title: Prevalence and Predictors of Mental/Emotional Distress Among HIV+ Jail Detainees at Enrollment in an Observational Study.
abstract: This study evaluates the prevalence of mental/emotional distress and its specific correlates among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in 20 jail systems across the United States. Of the 878 PLWHA jail detainees, 52% had high levels of mental/emotional distress, defined by the composite Addiction Severity Index score. High mental/emotional distress was found to be associated with the inmate living in a city with lower income inequality, lower health ranking, and higher degree of danger. Proximate variables included being female, bisexual orientation, poorer physical health, and increased severity of substance abuse. Inmates in jails with accredited health services and those satisfied with family support had lower mental/emotional distress scores. These findings indicate the need for expanded mental health assessment of PLWHAs entering jail.
authors: Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, USA Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Lincoln
authors: Allies in Recovery, Northampton, MA, USA dominiquesimon@comcast.net.
authors: Dominique
authors: D
authors: Simon-Levine
authors: Methodological Consultant, Amherst, MA, USA.
authors: JuliAnna
authors: J
authors: Smith
authors: School of Public Health, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA Community Outreach Intervention Projects and Healthy Youths Program, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors: Geri R
authors: GR
authors: Donenberg
authors: Yale AIDS Program, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Sandra A
authors: SA
authors: Springer
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA.
authors: Nickolas
authors: N
authors: Zaller
authors: Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
authors: Frederick L
authors: FL
authors: Altice
authors: AIDS Care Group, Chester, PA, USA.
authors: Kevin
authors: K
authors: Moore
authors: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, East Elmhurst, NY, USA.
authors: Alison O
authors: AO
authors: Jordan
authors: School of Social Work, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors: Jeffrey
authors: J
authors: Draine
authors: Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA, USA.
authors: Maureen
authors: M
authors: Desabrais
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019090:Case Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015897:Comorbidity; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011203:Poverty; D015995:Prevalence; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV; case management; jails; mental/emotional distress