A Longitudinal Analysis of the Substance Abuse, Violence, and HIV/AIDS (SAVA) Syndemic among Women in the Criminal Justice System

J Psychoactive Drugs. 2019 Jan-Mar;51(1):58-67. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2018.1562132. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Abstract

Using data from a randomized controlled trial of 319 women mainly recruited from a Municipal Drug Court System in St. Louis, MO, this study evaluates substance use, victimization, and HIV/AIDS risk behaviors over time. The results indicated that, for all participants, the likelihood of victimization, using drugs, and meeting the criteria for HIV/AIDS risk decreased by 46% by the eight-month follow-up; however, results did not differ significantly by intervention group. Women who were sexually abused as a child, had 4+ arrests, or believed they had sexual and drug-using behaviors that need changing at baseline were more likely to experience these issues over time.

Keywords: Criminal justice; HIV; SAVA; substance use; violence; women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Crime Victims / psychology
  • Criminal Law / methods
  • Female
  • HIV / pathogenicity
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk-Taking
  • Sexual Behavior / psychology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / psychology*
  • Syndemic
  • Violence / psychology*
  • Young Adult