Abstract
Prior studies have demonstrated that adolescents in juvenile detention centers engage frequently in HIV-associated risk-taking behaviors. Confidential, voluntary HIV testing is offered by medical personnel at a Rhode Island correctional facility for juveniles with HIV-related risk behaviors. We surveyed the medical records of 312 incarcerated juveniles to determine the incidence of voluntary HIV testing during their detention stay. Forty-nine percent of the patients were tested for HIV. Sixty percent and 49% of juveniles reported marijuana and alcohol use, respectively. Eight percent of juveniles reported "hard drug" use including crack, cocaine, heroin, and LSD. Five percent of subjects reported a history of an STD. In our study, 36% of juveniles who used hard drugs and 27% of those reporting a prior STD were not tested for HIV. The findings of this study reveal that while HIV testing does occur among juveniles in an incarcerated setting, some youth at high risk for HIV are not being tested.
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