title: "You're in a world of chaos": experiences accessing HIV care and adhering to medications after incarceration.
abstract: Most HIV-infected inmates leave prison with a suppressed viral load; many, however, become disconnected from care and nonadherent to medications during reentry to community life. In this secondary data analysis of focus groups (n = 6) and in-depth interviews (n = 9) with 46 formerly incarcerated HIV-infected people during reentry, we used an inductive analytic approach to explore the interplay between individual, interpersonal, community, and structural factors and HIV management. Participants described barriers and facilitators to care engagement and adherence at each of these four levels, as well as a milieu of HIV and incarceration-related stigma and discrimination. The constellation of barriers and facilitators created competing demands and a sense of chaos in participants' lives, which led them to address reentry-related basic needs (e.g., housing, food) before health care needs. Interventions that simultaneously address multiple levels, including augmenting employment and housing opportunities, enhancing social support, and reducing stigma, are needed.
authors.forename: Alexis C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Dennis
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barrington
authors.forename: Sayaka
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hino
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gould
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wohl
authors.forename: Carol E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Golin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011329:Prisoners / Q000523:psychology*; D011330:Prisons; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012917:Social Adjustment; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: HIV; health care access; incarceration; medication adherence; stigma