re-entry health care program available to veterans. We need to reach HIV-positive MSM leaving jails and prisons to improve linkage to care and clinical outcomes and reduce transmission risk upon release.

City of love: group sex is associated with risks for HIV and other sexually transmissible infections among gay and bisexual men in Paris, France.

Background This study explored the relationships between participation in group sex and risk for HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs). METHODS: An anonymous online survey collected data from 580 gay and bisexual men using a mobile sex and dating application in Paris, France. Logistic regression analyses were conducted, which controlled for HIV status, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use and participants' sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Compared with men with no recent group sex experience, those reporting group sex in the 3 months before the survey (30.7% of the sample) were more likely to have had condomless receptive anal sex at least once in the same period [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.1-2.4, P = 0.02], condomless insertive anal sex (aOR=2.0, 95%CI: 2.4-8.7, P < 0.001) and substance use before or during sex (aOR=1.6, 95%CI: 1.1-2.3, P = 0.02). Even when controlling for condom use, men involved with group sex were more likely to be have been diagnosed with a bacterial STI in the previous year (aOR=2.1, 95%CI: 1.3-3.3, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Group sex remains a useful marker of risk among gay and bisexual men, but research is needed that moves beyond individual practice in order to assess the epidemiological networks comprising group sex and the risks they pose relevant to HIV and other STIs.

Associations of Adolescent Exposure to Severe Violence with Substance Use From Adolescence into Adulthood: Direct Versus Indirect Exposures.

BACKGROUND: While previous research has documented the impact of violence on substance use, none has looked longitudinally across the lifespan to measure independent effects of direct and indirect violence exposure. OBJECTIVE: To examine independent associations between adolescent experiences of violence and subsequent substance use in adolescence and adulthood in the United States. METHOD: Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 12,288), we examined being shot or stabbed ("experienced"), being threatened with a knife or gun ("threatened"), and seeing someone either shot or stabbed ("witnessed") during adolescence (Wave I) as correlates of substance use in adolescence and adulthood (Wave IV) via logistic regression. RESULTS: Violence exposure was a significant correlate of drug use in adolescence and several associations remained significant in adulthood. Witnessing violence had the highest point estimates in the adjusted models in adolescence for each substance use outcome (e.g., Cocaine-Adjusted Odds Ratios [AOR] = 2.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.21, 5.54). However, the point estimates for threatened with violence or experienced violence were highest in three out of the four drug outcomes in adulthood (e.g., Threatened with violence: Binge drinking-AOR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.08, 1.83). Conclusion/Importance: Adolescent exposure to witnessing violence had stronger effects on substance use in adolescence, while experiencing and being threatened with violence in adolescence had stronger effects on substance use in adulthood. Violence prevention efforts targeted toward adolescents may lead to a reduction in substance use throughout the life-course, and clinicians and policy makers should be aware of the downstream effects of violence experienced in adolescence.

Socioeconomic Vulnerability and Sexually Transmitted Infection Among Pregnant Haitian Women.

BACKGROUND: Despite evidence that education and poverty act through distinct pathways to influence sexually transmitted infection (STI), few studies have examined the unique, independent associations of these socioeconomic vulnerabilities with sexual risk behaviors and STI among women. METHODS: From August to October 2013, women at an antenatal clinic in Gressier, Haiti, were interviewed and tested for chlamydial infection, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis (N = 200). We measured low educational attainment as less than 9 years of schooling and currently living in poverty based on crowding, defined as more than 2 people sleeping in one room. We used logistic regression to estimate independent associations between each socioeconomic indicator and outcomes of sexual behaviors and STI. RESULTS: Approximately 29% of the sample had a current STI (chlamydia, 8.0%; gonorrhea, 3.0%; trichomoniasis, 20.5%), with 2.5% testing positive for more than 1 STI. Forty percent of the sample reported low educational attainment and 40% reported current poverty. Low educational attainment was associated with early risk behaviors, including twice the odds of earlier sexual debut (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.09; 95% confidence interval [CI],: 1.14-3.84). Poverty was associated with reporting the current main sexual partner to be nonmonogamous (AOR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.00-4.01) and current STI (AOR, 2.50; 95% CI, 1.26-4.98). CONCLUSIONS: Education and poverty seem to independently influence STI behaviors and infection, with low education associated with early sexual risk and poverty associated with current risk and infection. Improving women's educational attainment may be important in improving risk awareness, thereby reducing risky sexual behaviors and preventing a trajectory of STI risk.

Dissolution of Committed Partnerships during Incarceration and STI/HIV-Related Sexual Risk Behavior after Prison Release among African American Men.

Incarceration is strongly associated with post-release STI/HIV risk. One pathway linking incarceration and STI/HIV risk may be incarceration-related dissolution of protective network ties. Among African American men released from prison who were in committed partnerships with women at the time of incarceration (N = 207), we measured the association between committed partnership dissolution during incarceration and STI/HIV risk in the 4 weeks after release. Over one-quarter (28%) experienced incarceration-related partnership dissolution. In adjusted analyses, incarceration-related partnership dissolution was strongly associated with post-release binge drinking (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 4.2, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.4-15.5). Those who experienced incarceration-related partnership dissolution were much more likely to engage in multiple/concurrent partnerships or sex trade defined as buying or selling sex (64%) than those who returned to the partner (12%; AOR 20.1, 95% CI 3.4-175.6). Policies that promote maintenance of relationships during incarceration may be important for protecting health.

Potential drivers of HIV acquisition in African-American women related to mass incarceration: an agent-based modelling study.

BACKGROUND: The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Incarceration can increase HIV risk behaviors for individuals involved with the criminal justice system and may be a driver of HIV acquisition within the community. METHODS: We used an agent-based model to simulate HIV transmission in a sexual-contact network representing heterosexual African American men and women in Philadelphia to identify factors influencing the impact of male mass incarceration on HIV acquisition in women. The model was calibrated using surveillance data and assumed incarceration increased the number of sexual contacts and decreased HIV care engagement for men post-release. Incarceration of a partner increased the number of sexual contacts for women. We compared a counterfactual scenario with no incarceration to scenarios varying key parameters to determine what factors drove HIV acquisition in women. RESULTS: Setting the duration of male high-risk sexual behavior to two years post-release increased the number of HIV transmissions to women by more than 20%. Decreasing post-release HIV care engagement and increasing HIV acquisition risk attributable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) also increased the number of HIV transmissions to women. Changing the duration of risk behavior for women, the proportion of women engaging in higher risk behavior, and the relative risk of incarceration for HIV-infected men had minimal impact. CONCLUSION: The mass incarceration of African American men can increase HIV acquisition in African American women on a population-level through factors including post-release high-risk behaviors, disruption of HIV care engagement among formerly incarcerated men, and increased STI prevalence. These findings suggest that the most influential points of intervention may be programs seeking to reduce male risk behaviors and promote HIV care engagement post-release, as well as STI testing and treatment programs for recently incarcerated men, as well as women with incarcerated partners.