HIV Prevention in Rural Appalachian Jails: Implications for Re-entry Risk Reduction Among Women Who Use Drugs

Prostitution in the shadow of life-long sexual abuse: Arab women's retrospective experiences

The present study uses the life-course and intersectionality perspectives to explore the meaning that aging Arab women attribute to their lived experiences of life-long sexual abuse in the shadow of engaging in prostitution. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to analyze the narratives of 10 older Arab women in Israel who were engaged in prostitution. Four themes emerged: experiencing childhood in the shadow of sexual abuse, becoming a prostitute, being entrapped in prostitution, and settling accounts with the native culture. Women aging in prostitution experience a harsh reality of abuse and loss. The present study points to multiple channels of abuse throughout the life course, from childhood until old age.

Health Education Initiatives for People Who Have Experienced Prison: A Narrative Review

Due to the selectiveness of criminal systems and the context of social vulnerability, there is a high prevalence of health problems among individuals with a history of incarceration. When there is an insufficient level of health care, prior clinical conditions can worsen, and health education can be a response to this problem. Health education is a process of building health knowledge that is intended to facilitate thematic appropriation by the population that enables people to access, understand, and use health-related information for health improvement. In the context of criminal justice, health education can contribute to the successful transition of people who have experienced prison from their custody to the community setting. This study aimed to identify, synthesize, and critically evaluate peer-reviewed evidence concerning health education initiatives developed during or after incarceration aimed at people released from prison. A narrative review methodology was used to analyze 19 studies about health education interventions for prisoners or people who were arrested. Initiatives were identified in five countries, which showed differences in approaches, with motivational interviewing and group sessions standing out in the studies. All of them were grouped into the following themes: HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, alcohol, opioids and other substances, tuberculosis, and women's health. We have not performed a quality assessment of the studies included (using checklists such as PRISMA, AMSTAR, or SANRA) as this study is a narrative review and was not intended to be a systematic review or meta-analysis. This review has the potential impact of informing future health education initiatives and policies for individuals transitioning from prison.

Motivational interviewing for substance use reduction

BACKGROUND

Substance use is a global issue, with around 30 to 35 million individuals estimated to have a substance-use disorder. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a client-centred method that aims to strengthen a person's motivation and commitment to a specific goal by exploring their reasons for change and resolving ambivalence, in an atmosphere of acceptance and compassion. This review updates the 2011 version by Smedslund and colleagues.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of motivational interviewing for substance use on the extent of substance use, readiness to change, and retention in treatment.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched 18 electronic databases, six websites, four mailing lists, and the reference lists of included studies and reviews. The last search dates were in February 2021 and November 2022.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials with individuals using drugs, alcohol, or both. Interventions were MI or motivational enhancement therapy (MET), delivered individually and face to face. Eligible control interventions were no intervention, treatment as usual, assessment and feedback, or other active intervention.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane, and assessed the certainty of evidence with GRADE. We conducted meta-analyses for the three outcomes (extent of substance use, readiness to change, retention in treatment) at four time points (post-intervention, short-, medium-, and long-term follow-up).

