Juvenile offenders require new safe-sex interventions, researchers say

Research recently published in the Journal of Correctional Health Care indicates that juvenile offenders who return to their communities after being charged with drug-related crimes do not respond to traditional interventions for safe sex or HIV prevention. Therefore, the investigators believe that new tactics are needed to address the high risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV among these young individuals.

Experts conducted a study in which 57 juvenile offenders were assigned to educational programs that were based on either HIV prevention or general health issues. Subsequent behavioral evaluations showed that there were no significant changes in condom use or safe sex practices among participants in either subset. However, the findings indicated that the prevalence of HIV testing increased in both groups.

"Our findings underscore the need for more programs for these youths who have the same HIV risk as their jailed or detained peers, yet have more opportunities to engage in risky sexual behavior," lead researcher Marina Tolou-Shams said.

She noted that family-based interventions may be more effective in reducing instances of unprotected sex, intercourse with multiple partners or drug and alcohol abuse. The expert said that these behaviors account for the high STD risk among young offenders.