AEGiS-14IAC: Blood borne viruses and drug using risks for juvenile justice clients: An analysis of interventions and worker practices in Victoria, Australia.

14th International AIDS Conference


Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

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Blood borne viruses and drug using risks for juvenile justice clients: An analysis of interventions and worker practices in Victoria, Australia.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. WeOrE1324)

O'Brien ML, Pitts MK, Grierson JW
ARCSHS, LaTrobe University, Melbourne, Australia

BACKGROUND: Injecting drug users (IDUs) internationally are vastly over-represented in correctional institutions. The high prevalence of hepatitis C virus is a significant concern in Australian correctional systems. Previously, examination of how the risk for blood borne virus (BBV) transmission and other drug use risks are managed for those in correctional systems have largely concentrated on adult, rather than juvenile justice contexts. Aim: This paper reports on research on the management of BBVs and other drug use risks within the juvenile justice system in one Australian State.

METHOD: Eighty-five in-depth semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with health and generalist staff who supervise young people in both custodial and non-custodial settings. Thematic analysis of interviews using a grounded theory approach elaborated themes relating to risk management.

RESULTS: Introduction of harm reduction measures included methadone prescription, condom distribution and syringe disposal. Barriers to the successful implementation of harm reduction measures include: the difficulties in balancing the imperatives of health and corrections; the challenge of continuity of care across complex systems; and the viewing of 'risk' as not only resulting from individual behaviours, but also resulting from the systemic and institutional practices that provide the context in which individuals act.

Keywords: AEGIS, Australia, Victoria, Substance Abuse, Intravenous, Viruses, Prevalence, Social Justice, Substance-Related Disorders, Syringes, Research, Learning, Memory, Methadone, Interviews, Adolescent, Human, Adult, blood, virology, nursing, ethicsKWDaegis,australia,victoria,substanceabuse,intravenous,viruses,prevalence,socialjustice,substance-relateddisorders,syringes,research,learning,memory,methadone,interviews,adolescent,human,adult,blood,virology,nursing,ethics

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WeOrE1324

Copyright © 2002 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.