HIV-infected prison inmates: depression and implications for release back to communities.
High rates of both HIV and depression are seen in prison populations; depression has been linked to disease progression in HIV, risky behaviors, and medication non-adherence. Despite this, few studies have examined HIV-infected inmates with depression. We therefore conducted an exploratory study of a sample of HIV-infected inmates in North Carolina prisons (N = 101) to determine what proportion of this sample screened positive for depression and whether depression was associated with different pre-incarceration characteristics or post-release needs. A high proportion of HIV infected inmates (44.5%) screened positive for depression. Depressed inmates were significantly more likely have low coping self-efficacy scores (180 vs. 214), to report having had resource needs (OR = 2.91) prior to incarceration and to anticipate needing income (OR = 2.81), housing (OR = 4.07), transportation (OR = 9.15), and assistance with adherence (OR = 8.67) post-release. We conclude by discussion the implications of our findings for prison based care and effective prison release planning for HIV infected inmates.
Scheyett
Anna
A
School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. amscheye@email.unc.edu
Parker
Sharon
S
Golin
Carol
C
White
Becky
B
Davis
Carrie Pettus
CP
Wohl
David
D
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003688:Deinstitutionalization; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011330:Prisons; D020377:Self Efficacy