Table 3

​ Qualitative studies on reproductive health needs of youth during reentry

First author, yearStudy summaryKey findings
Davis, 201635 Qualitative study of lessons learnt from implementation of HIV/STI risk reduction intervention for incarcerated African-American 13–17-year-old females in Georgia who were single and not pregnant at baseline (n=333).Delivery of an HIV/STI prevention curriculum to African-American detained girls is feasible and acceptable. Specific lessons learnt include:

  • One-on-one sessions are logistically more feasible than group sessions.

  • Provide education inside facility and after release to increase efficacy and feasibility.

  • Follow-up sessions can be conducted via telephone.

  • A hired nurse can provide directly observed in-home treatment and expedited partner therapy to overcome barriers to accessing free STI treatment.

Jacobs, 200938 Mixed-methods evaluation of the Massachusetts Health Passport Project, which included interviews and surveys with recently incarcerated adolescents reentering their communities (n=61).Gender-specific health concerns emerged:

  • Females were most concerned about pregnancy, STIs, sexual abuse and involvement in sex trafficking, hygiene.

  • Males were most concerned about STIs, violence-related and sports-related injuries, mental health, substance abuse.

Latham, 201236 Qualitative study of interviews with incarcerated African-American girls who served as teen advisors used to develop HIV/STI intervention (n=4).Authors observed that youth did not openly discuss condoms or condom use in detention. Discussions were only when initiated by junior corrections officers if someone was pregnant or disclosed a current/prior STI.
Todis, 200139 Ethnographic study examining resilience in incarcerated youth, including immediate reentry period and long-term life trajectory (n=15).Study described how pregnancy was a motivating factor for youth to seek healthcare; 6/7 female respondents became pregnant during the reentry period.
Woodson, 201037 Authors describe a hypothetical ideal aftercare programme to reduce health-related risks among African-American incarcerated females.Authors concluded that:

  • Peer education about sexual risk behaviours and effective sexual communication would be feasible and acceptable for delivery to programme participants.

  • Participation in daily physical activity (eg, dance, team-based sports and general exercise) would be a suitable and effective method to educate participants in healthy behaviours and nutrition.

  • STI, sexually transmitted infection.