MAIN RESULTS

We included 93 studies with 22,776 participants. MI was delivered in one to nine sessions. Session durations varied, from as little as 10 minutes to as long as 148 minutes per session, across included studies. Study settings included inpatient and outpatient clinics, universities, army recruitment centres, veterans' health centres, and prisons. We judged 69 studies to be at high risk of bias in at least one domain and 24 studies to be at low or unclear risk. Comparing MI to no intervention revealed a small to moderate effect of MI in substance use post-intervention (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07 to 0.89; I2 = 75%; 6 studies, 471 participants; low-certainty evidence). The effect was weaker at short-term follow-up (SMD 0.20, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.28; 19 studies, 3351 participants; very low-certainty evidence). This comparison revealed a difference in favour of MI at medium-term follow-up (SMD 0.12, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.20; 16 studies, 3137 participants; low-certainty evidence) and no difference at long-term follow-up (SMD 0.12, 95% CI -0.00 to 0.25; 9 studies, 1525 participants; very low-certainty evidence). There was no difference in readiness to change (SMD 0.05, 95% CI -0.11 to 0.22; 5 studies, 1495 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Retention in treatment was slightly higher with MI (SMD 0.26, 95% CI -0.00 to 0.52; 2 studies, 427 participants; very low-certainty evidence). Comparing MI to treatment as usual revealed a very small negative effect in substance use post-intervention (SMD -0.14, 95% CI -0.27 to -0.02; 5 studies, 976 participants; very low-certainty evidence). There was no difference at short-term follow-up (SMD 0.07, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.17; 14 studies, 3066 participants), a very small benefit of MI at medium-term follow-up (SMD 0.12, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.22; 9 studies, 1624 participants), and no difference at long-term follow-up (SMD 0.06, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.17; 8 studies, 1449 participants), all with low-certainty evidence. There was no difference in readiness to change (SMD 0.06, 95% CI -0.27 to 0.39; 2 studies, 150 participants) and retention in treatment (SMD -0.09, 95% CI -0.34 to 0.16; 5 studies, 1295 participants), both with very low-certainty evidence. Comparing MI to assessment and feedback revealed no difference in substance use at short-term follow-up (SMD 0.09, 95% CI -0.05 to 0.23; 7 studies, 854 participants; low-certainty evidence). A small benefit for MI was shown at medium-term (SMD 0.24, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.40; 6 studies, 688 participants) and long-term follow-up (SMD 0.24, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.41; 3 studies, 448 participants), both with moderate-certainty evidence. None of the studies in this comparison measured substance use at the post-intervention time point, readiness to change, and retention in treatment. Comparing MI to another active intervention revealed no difference in substance use at any follow-up time point, all with low-certainty evidence: post-intervention (SMD 0.07, 95% CI -0.15 to 0.29; 3 studies, 338 participants); short-term (SMD 0.05, 95% CI -0.03 to 0.13; 18 studies, 2795 participants); medium-term (SMD 0.08, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.17; 15 studies, 2352 participants); and long-term follow-up (SMD 0.03, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.13; 10 studies, 1908 participants). There was no difference in readiness to change (SMD 0.15, 95% CI -0.00 to 0.30; 5 studies, 988 participants; low-certainty evidence) and retention in treatment (SMD -0.04, 95% CI -0.23 to 0.14; 12 studies, 1945 participants; moderate-certainty evidence). We downgraded the certainty of evidence due to inconsistency, study limitations, publication bias, and imprecision.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Motivational interviewing may reduce substance use compared with no intervention up to a short follow-up period. MI probably reduces substance use slightly compared with assessment and feedback over medium- and long-term periods. MI may make little to no difference to substance use compared to treatment as usual and another active intervention. It is unclear if MI has an effect on readiness to change and retention in treatment. The studies included in this review were heterogeneous in many respects, including the characteristics of participants, substance(s) used, and interventions. Given the widespread use of MI and the many studies examining MI, it is very important that counsellors adhere to and report quality conditions so that only studies in which the intervention implemented was actually MI are included in evidence syntheses and systematic reviews. Overall, we have moderate to no confidence in the evidence, which forces us to be careful about our conclusions. Consequently, future studies are likely to change the findings and conclusions of this review.

Identifying and Treating Incarcerated Women Experiencing Substance Use Disorders: A Review

While research on substance use disorder (SUD) treatment among justice-involved populations has grown in recent years, the majority of corrections-based SUD studies have predominantly included incarcerated men or men on community supervision. This review 1) highlights special considerations for incarcerated women that may serve as facilitating factors or barriers to SUD treatment; 2) describes selected evidence-based practices for women along the cascade of care for SUD including screening and assessment, treatment and intervention strategies, and referral to services during community re-entry; and 3) discusses conclusions and implications for SUD treatment for incarcerated women.

Prevalence and Management of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Correctional Settings: A Systematic Review

Admissions to jails and prisons in the United States number 10 million yearly; persons entering locked correctional facilities have high prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These individuals come disproportionately from communities of color, with lower access to care and prevention, compared with the United States as a whole. Following PRISMA guidelines, the authors present results of a systematic review of literature published since 2012 on STIs in US jails, prisons, Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers, and juvenile facilities. This updates an earlier review of STIs in short-term facilities. This current review contributed to new recommendations in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2021 treatment guidelines for STIs, advising screening for Trichomonas in women entering correctional facilities. The current review also synthesizes recommendations on screening: in particular, opt-out testing is superior to opt-in protocols. Carceral interventions-managing diagnosed cases and preventing new infections from occurring (eg, by initiating human immunodeficiency virus preexposure prophylaxis before release)-can counteract structural racism in healthcare.

