Providing HIV-positive inmates who are exiting prisons with community sources of medical care is an important yet often neglected public health need. Previous researchers have demonstrated that health services are lacking for HIV-infected inmates leaving prison and when implemented, discharge planning programs for HIV-positive inmates successfully reduce recidivism and increase adherence to treatment. This study examines the impact of discharge planning on adherence to treatment for 68 HIV-infected inmates (both male and female) who exited the prison system. Before leaving prison, the inmates received one-month's supply of medication provided by the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and were met by community health professionals with whom they made appointments at a medical clinic for the month following release. Twenty-four percent of the released inmates visited the clinic within one month, 37% had at least one visit in the first three months and 43% had at least one visit in the six months after exiting prison. Women were more likely to follow-up with treatment upon release from prison compared with men. There were no differences in ethnicity, age, mental illness diagnosis, or known substance use in the frequencies with which the released inmates adhered to treatment outside of prison. These results provide further support for the impact of discharge planning for HIV-seropositive inmates on continuity of care once the inmate is in the general population.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: HIV/AIDS,
Awards: - Honorable MentionPresenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.