HIV testing experiences among male and female inmates in Rhode Island.
We conducted a survey of 154 inmates of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections jail regarding HIV risk, HIV testing experiences, and attitudes toward rapid HIV testing in the correctional setting. HIV risk behavior was common during the 6 months before incarceration. Ninety-four percent of inmates were previously tested for HIV; of those, 50% reported at least 1 test for which they did not receive a result. Eighty-eight percent stated they would prefer rapid testing to standard HIV antibody testing in the correctional setting. Rapid HIV testing is acceptable to this high-risk prison population and may improve the delivery of HIV test results. Further research is needed to determine how to best incorporate rapid HIV testing into the delivery of health care in the correctional setting.
Beckwith
Curt G
CG
Department of Medicine, Miriam Hospital and Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
Cohen
Jonathan
J
Shannon
Cheryl
C
Raz
Liran
L
Rich
Josiah D
JD
Lally
Michelle A
MA
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D012237:Rhode Island / Q000453:epidemiology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*