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What happens behind bars: prevention strategies developed in civilian police stations against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases

Brazilian Preventive Healthcare Policy has implemented important strategies to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. However, there are some individuals that are theoretically not part of society who are catching and transmitting disease, namely prisoners. This population interacts with the community by means of relatives, visitors, prison wardens and repeat incarceration. The scope of this research is to establish the strategies developed to prevent the transmission and dissemination of STD/AIDS in Civil Police stations. A qualitative study was conducted with interns of the public prisons of four cities of the region of Naviraí in Mato Grosso do Sul State, and analysis was applied using the collective subject discourse technique. Results showed that despite acknowledging the importance of prevention, the male condom is only used in the first sexual encounter, and condoms are not used when intercourse is with a steady partner. The lack of orientation in relation to prevention of STD/AIDS is well-known as is the lack of attention to the healthcare of prisoners, due mainly to prejudice and discrimination by society. It was revealed that a healthcare policy for prisoners also needs to be implemented in public prisons.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Prevention; Incarceration Population


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