Health status and service needs of male inmates seriously ill with HIV/AIDS at two large urban jails.
Male inmates with HIV/AIDS being served by case-management programs for those seriously ill in jails in Los Angeles (n = 34) and New Orleans (n = 20) are described and compared. At both sites, most were Black and poor with a history of substance abuse. Psychological functioning (Mental Health Inventory [MHI-5]) scores indicated poor mental health. Inmates reported an average of more than 10 symptoms, and at least 25% reported needing multiple medical, practical, and social services. These findings document a subpopulation of jail inmates who are seriously ill with HIV/AIDS, and they describe the potential care and service needs of such inmates. Given the chronicity of HIV/AIDS and the importance of strict adherence to treatment protocols, it is important not only to facilitate access to care and services for inmates but also to secure continuity of care and access to services when inmates are transferred to another facility or released into the community.
Karus
Daniel
D
Center for the Psychosocial Study of Health and Illness, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10021, USA. dk307@columbia.edu
Raveis
Victoria H
VH
Ratcliffe
Margaret
M
Rosefield
Herbert A
HA
Higginson
Irene J
IJ
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D055820:New Orleans; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data