Abstract
The prevalence of those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is higher among inmates of correctional facilities than among the general population. This raises the need to identify inmates living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS and to provide counseling and appropriate survices for HIV treatment and prevention. The Maryland Division of Corrections (DOC) offers voluntary testing to all inmates on entry and tests inmates when clinically indicated. We reviewed all 1998 HIV antibody tests and confirmed AIDS cases in the Maryland DOC. Inmate demographics, testing acceptance, rates of seropositivity, and AIDS cases and comparisons based on gender, racelethnicity, and age were examined. Comparisons were also made to HIV testing and AIDS cases from the nonincarcerated Maryland population. Trends in DOC AIDS diagnoses and AIDS-related deaths over time were also examined. Of the inmates, 39% were voluntarily tested for HIV on entry to the Maryland DOC in 1998 (38% of males and 49% of females). Overall, HIV seropositivity was 33% (5% for females and 3% for males). The 888 cumulative AIDS cases diagnosed in the DOC inmate population were concentrated among males (90% vs. 77% statewide), African Americans (91% vs. 75% statevide), and among IDUs (84% vs. 39% statewide). Due to high rates of HIV and AIDS, inmate populations are a crucial audience for HIV/AIDS testing, treatment, and prevention efforts, especially women. Prison-based programs can identify significant numbers of HIV and AIDS cases and bring HIV prevention interventions to a population characterized by frequent high-risk behavior.
Full Text
The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (71.7 KB).
References
- 1.Maruschak L. HIV in Prisons 1997. Washington, DC: US Dept of Justice; 1999. [Google Scholar]
- 2.Prison and Jail Inmates at Midyear 1996. Washington, DC: US Dept of Justice; January; 1997. [Google Scholar]
- 3.Hammett T, Widom R, Epestein J, et al. 1994 Update: HIV/AIDS and STDs in Correctional Facilities. Washington DC: Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice/Dept of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 1995. [Google Scholar]
- 4.Dean-Gaitor HD, Fleming PL. Epidemiology of AIDS in incarcerated persons in the United States, 1994–1996. AIDS. 1999;13:2429–2435. doi: 10.1097/00002030-199912030-00015. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 5.HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 1998. pp. 8–8. [Google Scholar]
- 6.Maryland HIV/AIDS Update. Baltimore, MD: AIDS Administration, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; 2000. pp. 7–8. [Google Scholar]
- 7.Gilliard DK, Beck AJ. Prison and Jail Inmates, 1995. Washington, DC: US Dept of Justice; 1996. [Google Scholar]
- 8.Maryland HIV/AIDS Update. Baltimore, MD: AIDS Administration, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; 2000. pp. 3–4. [Google Scholar]
- 9.St. Lawrence JS, Eldridge GD, Shelby MC, et al. HIV risk reduction for incarcerated women: a comparison of brief interventions based on two theoretical models. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1997;65:504–509. doi: 10.1037/0022-006X.65.3.504. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 10.St. Lawrence JS, Crosby RA, Belcher L, et al. Sexual risk reduction and anger management interventions for incarcerated male adolescents: a randomized controlled trial of two interventions. J Sex Educ Ther. 1999;24:9–17. [Google Scholar]
- 11.Mikl J, Dzierbicki A, Smith PF, Griefinger R, Wright L, Morse DL.Trends in HIV Infection Among New York State Prison Entrants, 1987–97. International Conference on AIDS 1998, 12:445. Abstract 23516.
- 12.Behrendt C, Kendig N, Dambita C, Horman J, Lawlor J, Vlahov D. Voluntary testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a prison population with a high prevalence of HIV. Am J Epidemiol. 1994;139:918–926. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a117098. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 13.Flynn C, Landrigan J, Sitakis F, Caldeira E.The 1999 Maryland Annual HIV/AIDS Report. Baltimore, MD: AIDS Administration, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; 16.
- 14.Weirsema J, Richardson DA.Program Implementation's Effects on HIV/AIDS Prevention Program Outcome in Maryland Prisons and Jails. National HIV Prevention Conference 1999; August 29–September 1, 1999; Atlanta, GA. Abstract 402.