title: Technology use in linking criminal justice reentrants to HIV care in the community: a qualitative formative research study.
abstract: Innovative interventions increasing linkage, adherence, and retention in care among HIV-infected persons in the criminal justice system are needed. The authors conducted a qualitative study to investigate technology-based tools to facilitate linkage to community-based care and viral suppression for HIV-infected jail detainees on antiretroviral medications being released to the community. The authors conducted 24 qualitative interview-12 in Rhode Island and 12 in Washington, DC-among recently incarcerated HIV-infected persons to elicit their perceptions on the use of technology tools to support linkage to HIV care among criminal justice populations. This article discusses participants' perceptions of the acceptability of technological tools such as (a) a computer-based counseling and (b) text messaging interventions. The participants reported positive experiences when previewing the technology-based tools to facilitate linkage to HIV care and adherence to HIV medications. Successful linkage to care has been shown to improve HIV-associated and non-HIV-associated health outcomes, as well as prevent criminal recidivism and facilitate reentrants' successful and meaningful transition. These findings can be used to inform the implementation of interventions aimed at promoting adherence to antiretroviral medications and linkage to care for HIV-infected persons being released from the correctional setting.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics , The George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health , Washington , District of Columbia , USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peterson
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cota
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Lauri
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bazerman
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kurth
authors.forename: Curt
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beckwith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003153:Community Health Services; D003201:Computers; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D003416:Criminal Law; D004219:District of Columbia; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012237:Rhode Island; D013672:Technology; D060145:Text Messaging; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents