ABSTRACT
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to use secondary data from qualitative interviews that examined the sexual behaviors, HIV attitudes, and condom use of 17 gay, bisexual, and transgender women housed in a protective custody unit in the Los Angeles County Jail (Harawa et al., 2010), to develop a better understanding of the consensual sexual behaviors of male prisoners. Design/methodology/approach Study eligibility included: report anal or oral sex with another male in the prior six months; speak and understand English; and incarcerated in the unit for at least two weeks. Data analysis consisted of an inductive, qualitative approach. Findings Findings illuminate participants' experiences concerning how the correctional facility shaped their sexual choices and behaviors, and the HIV-risk reduction strategies they employed. Originality/value This study contributes to the prison-sex literature, and is timely, given current federal and local HIV/AIDS priorities. Recommendations that address male prisoners' sexual and health needs and risks are posed.
Subject(s)
Prisoners/psychology , Prisoners/statistics & numerical data , Sexual Behavior/psychology , Sexual Behavior/statistics & numerical data , Sexual and Gender Minorities/psychology , Sexual and Gender Minorities/statistics & numerical data , Condoms/statistics & numerical data , HIV Infections/prevention & control , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Los Angeles , Male , Prisons , Sexuality/psychologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Black young men who have sex with men (BYMSM) experience higher human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence than their white and Latino counterparts. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to understand BYMSM's preferences for mobile phone-based HIV prevention and treatment in order to inform culturally tailored interventions to reduce the spread of HIV and improve HIV treatment outcomes in this population. METHODS: Qualitative focus groups (N=6) with BYMSM aged 18-29 years (N=41; 46%, 19/41 HIV-positive) were conducted to elucidate their preferences for the design and delivery of mobile phone-based HIV prevention and treatment interventions. A modified grounded theory approach to data analysis was undertaken using ATLAS.ti textual analysis software. RESULTS: Participants preferred holistic health interventions that did not focus exclusively on HIV prevention and treatment. Issues of privacy and confidentiality were paramount. Participants preferred functionality that enables discreet connections to culturally competent health educators and treatment providers who can address the range of health and psychosocial concerns faced by BYMSM. CONCLUSIONS: Mobile phone-based HIV prevention has the potential to increase engagement with HIV prevention and treatment resources among BYMSM. For these approaches to be successful, researchers must include BYMSM in the design and creation of these interventions.
