HIV/AIDS Knowledge and Risk Perception of Adult Women in an Urban Area Jail

HIV/AIDS knowledge and HIV-related risk behavior perform a critical role in the planning and implementation of jail-based risk reduction programs. Building on Becker’s (1974) health belief model, which indicates that decreased risk behavior accompanies increased risk education, we measured risk orientation of 264 incarcerated women by examining knowledge of HIV transmission, pre-arrest risk behavior, self perceptions of risk, and risk management. Findings did not lend support to Becker’s model, which purports that decreased risk behavior follows increased risk education. Consequently, it appears that increased risk education would not decrease risk behavior in this population. Theoretical, methodological, and programmatic implications of the findings are discussed.