HIV Prevention and Risk Behavior Interventions for Justice-Involved Youth
Summary
Justice-involved youth experience disproportionately high rates of HIV infection owing to complex and overlapping risk factors, including early sexual initiation, substance misuse, mental health challenges and exposure to violence. Detention settings often exacerbate these vulnerabilities through restricted access to comprehensive sexual health services and disrupted continuity of care upon release. Effective interventions encompass behavioural strategies (tailored education, counselling and group-based therapies), biomedical approaches (pre-exposure prophylaxis, post-exposure prophylaxis and regular HIV testing) and structural initiatives (policy reform, housing support and linkage to community services). Recent innovations include digital and mobile health platforms for risk assessment, adherence monitoring and remote counselling, alongside peer navigation models that bridge custody and community. Success hinges on integrating mental health screening, addressing co-occurring substance use, involving families and sexual partners in prevention efforts, and ensuring seamless re-entry into health systems post-release.
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HIV Prevention and Risk Behavior Interventions for Justice-Involved Youth publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in hiv prevention and risk behavior interventions for justice-involved youth across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Justice-involved youth: Young people who are detained, on probation or under legal supervision within the criminal justice system.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP): Antiretroviral medication taken by HIV-negative individuals to prevent acquisition of HIV.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT): A structured psychological approach that addresses the interconnections between thoughts, emotions and behaviours to reduce risk-taking.
Motivational interviewing: A collaborative, client-centred counselling style designed to enhance motivation and commitment to positive behavioural change.
Structural interventions: Strategies that alter social, economic or policy environments to reduce vulnerability to HIV and improve access to prevention and care services.
References
- Sexual risk behavior and pregnancy in detained adolescent females: a study in Dutch detention centers. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health (2007).
- Sex partnerships, health, and social risks of young men leaving jail: analyzing data from a randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health (2010).
- What Racism Has to Do with It: Understanding and Reducing Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Youth of Color. Healthcare (2021).
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