Jail-based providers' perceptions of challenges to routine HIV testing in New York City jails.
About 25% of New York City jail inmates are tested for HIV despite a universal offer of rapid testing at medical intake. Health care workers were surveyed to examine provider-related challenges to testing at medical intake. Of the 291 eligible staff, 215 (73.9%) responded. Most (87.0%) felt confident recommending rapid HIV testing; however, only 85.5% of medical professionals and 70.8% of nurses felt confident providing negative rapid HIV test results. Identified barriers are those common to other medical settings (insufficient staffing, inadequate privacy or space, and ''too much'' paperwork) and those specific to correctional settings (limited time for medical intake and competing Department of Correction priorities). Staff have been given extended training to address their lack of confidence with key aspects of the HIV testing process, including providing negative results.
Sabharwal
Charulata J
CJ
Field Services Unit, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, New York 10013, USA. charulatajain@gmail.com
Muse
Kathy Hunt
KH
Alper
Howard
H
Begier
Elizabeth
E
McNeill
Michele
M
Galeta
Ghairunisa
G
Huang
Katy
K
Franklin
Woodman
W
Parvez
Farah
F
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City; D010465:Perception; D057766:Policy; D011330:Prisons / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024382:Professional Role