HIV Related Risk Behaviours Among Male Prisoners in Selected Prisons in Ghana

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2013-07

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University of Ghana

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The disparity in the seroprevalence of HIV infection between prison environments and the general population is gross, and this picture is documented worldwide. However, the population is usually neglected in terms of prevention and control programs even though they are a high risk group, providing a ‗fertile reservoir‘ for HIV transmission. This study therefore sought to assess the knowledge of male inmates, identify the HIV related risk behaviours existing in the prison environment and assess the availability of health services to identify needs. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study of five prisons selected by stratified sampling depending on the level of security. A total 1083 male inmates were surveyed from Ankaful New prisons (Maximum security), Nsawam male prisons (medium security), Ankaful main central prisons, Akuse local and James Camp prisons. The survey showed a young population of prisoners with a mean age of 34.8 years, range, 18-87 years and a standard deviation of 11.6 years. There is universal (99.4%) awareness of HIV/AIDS but a significantly low (21.1%) comprehensive knowledge due to a high proportion of inmates having misconceptions about the disease; (57.4 percent think HIV can be transmitted by witchcraft / supernatural means while 48.9 percent think it can be transmitted by mosquito bites). There is a significant relationship between comprehensive knowledge and the level of education, length of stay in prison as well as the type of prison in which the inmate is found. HIV related risk practices do occur among inmates but rarely occur in prison suggesting that HIV positive inmates may have contracted the disease prior to imprisonment. While 20 percent had their tattoos before going to prison, only 0.5 percent had theirs whiles in prison. Injection drug use and homosexual behaviours are rarely practiced inside the prisons with only two (0.2%) inmates indulging in injection drug use and ten (0.9%) engaging in anal sex. Health delivery service is grossly inadequate, and only 23.5 percent of inmates know about any HIV related service in the form of education, counseling and testing, treatment or support group. In conclusion, there is universal awareness but significantly low comprehensive knowledge of HIV/AIDS. HIV related risk behaviours do occur among male inmates but rarely occur within the walls of confinement and health services in general as well HIV related services are grossly inadequate within the prisons.

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Thesis (MPH) - University of Ghana, 2013

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