Dissolution of Primary Intimate Relationships during Incarceration and Associations with Post-Release STI/HIV Risk Behavior in a Southeastern City

Filed under: Sexual Behavior, Contraceptive Use, and Reproductive Health

Khan, Maria R.; Behrend, Lindy; Adimora, Adaora A.; Weir, Sharon S.; Tisdale, Caroline; & Wohl, David A. (2011). Dissolution of Primary Intimate Relationships during Incarceration and Associations with Post-Release STI/HIV Risk Behavior in a Southeastern City. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 38(1), 43-7. NIHMSID: NIHMS327258

Reference Type:
Journal Article

Secondary Title:

Series Title:

Author(s):
Khan, Maria R.
Behrend, Lindy
Adimora, Adaora A.
Weir, Sharon S.
Tisdale, Caroline
Wohl, David A.

Editor(s):

Series Author(s):

Year Published:
2011

Date Published:

Journal Name:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Volume Number:
38

Issue Number:
1

Start Page Number:
43-7

End Page Number:

Edition:
20100825

Series Volume:

Publisher:

City of Publication:

ISSN/ISBN:

DOI:
10.1097/OLQ.0b013e3181e969d0

PMCID:

NIHMSID:
NIHMS327258

Reference ID:
4695

Miscellaneous:

Abstract:

Background: Incarceration is associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It may contribute to STI/HIV by disrupting primary intimate relationships that protect against high-risk partnerships. Methods: In an urban sample of men (N = 229) and women (N = 144) in North Carolina, we assessed how often respondents experienced the dissolution of a primary intimate relationship at the time of their own (among men) or their partner's (among women) incarceration. We then measured the association between dissolution of relationships during incarceration and STI/HIV-related risk behaviors. Results: Among men who had ever been incarcerated for 1 month or longer (N = 72), 43% (N = 31) had a marital or nonmarital primary partner at the time of the longest prior sentence. Among women, 22% (N = 31) had ever had a primary partner who had been incarcerated for 1 month or longer. Of men and women who were in a relationship at the time of a prior incarceration of 1 month or longer (N = 62), more than 40% of men and 30% of women reported that the relationship ended during the incarceration. In analyses adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and crack/cocaine use, loss of a partner during incarceration was associated with nearly 3 times the prevalence of having 2 or more new partners in the 4 weeks before the survey (prevalence ratio: 2.80, 95% confidence interval: 1.13-6.96). Conclusions: In this sample, incarceration disrupted substantial proportions of primary relationships and dissolution of those relationships was associated with subsequent STI/HIV risk. The results highlight the need for further research to investigate the effects of incarceration on relationships and health.

Keyword(s):
Sexual Behavior, Contraceptive Use, and Reproductive Health

URL:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/OLQ.0b013e3181e969d0

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Citation:

Khan, Maria R.; Behrend, Lindy; Adimora, Adaora A.; Weir, Sharon S.; Tisdale, Caroline; & Wohl, David A. (2011). Dissolution of Primary Intimate Relationships during Incarceration and Associations with Post-Release STI/HIV Risk Behavior in a Southeastern City. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, 38(1), 43-7. NIHMSID: NIHMS327258