Fractured and delayed: A qualitative analysis of disruptions in care for gynecologic malignancies during incarceration.

OBJECTIVE: Women are experiencing growing rates of incarceration at twice the pace of that for men. Additionally, one-third will be older than 55 years of age by the end of the decade. Women who are incarcerated experience a higher prevalence of gynecologic malignancies and present with higher stage disease, which may be contributing to the greater mortality from cancer than the age-adjusted US population. Limited access to guideline-recommended screening and prevention and resource limitations across correctional facilities may result in gynecologic cancer disparities. Reasons for delayed gynecologic cancer care in prisons remain underexplored. Therefore, we sought to identify contributors to delayed gynecologic cancer care among women experiencing incarceration. METHODS: Women at a single tertiary center in the Southeastern U.S. who were incarcerated and were diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer during 2014-2021 were identified in the electronic medical record. Note text was extracted and contributors to delay were identified and categorized using the RADaR method. Descriptive statistics were used to assess quantitative data. RESULTS: 14 patients were identified with a total of 14,879 text excerpts. Data reduction was performed to identify excerpts that were relevant to the central research question resulting in 175 relevant note excerpts. Delays prior to the tertiary care visit included patient and institutional contributors. Delays during transition from the tertiary center to prison included discharge planning and loss to follow-up during/after incarceration. Transportation, authorization, and restraints were concrete contributors. Abstract contributors included communication, and the patient's emotional experience. CONCLUSIONS: We identify myriad contributors to delayed or fractured gynecologic cancer care in women experiencing incarceration. The impact of these issues warrants further study and intervention to improve care.

PrEP and HIV prevention decision-making among social network members of women who have experienced incarceration: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACTIncarceration and HIV are a syndemic for US women, yet very few women who have experienced incarceration use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 32 participants recruited by women who have experienced incarceration from their social networks, informed by the modified social ecological model for PrEP. Emergent themes from the interviews included individual-level (low personal HIV risk assessment, personal responsibility for HIV prevention, and decisions in addiction versus recovery), network-level (influential sex partners and the importance of trust, supportive treatment peers, and high-risk but indifferent drug use networks), community-level (stigma, and mitigation of stigma in supportive substance use disorder treatment environments), and public policy-level (incarceration and PrEP cost and access) determinants. PrEP interventions for women who have experienced incarceration and their networks will need to incorporate contingency planning into HIV risk assessment, navigate complex network dynamics, and be situated in trusted contexts to address structural barriers.

The influence of social relationships on PrEP attitudes among women with incarceration experience in the Southeastern USA.

Women who have experienced incarceration face a disproportionately high risk of acquiring HIV. Despite efficacy of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV, very few women with incarceration histories are using PrEP. Our objective was to learn how sexual, drug-use and social relationships shape decisions about PrEP among women who have experienced incarceration. We used an inductive approach to analyse data from four focus groups undertaken with women who had previously experienced incarceration recruited from three community-based organisations. We identified public policy (medical distrust, lack of prevention in prisons and jails, and cost and coverage of PrEP); community (incarceration stigma, gossip as prevention); social and sexual network (positive peer and parenting relationships, distrust of sexual partners, and networks as a source of risk); and individual-level (active addiction or recovery, change after incarceration, and medical concerns) factors influencing the use of PrEP. Actions and interventions to improve PrEP uptake among women who have experienced incarceration must take account of the multilevel context of HIV prevention decisions.

Test Accuracy of Human Papillomavirus in Urine for Detection of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia.

The objective was to assess the diagnostic test accuracy of high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing of self-collected urine and cervicovaginal samples for the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or higher (CIN2+). We recruited a convenience sample of women 25 to 65 years of age who were undergoing clinically indicated colposcopy at two medical centers in North Carolina between November 2016 and January 2019. Women with normal cytology results and positive hrHPV results were also recruited. Urine samples, self-collected cervicovaginal samples, provider-collected cervical samples, and cervical biopsy samples were obtained from all enrolled women. Samples were tested for hrHPV DNA using the Onclarity assay (Becton Dickinson, Sparks, MD). Biopsy samples were histologically graded as CIN2+ or

Incarceration and Number of Sexual Partners After Incarceration Among Vulnerable US Women, 2007-2017.

