1. SAMPLE (N=11)
 Enrolled in the Women's Health Intervention Survey
 Incarcerated women
 18 years and older
Sexually active
Recruited from Pulaski State Prison in Pulaski, GA
DATA COLLECTION USING BASELINE SURVEY
All data were collected through face-to-face interviews
All data were analyzed through SPSS
PHQ-9 Vaildated instrument to asses depressive stpmtoms
Variables of interest for secondary data analysis were identified
Descriptive analysis was completed including mean and frequencies
Limitations
- Small sample sixe
- Self reported measures
- Recall bias
Methods
Results
Conclusions
This research was supported by the National Institute of
Minority Health and Health Development. Grant # 1P20MD006881
Special thanks to my mentor Dr. Holliday, the entire project
staff, and the women who participated in the original study.
Secondary investigation of this data was supported Howard
Hughes Research Associates Program HHMI Grant # 52007559
Acknowledgements
Background
Exploratory Analysis of the Correlation between
the Contraction of HIV in Incarcerated Women
Author: Kara A. Wilson Advisor: Dr. Rhonda Holliday
Morehouse School of Medicine
Spelman College Howard Hughes Program RAP
Objectives of Study
 Describe substance use behaviors, sexual behaviors, and mental
health of incarcerated women
 Complete Secondary Data Analysis using SPSS
Select References
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Tuyp, Benjamin J. "The Adverse Health Effects Of Persistent Cannabis Use:
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Newcomb, Michael E., et al. "Sexual Orientation, Gender, And Racial
Mimiaga, Matthew J., et al. "Substance Use Among HIV-Infected Patients
Engaged In Primary Care In The United States: Findings From The Centers
For AIDS Research Network Of Integrated Clinical Systems Cohort."
American Journal Of Public Health 103.8 (2013): 1457-1467. Academic
Search Complete. Web. 27 June 2014.
Lewis, Catherine F. "Post-traumatic stress disorder in HIV-positive
incarcerated women." Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and
the Law Online 33.4 (2005): 455-464.
Rich, Josiah D., et al. "Prevalence and incidence of HIV among incarcerated
and reincarcerated women in Rhode Island." JAIDS Journal of Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndromes 22.2 (1999): 161-166.
 STD History
 Demographics
 Abuse History
 Relationship History
 Sexual history/drug use
There are approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV in the
U.S. An estimated 50,000 new HIV infections occur in the U.S. each
year. Women account for one in four people living with HIV in the
United States. African American women and Latinas are
disproportionately affected at all stages of HIV infection. The vast
majority of newly diagnosed HIV-positive women contracted the virus
through heterosexual sex.
According to the CDC, inmates in jails and prisons across the
United States (US) are disproportionately affected by multiple health
problems, including HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs),
tuberculosis (TB), and viral hepatitis. Each year, an estimated 1 in 7
persons living with HIV passes through a correctional facility.
Incarcerated women are at increased risk for contracting HIV. Multiple
studies suggest an association between incarcerated women and the
contraction of HIV. The combination of gender inequality, stigma and
discrimination increases imprisoned women’s vulnerability to HIV
infection.
A number of studies have found an association between elevated
sexual risk behavior and the prevalence of psychiatric disorders and
psychiatric symptomatology. A lack of socioeconomic resources, for
example low education level is linked to the practice of riskier health
behaviors, which can lead to the contraction of HIV and other STDs.
These behaviors include earlier initiation of sexual activity and less
frequent use of condoms. Education is one of our key defenses against
the spread and impact of AIDS. People with higher levels of education
are more likely to use condoms and less likely to engage in casual sex
than their peers with less education.
Demographics
Variables Participants
Education 45.5% low education level
Marital Status 72.8% not married
Income 45.5% under $10,000/yr
Sexual Behavior
Variables Participants
Sexual Preference 63.6% heterosexual
# of people had sex with 45.5% 2-3 people
# of condom usage 9.1% none
# of times talk about sex
with partner
36.4% 2-5 times
# of people comfortable to
talk about sex with
9.1 % 2-5 people
Ever attended a class about
HIV/AIDS
54.5% yes
Substance Use
Variables Participants
Ever used alcohol 90.9% yes
Age at 1st alcohol use Mean: 13 years of age
Ever used marijuana 54.5% yes
Age at 1st marijuana use Mean 18 years of age
Felt guilty about drinking 45.5% no
Injected drugs without
prescription
27.3% yes
Past 3 months, had sex for
dugs
27.3% yes
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
Never Once a
Month
Les than
Once a
Week
Once a
Week
Several
mes a
Week
Daily
Alcohol
Marijuana
Substance Use 3 Months before Prison
In conclusion most participants engaged in
substance usage at a young age. More than 50% of the
participants used marijuana and over 75% of participants
used alcohol. In addition participants are affected by low
socioeconomic status. Almost half of participants have a low
education level and earn an annual income under $10,000.
Sexual risky behavior has also been associated with the
participants. Less than half of the participants have ever used
a condom or even attended and HIV/AIDs informational
class. There will be an ongoing study with a total of 200
participants.