Effect of educational intervention for compliance of school adolescents with the human papillomavirus vaccine

ABSTRACT Objective: to assess the effects of “Piss off, HPV!”, an educational intervention to increase adolescents’ knowledge, attitude and compliance with human papillomavirus vaccination. Method: a randomized clinical trial by cluster, carried out in six schools in two municipalities in Ceará, with 238 girls. The control group (n = 120) received routine instructions, and the intervention group (n = 118), printed message cards about the quadrivalent HPV vaccine. A pre- and post-intervention knowledge, attitude and practice survey was applied to both groups. The McNemar test, to analyze knowledge, attitude and pre- and post-intervention practice, the chi-square test, to compare compliance in relation to knowledge and attitude, and a logistic regression model, to assess vaccine compliance, were carried out. A significance level of 5% was adopted. Results: pre-intervention, knowledge was inadequate and attitude was adequate in both groups. Post-intervention, adequate knowledge and practices became greater in the intervention group. Adequate post-intervention knowledge and attitude, in addition to being 12 years of age or older, increase the chance for vaccination, explaining 70% of the practice. Conclusion: the educational intervention was effective for adolescents’ knowledge and compliance with the quadrivalent HPV vaccine. UTN: U1111-1254-5546; ReBEC: RBR-107hzdqt.

Efeito de intervenção educativa para adesão de adolescentes escolares à vacina contra o papilomavírus humano

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar os efeitos da intervenção educativa “Sai fora, HPV!” para aumento do conhecimento, atitude e adesão de adolescentes à vacinação contra o papilomavírus humano. Método: ensaio clínico randomizado por conglomerado, realizado em seis escolas de dois municípios cearenses, com 238 meninas. O grupo controle (n = 120) recebeu orientações rotineiras, e o grupo intervenção (n = 118), cartões-mensagem impressos sobre a vacina HPV quadrivalente. Aplicou-se inquérito conhecimento, atitude e prática pré- e pós-intervenção em ambos os grupos. Realizaram-se Testes de McNemar, para analisar conhecimento, atitude e prática pré- e pós-intervenção, do Qui-Quadrado, para comparar adesão em relação ao conhecimento e atitude, e modelo de regressão logística, para avaliação da adesão à vacina. Adotou-se nível de significância 5%. Resultados: pré-intervenção, conhecimento era inadequado e atitude adequada em ambos os grupos. Pós-intervenção, conhecimento e práticas adequados se tornaram maior no grupo intervenção. Conhecimento e atitude adequados pós-intervenção, além da idade maior ou igual a 12, aumentam a chance para vacinação, explicando 70% da prática. Conclusão a intervenção educativa foi efetiva para conhecimento e adesão da vacina HPV quadrivalente pelas adolescentes. UTN: U1111-1254-5546; ReBEC: RBR-107hzdqt.

Discriminant Function Analyses: Classifying Drugs/Violence Victimization Typologies Among Incarcerated Rural Women

This study examined the relationship between drug use and violence victimization among incarcerated women in Appalachian Kentucky. The purpose of this study was to test the utility of Goldstein's tripartite conceptual framework among rural incarcerated women, by examining whether distinct drugs/violence nexus groups could be classified based on psychopharmacological, economic-compulsive, and systemic factors. This study used secondary data from a National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)-funded grant focused on risk reduction among high-risk incarcerated women in Appalachia (N = 400). Predicted drugs/violence groups were developed using a series of discriminant function analyses. The data yielded three statistically significant discriminant models. Findings of the classified groupings indicated support for three distinct drugs/violence victimization subgroups. The psychopharmacological group showed the greatest prevalence (n = 181; Wilks's λ = .389, F = 3.94, p < .001), followed by the economic-compulsive group (n = 77; Wilks's λ = .584, F = 11.86, p < .001) and systemic group (n = 55) significant (Wilks's λ = .994, F = 2.247, p < .035). To date, this is the first study to report a relationship between systemic violence victimization among rural communities. These findings could offer novel considerations for theory development and implications for clinical practice regarding the drug-related risks for violence victimization among rural incarcerated women.

Rural Re-entry and Opioid Use: Identifying Health-Related Predictors of Relapse Among Formerly Incarcerated Women in Appalachia

INTRODUCTION

Despite improved knowledge of the health care needs of formerly incarcerated women, there exists a gap regarding the relationship between health, health care access, and relapse among rural women returning to the community during the opioid epidemic.

PURPOSE

With an emphasis on health care access, this study examined health-related factors associated with opioid relapse among women reentering the community in rural Appalachia.

METHODS

As part of a larger study, 400 rural women reporting a history of substance use were recruited from three Appalachian jails in Kentucky. Analyses focused on participants reporting a history of illicit opioid use prior to incarceration, who had also completed follow-up interviews at 6- and 12-months post-release from jail.

RESULTS

Fifty-five percent of participants reported relapse to opioids during the 12-month follow-up period. Compared to those who did not use opioids during this time, women who relapsed reported poorer mental and physical health, as well as encountered more barriers to needed health services. They were also more likely to report a usual source of care. Multivariate regression analyses reveal that, even when controlling for other known correlates of opioid use and relapse to any non-opioid drug during the follow-up period, the number of barriers to health service utilization was a significant predictor of opioid relapse.