Objectives. To examine whether women's incarceration increases numbers of total and new sexual partners.Methods. US women with or at risk for HIV in a multicenter cohort study answered incarceration and sexual partner questions semiannually between 2007 and 2017. We used marginal structural models to compare total and new partners at visits not following incarceration with all visits following incarceration and visits immediately following incarceration. Covariates included demographics, HIV status, sex exchange, drug or alcohol use, and housing instability.Results. Of the 3180 participants, 155 were incarcerated. Women reported 2 partners, 3 or more partners, and new partners at 5.2%, 5.2%, and 9.3% of visits, respectively. Relative to visits not occurring after incarceration, odds ratios were 2.41 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.20, 4.85) for 2 partners, 2.03 (95% CI = 0.97, 4.26) for 3 or more partners, and 3.24 (95% CI = 1.69, 6.22) for new partners at visits immediately after incarceration. Odds ratios were similar for all visits following incarceration.Conclusions. Women had more total partners and new partners immediately and at all visits following incarceration after confounders and loss to follow-up had been taken into account.

Sexual Risk and Criminal Justice Involvement Among Women Who Use Drugs.

Criminal justice system involvement among US women is associated with increased risk for HIV/sexually transmitted infections, yet effects of different forms of criminal justice involvement on intimate relationships are not well understood. This study examined associations between arrest, probation, and jail incarceration on the number of sexual partners, sexual concurrency, and consistent condom use for drug-using women (n = 631) in Oakland, California. We used logistic and negative binomial regression and adjusted for demographics, sex exchange and drug use. Probation was associated with higher rates of sexual partnership and concurrency (IRR 1.87, 95% CI [1.11, 3.15]; OR 3.64, 95% CI [1.08, 12.20]). Incarceration lasting over 12 weeks was associated with higher rates of sexual partnership (IRR 2.23, 95% CI [1.41, 3.51]). Women incarcerated once in the past year had higher odds of concurrency (OR 2.15, 95% CI [1.01, 4.57]). Our results reinforce the need for risk-reduction interventions and criminal justice diversion for women who use drugs.

Access to Health Care Services among Young People Exchanging Sex in Detroit.

Within the related epidemics of sex exchange, drug use, and poverty, access to health care is shaped by intersecting identities, policy, and infrastructure. This study uses a unique survey sample of young adults in Detroit, who are exchanging sex on the street, in strip clubs, and at after-hours parties and other social clubs. Factors predicting access to free or affordable health care services, such as venue, patterns of sexual exchange influence, drug use and access to transportation, were examined using multivariable logistic regression and qualitative comparative analysis. The most significant predictors of low access to health care services were unstable housing and lack of access to reliable transportation. In addition, working on the street was associated with decreased access to services. Coordinated policy and programming changes are needed to increase health care access to this group, including improved access to transportation, housing, and employment, and integration of health care services.

Resolving Health Disparities for Women Involved in the Criminal Justice System.

Women who are involved in the criminal justice system experience poorer reproductive health outcomes. Resolving this inequality will require addressing reproductive health disparities facing incarcerated women, improving the health of criminal justice-involved women in the community, and preventing engagement of women with the criminal justice system altogether.

Criminal Justice Involvement among Young People Exchanging Sex in Detroit.

For young adult sex workers, the risk of arrest and incarceration are dramatically influenced by the venue of sex exchange and individual and neighborhood characteristics. Using a unique venue-based survey sample of young adults in Detroit who are exchanging sex, multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify associations with arrest and incarceration. Criminal justice involvement was normative, and risk was increased by working on the street venue, using drugs, lacking stable housing, juvenile arrest or incarceration, dropping out of school before age 18, and neighborhood characteristics. Several promising points of intervention could reduce criminal justice involvement for young adults exchanging sex.

Care Transitions for Incarcerated Pregnant People: A Needs Assessment.

Incarcerated pregnant people face significant barriers when seeking health care services in prisons and jails, but little is known about their transitions from state prison health care systems to outside hospitals. This project analyzed current policies and procedures for care transitions for incarcerated people and presents policy recommendations to address issues of concern. We conducted in-depth interviews with stakeholders at a state prison, academic hospital, and private hospital to identify the barriers and facilitators to care transitions. Themes emerging from these interviews were operational, including medical records, communication, and education; and structural, including implicit biases and care of marginalized groups. These findings are likely applicable to similar facilities throughout the United States. A multipronged, interdisciplinary approach is needed to address challenges of care transitions.

