Dual Incarceration and Condom Use in Committed Relationships

Abstract

Incarceration fractures relationship ties and has been associated with unprotected sex. Relationships where both individuals have a history of incarceration (dual incarceration) may face even greater disruption and involve more unprotected sex than relationships where only one individual has been incarcerated. We sought to determine whether dual incarceration is associated with condom use, and whether this association varies by relationship type. Data come from 499 sexual partnerships reported by 210 individuals with a history of incarceration. We used generalized estimating equations to examine whether dual incarceration was associated with condom use after controlling for individual and relationship characteristics. Interaction terms between dual incarceration and relationship commitment were also examined. Among currently committed relationships, dual incarceration was associated with inconsistent condom use (AOR: 4.33; 95% CI: 1.02, 18.45). Dual incarceration did not affect condom use in never committed relationships. Reducing incarcerations may positively impact committed relationships and subsequently decrease HIV-related risk.

Social Determination of HIV: Women’s Relationship Work in the Context of Mass Incarceration and Housing Vulnerability

“…In so doing, we have also contributed in several ways to a growing literature on mass incarceration and HIV. First, when operationalizing mass incarceration, this literature has focused almost exclusively on self or partner incarceration, demonstrating associations with or the pathways through which they produce "HIV risk": unprotected sex, higher numbers of lifetime partners, concurrency, relationship instability, or partnership dissolution [34][35][36][37][38]. We have instead conceptualized mass incarceration broadly, as it informs life in poor, segregated, urban neighborhoods and in turn, shapes vulnerability to HIV among the women who live there.…”

“…More recently, studies have sought to identify the pathways through which incarceration may lead to HIV. Many of these have analyzed self or partner incarceration and have focused on the impacts of incarceration on partner turnover, and relationship instability, concurrency, and/or dissolution [34][35][36][37][38]. Qualitative data contributes further to understanding these impacts.…”

Women's Health in the Era of Mass Incarceration

“…Much of the research in this area focuses on how the incarceration of a romantic partner is associated with the sexual and reproductive health of women. This research suggests that partner incarceration is associated with far higher risks of contracting a sexually transmitted infection for women (Khan et al 2011, Rogers et al 2012 and that this association is explained by elevated rates of partner concurrency (Adimora et al 2003, Khan et al 2008) and infrequent or inconsistent condom use (Groves et al 2017). Although the associational basis of this research area is strong, the reality is that none of the studies in this area use the sorts of data necessary to establish plausibly causal effects of romantic partner incarceration on women's sexual and reproductive health.…”