IMPLICATIONS

Stakeholders should address the complex reentry needs of women who use opioids in rural Appalachia. This includes examining innovative approaches to reduce extensive barriers to quality health care utilization, such as implementing telehealth for opioid use treatment.

Kentucky Women's Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN): A type 1 effectiveness-implementation hybrid trial to increase utilization of medications for opioid use disorder among justice-involved women

The opioid crisis has disproportionately affected women, but research on approaches to increase initiation of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) among women is limited. The Kentucky Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) will implement a type 1 hybrid effectiveness and implementation trial to examine an innovative MOUD pretreatment model using telehealth (alone and in combination with peer navigators) for justice-involved women in transition from jail to the community. The overall goal of the project is to increase initiation and maintenance of MOUD among high-risk justice-involved women during community reentry to reduce opioid relapse and overdose. This project and other studies through the JCOIN network have the potential to significantly impact the OUD treatment field by contributing empirical evidence about the effectiveness and implementation of innovative technologies to increase initiation and maintenance of MOUD during a critical, high-risk time of community reentry among vulnerable, justice-involved individuals in both urban and nonurban communities.

Educational technologies on sexually transmitted infections for incarcerated women

OBJECTIVE

to analyze in the scientific literature the educational technologies on sexually transmitted infections used in health education for incarcerated women.

METHOD

an integrative review carried out by searching for articles in the following databases: Scopus, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health, Education Resources Information Center, PsycInFO, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Latin American Literature in Health Sciences, Cochrane, and the ScienceDirect electronic library. There were no language and time restrictions. A search strategy was developed in PubMed and later adapted to the other databases.

RESULTS

a total of 823 studies were initially identified and, after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight articles were selected. Most of them were developed in the United States with a predominance of randomized clinical trials. The technologies identified were of the printed materials type, isolated or associated to simulators of genital organs, videos, and games.

CONCLUSION

the technologies on sexually transmitted infections used in health education for incarcerated women may contribute to adherence to the prevention of this serious public health problem in the context of deprivation of liberty.

Risk factors for heroin use following release from jail or prison in adults in a Central Appalachian state between 2012-2017

Background

Corrections-involved adults with a history of opioid use disorder are at elevated risk of opioid overdose following release from correctional settings. Increased opioid prescribing restrictions and monitoring during a time when heroin is becoming cheaper and ubiquitous means that adults who misused prescription opioids prior to incarceration may be reentering communities at greater risk for heroin exposure and use.

Objectives

Determine risk factors of post-release heroin use among a sample of adults who participated in corrections-based drug treatment in Kentucky released between 2012 and 2017.

Methods

Survey data obtained as part of an ongoing evaluation of corrections-based drug treatment were examined.

Results

The final sample (N = 1,563) was majority male (80.9%). Nearly 11.0% reported past-year heroin use following their release. Depressive symptoms, polydrug use, and urban proximity were more common among participants reporting post-release heroin use. Heroin use 30 days prior to incarceration was associated with a 432.1% increase in odds of heroin use subsequent to incarceration. Post-release suicidal ideation increased odds of heroin use by 154.2%, whereas reporting satisfaction from social interactions decreased odds of use by nearly 60%. Post-release use of cocaine and diverted buprenorphine were associated with increased likelihood of heroin use during this time period, increasing odds by 469.1% and 265.9%, respectively. Residing in Central Appalachia subsequent to incarceration was associated with decreased likelihood of use.

Conclusions

In this sample, post-release heroin use was associated with concerning features, such as polydrug use, lack of social satisfaction, and suicidal ideation. These features can serve as clear targets for clinical intervention.

The condom purchase task: A hypothetical demand method for evaluating sexual health decision-making

Behavioral economic theory has proved useful for understanding the influence of delay and probability on sexual health decision-making. Demand is another principle at the intersection of microeconomics and psychology that has helped advance research relevant to health behaviors. The purpose of the present study was to develop and test a demand measure related to sexual health decision-making and the influence of sexually transmitted infection (STI) risk. Participants (N = 438) recruited using Amazon Mechanical Turk completed a commodity purchase task assessing hypothetical condom demand. Condom demand was evaluated at varied prices for use with hypothetical sexual partners that varied in STI risk. Demand was characterized by prototypic decreases in consumption with increases in cost. Higher partner STI risk was associated with greater intentions for condom-protected sex at no cost and smaller decreases in condom demand with increases in cost. Price sensitivity was also related to individual difference factors relevant to sexual health (e.g., alcohol use severity, lower STI knowledge). This study supports the utility of a condom purchase task for indexing condom valuation and capturing individual difference and contextual risk factors relevant to STI transmission. Future studies may leverage this methodology as a means to study sexual health decision-making.