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This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: AJPH.2004.060236v1 96/5/834    most recent Submit a response View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (11) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Clarke, J. G. Articles by Stein, M. D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Clarke, J. G. Articles by Stein, M. D. Related Collections Other Birth Control Sexual Health Women's Health

Jennifer G. Clarke, MD, MPH, Megan R. Hebert, MA, Cynthia Rosengard, PhD, MPH, Jennifer S. Rose, PhD, Kristen M. DaSilva, BA and Michael D. Stein, MD

The authors are members of the Substance Abuse Research Unit, Division of General Internal Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI. Jennifer G. Clarke, Cynthia Rosengard, Jennifer S. Rose, and Michael D. Stein also are with the Brown University Medical School, Providence.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Jennifer G. Clarke, MD, MPH, Rhode Island Hospital DGIM, MPB-1, 593 Eddy St, Providence, RI 02903 (e-mail: jclarke{at}lifespan.org).

Objectives. Women in correctional institutions have substantial reproductive health problems, yet they are underserved in receipt of reproductive health care. We assessed the level of risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and the reproductive health needs of 484 incarcerated women in Rhode Island to plan an intervention for women returning to the community.

Methods. We used a 45-minute survey to assess medical histories, pregnancy and birth control use histories, current pregnancy intentions, substance use during the past 3 months, histories of childhood sexual abuse, and health attitudes and behaviors.

Results. Participants had extremely high risks for STDs and pregnancy, which was characterized by inconsistent birth control (66.5%) and condom use (80.4%), multiple partners (38%), and a high prevalence of unplanned pregnancies (83.6%) and STDs (49%). Only 15.4% said it was not likely that they would have sexual relations with a man within 6 months after release.

Conclusion. Reproductive health services must be offered to incarcerated women. Such interventions will benefit the women, the criminal justice systems, and the communities to which the women will return.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				A. C. Spaulding, J. G. Clarke, A. M. Jongco, and T. P. Flanigan Small Reservoirs: Jail Screening for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia in Low Prevalence Areas Journal of Correctional Health Care, January 1, 2009; 15(1): 28 - 34. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. G. Clarke, M. Phipps, J. Rose, M. Hebert, C. Rosengard, M. Ray, and M. D. Stein Follow-Up of Abnormal Pap Smears Among Incarcerated Women Journal of Correctional Health Care, January 1, 2007; 13(1): 22 - 26. [Abstract] [PDF]