Using the theory of planned behavior to understand the STD risk behaviors of incarcerated women

Women in American correctional facilities make up an at-risk group for STDs/HIV, both in terms of disease history and STD risk behaviors. Using a sample of incarcerated women in two southern states, a theoretically driven model of incarcerated women's risk behaviors prior to and during incarceration was described and tested. The model is based on links among beliefs, attitudes, perceived behavioral control and norms, and behavioral intentions. Results indicated that beliefs related to condoms were associated with favorable attitudes toward condoms. Condom attitudes were related to positive behavioral intentions to use condoms and also mediated some belief/intention associations. Perceived behavioral control and norms were also associated with intentions; norms were especially strongly related. The model provides a structure for measuring the predicates of incarcerated women's risk behaviors and for testing the efficacy of risk-reduction interventions.