Recently Arrested Adolescents are at High Risk for Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Abstract

Background-Adolescent offenders may be at high risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). With previous research and interventions focused on incarcerated adolescents, data are needed on STD prevalence and risk factors among newly arrested youth released to the community, a far larger subgroup.

The Consequences of Juvenile Detention Reform for Mental Health and Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Among Detained Youth

“…This finding is in contrast to research regarding STI screening for arrested, nondetained youth [26,27]. Belenko and colleagues found that arrested, nondetained youth had similar rates of STI as did detained youth [26 -28].…”

The Impact of Delinquency on Young Adult Sexual Risk Behaviors and Sexually Transmitted Infections

“…Adolescent medicine clinicians are uniquely suited to question and provide behavioral interventions with individual patients who engage in consistent delinquent and sexual risk behaviors. Third, Romero and colleagues [17] are calling for a healthcare coordination for youth in juvenile justice. We concur with their recommendation, and believe care coordination is also warranted with general population youth reporting consistent delinquency involvement.…”

“…The association between delinquency and STI/sexual risk behavior is dependent on the population studied. For instance, youth involved in juvenile justice have been found to engage in increased sexual risk behavior and to be at particular risk for STI/HIV [14][15][16][17]. STI rates are also quite high among youth who are detained or incarcerated [18][19][20].…”

Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Association between Arrest and Unprotected Anal Sex among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men: The P18 Cohort Study

“…Among juvenile arrestees in Florida, 10.2 % reported multiple concurrent partners, 41.7 % had three or more partners in their lifetime, and 15.3 % reported using condoms seldom or never; 13.2 % tested positive for gonorrhea and/or chlamydia. 18 Among a communitybased sample of high-risk adolescents and young adult men and women, lifetime arrest histories were associated with substance use, substance use during sex, unprotected sex, and a lifetime history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 19 Among MSM in the NHBS, arrest in the past 12 months was significantly associated with a higher odds of non-injection and injection drug use, unprotected anal sex (UAS), exchanging sex, and six or more male sex partners in the last 12 months.…”