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Unique Health Care Needs of Female Juvenile Offenders (From Juvenile Justice Programs and Trends, P 63-69, 1996, Alice Fins, ed. -- See NCJ-172261)

NCJ Number
172270
Author(s)
P N Reams
Date Published
1996
Length
7 pages
Annotation
After identifying the distinctive health care needs of female juvenile inmates, this paper notes the barriers to the delivery of appropriate health care to these women and recommends ways to improve medical services to female juvenile inmates.
Abstract
A Virginia study of the health care needs of female juvenile inmates in that State found a prevalence of certain diagnoses, particularly sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Boys show a lower incidence of STDs than girls, possibly because boys are more likely to be symptomatic with an STD and, therefore, may seek treatment before commitment. Few girls, on the other hand, are aware that they have the illness. Also, girls may have older sexual partners than the boys and thus have more exposure to STDs. Pregnancy and the support of motherhood are obvious distinctive conditions of female inmates. Also, among females, a greater number of options exist for contraception. Further, girls generally use the health care system to a greater extent than do boys. These different health care needs of girls present distinct requirements for the number and training of health care staff, space, services, and processes for access to health care services in female facilities. Some barriers to the provision of needed health care services for women are cost, mission and administrative priorities, space, transportation, and misconceptions. The author recommends the provision of resources for gynecological examinations in all female facilities, a treatment-team approach for those who use the sick call system frequently, a greater number of health care personnel in female facilities, and the provision of medical services that conform to the community standard. 9 references and 3 tables