Comparing Cervical Cancer Screening Strategies in an Incarcerated Population.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) infection, and cervical cancer in a high-risk, underscreened incarcerated population and to evaluate the performance of current cervical cancer screening options to detect cervical precancer (CIN 2/3) in this population. Study Design: Deidentified data were obtained from all cytological, hrHPV DNA, and histopathological testing of cervical biopsies performed on people incarcerated at the North Carolina Correctional Institute for Women between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2020. These were linked to corresponding demographic data. The proportions of histopathological diagnoses of CIN2+ and CIN3+ immediately preceded by abnormal cytology testing or hrHPV testing were determined, and prevalence differences and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: A total of 15,319 individuals incarcerated at the North Carolina Correctional Institute for Women had at least one cytology result during 2013-2020. Of these, 2,829 (18%) had abnormal cervical cytology, and 3,724 (24.3%) had positive hrHPV testing. The detection of CIN2+ was 95.9% by preceding abnormal cervical cytology, 89.9% by preceding positive hrHPV testing (p = 0.03), and 96.5% by preceding positive co-testing. The detection rate of CIN3+ was 96.6% by preceding abnormal cervical cytology, 90.8% by preceding positive hrHPV testing (p = 0.12), and 96.6% by positive co-testing. Conclusion: In our sample, primary cytology and co-testing detected CIN2+ at higher rates when compared with primary hrHPV testing. This reinforces that incarcerated populations do not fall into average-risk populations for which current cervical cancer screening options are designed, which should be considered when performing screening in this population.

Endocarditis, drug use and biological sex: A statewide analysis comparing sex differences in drug use-associated infective endocarditis with other drug-related harms.

OBJECTIVES: Hospitalizations for drug use-associated infective endocarditis (DUA-IE) have risen sharply across the United States over the past decade. The sex composition of DUA-IE remains less clear, and studies have indicated a possible shift to more females. We aimed to compare more recent statewide hospitalization rates for DUA-IE in females versus males and contextualize them among other drug-related harms in North Carolina (NC). METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis using public health datasets of all NC hospital discharges for infective endocarditis from 2016 to 2020. Drug use-related hospitalizations were identified using ICD-10-CM codes. Discharge rates by year and sex for DUA-IE and non-DUA-IE were calculated and compared to fatal overdoses and acute hepatitis C (HCV). Temporal, demographic, and pregnancy trends were also assessed. RESULTS: Hospitalizations rates for DUA-IE were 9.7 per 100,000 over the five-year period, and 1.2 times higher among females than males. Females composed 57% of DUA-IE hospitalizations over the period. Conversely, fatal overdose, acute HCV, and non-DUA-IE hospitalization rates were higher among males. Age, county of residence, and pregnancy status did not explain the higher DUA-IE among females. CONCLUSION: Females now comprise the majority of DUA-IE hospitalizations in NC, unlike other drug-related harms. No clear demographic or geographic associations were found, and further research is needed to explain this phenomenon. Preventing invasive infections among females who inject drugs should be prioritized.

Jenna's Project: Preventing Overdose and Improving Recovery Outcomes for Women Leaving Incarcerated Settings during Pregnancy and Postpartum Periods.

OBJECTIVES: For people with opioid use disorder (OUD), transitioning from pregnancy to postpartum and from incarceration to the community is a time of increased risk for opioid overdose. This prospective project evaluated the extent of Jenna's Project's success in preventing overdoses and improving recovery outcomes by coordinating postrelease care in incarcerated OUD perinatal patients. METHODS: Participants (N = 132) were pregnant or postpartum (1 year postdelivery) with OUD during incarceration and self-referred for postrelease services. From March 2020 to October 2021, participants could receive up to 6 months of postincarceration care coordination services (eg, regular communication, transportation, emergency housing, SUD treatment), medication to treat OUD (MOUD) and other treatment services. Outcomes included verified overdose (fatal), self-reported nonfatal overdose, reincarceration, active Medicaid, receipt of MOUD, presence of children living with participants, open Child Protective Services cases, and number of referrals for services. RESULTS: There were 0 nonfatal and 0 fatal overdoses at both 1 and 6 months postrelease, and 3 of 132 (2%) returned to incarceration. Significantly fewer participants had Medicaid at release (36%) and at 6 months postrelease (60%) than before incarceration (87%) (P < 0.001 for all 3 pairwise comparisons). At 6 months postrelease, significantly more participants reported MOUD receipt (51%) compared with before incarceration (39%) (P < 0.001). There was no significant change in the number of open Child Protective Services cases. Referrals for childcare or parenting services were the most common referrals provided. CONCLUSION: Immediate postrelease care coordination for pregnant and postpartum women with OUD was feasible and effective in preventing overdose, reincarceration, and promoting recovery outcomes.

