Research at a glance

July 2010 | Number R196
PDF

Rates of Reported Sexually Transmitted Infections since Admission to Canadian Federal Prison and Associated Incarceration Characteristics and Sexual Risk-Behaviours

KEY WORDS: risky sexual behaviour, exchange-sex, unprotected casual sex, sex with a partner of the same sex, sexually transmitted infections (STI), STI rates, inmate survey

Why we did this study

Correctional Service Canada (CSC) conducted a survey to obtain information about inmates’ health risk-behaviours, use of health programs, and knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Results reported here focus on the rate of self-reported sexually transmitted infections (STIs) since admission to CSC, and characteristics associated with these infections. This information will help CSC to better address the health needs of inmates.

What we did

In collaboration with inmates and the Public Health Agency of Canada, CSC developed a self-administered questionnaire. A random sample of men and all women were invited to complete the questionnaire. Inmate participation was voluntary. To ensure privacy and confidentiality, an external private company administered and retained the anonymous questionnaires, and provided CSC with an anonymous database for analysis. In total, 3,370 inmates across Canada completed the questionnaire in 2007.

What we found

The overall rate of at least one reported STI since admission to CSC was 158 per 10,000 person-years served. That is, if 10,000 inmates were followed for one year after admission, approximately 158 or 1.6% would report at least one STI.

The rate of reporting an STI since admission was 4.5 times greater among women than men and 1.6 times greater among Aboriginal men than non-Aboriginal men.

Among men, residing in maximum security, greater cumulative time served, and/or in-penitentiary exchange-sex (i.e., a transaction involving the exchange of sex for money, works, rigs, drugs or goods) were associated with an increased likelihood of reporting an STI since admission. Men who reported sex with men in the community, prior to their current incarceration, were also more likely to report an STI since admission.

Among women, unprotected sex with a casual partner at CSC was related to an increased likelihood of reporting an STI since admission. Women who reported sex with women and/or being paid for sex in the community, prior to their current incarceration, were also more likely to report an STI since admission.

What it means

The survey found that inmates reporting exchange-sex, sex with a partner of the same sex, and unprotected sex with casual partners were more likely to report an STI since admission to CSC. Presently, all of these sexual behaviours are screened for in the intake health status assessment at CSC. Healthcare professionals can use this assessment to identify individuals at elevated risk for STIs while incarcerated and thus more likely to benefit from regular STI testing at CSC. Since cumulative time served and security level were also associated with an increased risk of reporting an STI since admission among men, education, screening and testing needs to continue beyond admission, particularly among high-risk subgroups, and access to harm-reduction items (i.e., condoms, dental dams, and lubricant) needs to be monitored across security levels.

For more information

Zakaria, D., Thompson, J., & Borgatta, F. (2010). Rates of Reported Sexually Transmitted Infections since Admission to Canadian Federal Prison and Associated Incarceration Characteristics and Sexual Risk-Behaviours. Ottawa: Correctional Service Canada.

To obtain a PDF version of the full report, contact the following address: research@csc-scc.gc.ca.

Prepared by: Dianne Zakaria

Contact

Research Branch
(613) 996-3287
research@csc-scc.gc.ca