Declining Prevalence of Trichomonas vaginalis Diagnosed by Wet Mount in a Cohort of U.S. Women With and Without HIV.

Background: Women living with HIV (WLWH) are often coinfected with Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), and annual screening is recommended. Our goal was to assess differences in TV prevalence at study entry and over time in enrollment cohorts of the Women's Interagency HIV Study. Methods: In a multisite study, TV was diagnosed by wet mount microscopy. Prevalence was determined across four enrollment waves: 1994-1995, 2001-2002, 2011-2012, and 2013-2015. Generalized estimating equation multivariable logistic regression models assessed changes in visit prevalence across waves after controlling for HIV disease severity and other risks. Results: At 63,824 person-visits (3,508 WLWH and 1,262 women without HIV), TV was diagnosed by wet mount at 1979 visits (3.1%). After multivariable adjustment, HIV status was not associated with TV detection, which was more common among younger women, women with multiple partners, and irregular condom use. All enrollment waves showed a decline in TV detection over time, although p-value for trend did not reach significance for most recent waves. To explore the potential utility of screening among WLWH, we assessed rates of TV detection among women without appreciable vaginal discharge on examination. Initial TV prevalence among asymptomatic women was 3.5%, and prevalence decreased to 0.5%-1% in the most recent wave (2013-2015) (p-trend <0.0001). Conclusions: In this cohort, TV rates are low among WLWH, and HIV does not increase TV risk. Screening may benefit newly diagnosed WLWH, women with risk factors, or those receiving care sporadically but is unlikely to further reduce the low rate of TV among women in care, especially older women without multiple partners. The clinical trials registration number for WIHS is NCT00000797.

Incarceration and sexual risk: examining the relationship between men's involvement in the criminal justice system and risky sexual behavior.

In this study, we used data from Add Health Waves II and III to compare men who had been incarcerated to those who had not, and examined whether incarceration was associated with increased numbers of sexual partners and increased odds of concurrent partnerships. We used multivariate regression and propensity-score matching to compare sexual behavior of Wave III male respondents who had been incarcerated with those who had not, and compared sexual behavior at Wave II to identify differences in sexual behavior prior to incarceration. Incarceration was associated with an increased rate of lifetime sexual partnership, but this was attenuated by substance use. Criminal justice involvement was associated with increased odds of having partners who report concurrent partnerships, but no further increase was seen with incarceration. There were no significant sexual behavior differences prior to incarceration. These results suggest that the criminal justice system and substance use may interact to shape sexual behavior.

Safekeeping of Pregnant People Experiencing Incarceration.

Safekeeping involves transferring individuals from jails to prisons without the presence of a conviction. In North Carolina, safekeeping is used for pregnant people with the aim of providing better prenatal care. We interviewed 14 stakeholders in the safekeeping process including sheriffs, clinicians, advocates, and lawyers. Three key themes emerged: jails' inability to provide care for pregnant individuals; safekeeping as an additional punishment to incarceration; and differing attitudes on the necessity of safekeeping. Participants perceived that while there may be some benefits of safekeeping such as enhanced prenatal care, safekeeping can also lead to worsened conditions for pregnant people experiencing incarceration.

Incarceration status at buprenorphine initiation and OUD treatment outcomes during pregnancy.

Introduction: Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a leading cause of pregnancy-associated deaths. OUD treatment with buprenorphine (BUP) reduces overdose risk and improves perinatal outcomes. Incarceration can be a barrier to receipt of OUD treatment during pregnancy and postpartum. The objective of this study was to examine differences in BUP continuation at delivery by patients' incarceration status at the time of BUP initiation. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort study of pregnant patients with OUD who delivered at an academic medical center and initiated BUP between January 1, 2018, and March 30, 2020. The primary outcome was BUP continuation at delivery, abstracted from the state prescription monitoring program and electronic medical record, along with incarceration status. Bivariate analysis was used to assess the relationship between BUP continuation and incarceration status. Results: Our sample included 76 patients, with 62% of patients incarcerated at BUP initiation (n = 47). Among the entire sample, 90.7% (n = 68) received BUP at delivery. Among patients who were incarcerated at BUP initiation, 97% remained on BUP at delivery; among patients who were not incarcerated at BUP initiation, 79% remained on BUP at delivery (p = 0.02). Conclusion: In our sample from a health system housing a care model for pregnant and parenting people with OUD with local jail outreach, BUP continuation rates at delivery were high, both for patients who were and were not incarcerated at BUP initiation. Findings are intended to inform future work to develop and evaluate evidence-based, patient-centered interventions to expand OUD treatment access for incarcerated communities.

"We don't wanna birth it here": A qualitative study of Southern jail personnel approaches to pregnancy.

Each year, approximately 55,000 pregnant people are incarcerated in US jails. To learn about pregnancy and postpartum care in jails, we analyzed 34 qualitative interviews with jail personnel from facilities in five Southeastern US states. Themes included jail processes unique to pregnancy and burden on jails produced by liability and limited resources. Societal attitudes such as stigma, distrust of pregnant people, and a focus on fetal well-being were also important themes. Jail-community partnerships may mitigate the effects of scarce resources and improve jail perinatal care. Better community safety nets that decrease contact with jails are needed to improve pregnancy outcomes.

Ethical inclusion: Risks and benefits of research from the perspective of perinatal people with opioid use disorders who have experienced incarceration.

BACKGROUND: Research ethics guidelines and emphasis on representation in research guide the inclusion of marginalized groups, including people with perinatal opioid use disorders (OUD) and people experiencing incarceration in the United States. However, insights from participants regarding the risks and benefits of participation are not adequately considered. The aim of this study was to examine the risks and benefits of research participation from the perspective of pregnant/postpartum people with OUD who have experienced incarceration. DESIGN: We recruited people who had experience with perinatal incarceration and were either currently pregnant or postpartum, and at least 18 years old. All participants met the clinical criteria for OUD. Our study did not have exclusion criteria based on gender, race, or ethnicity. SETTING: Participants were either currently incarcerated at the North Carolina Correctional Institute for Women in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States or had previously experienced perinatal incarceration and were recruited from a perinatal substance use disorder treatment program located in North Carolina. PARTICIPANTS: Between 9/2021-4/2022, we completed 12 interviews with pregnant/postpartum people with OUD, approximately half who were currently incarcerated and half with a recent history of perinatal incarceration. INTERVENTION/MEASUREMENT: Interviews were conducted via Webex phone or video. The interviews followed a scripted interview guide and lasted one hour on average. Interview transcripts were analyzed using the Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction technique to produce an overarching thematic framework. FINDINGS: Our analysis identified benefits, including the personal advantage of self-expression, helping others and contributing to change, and financial incentives. Risks included stigma and breach of confidentiality, misunderstanding of the distinction between research and advocacy, and limited ability to share their whole experience. CONCLUSIONS: Participant-identified benefits of research mirrored those from other marginalized populations, though participant-identified risks were novel and nuanced. Recruitment and consent should move beyond normative research ethics committees protocol language to consider the perspectives of participants.

Incidence of new outpatient long-acting reversible contraceptive insertions among a commercially insured, US population from 2010 to 2020.

Objectives: Characterize new use of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs), highly effective contraceptive methods, in a broad population over time. Study Design: We constructed a retrospective cohort of commercially insured individuals aged 15 to 54 years from 2010 to 2020 and estimated monthly incidence of new LARC insertions. Results: The monthly standardized incidence increased from 6.0 insertions per 10,000 individuals in January 2010 to 14.1 in December 2020, with a dip in insertions after March 2020. Hormonal intrauterine devices were consistently the most inserted LARC; implants were increasingly favored over time. Conclusions: LARCs are increasingly popular forms of contraception among commercially insured individuals. Implications: Given the increasing popularity, ensuring access to LARCs is critical.