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Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Care Is Unavailable to Inmates on Release From Jail
Nancy Warren, MPH;
Eran Bellin, MD;
Stephen Zoloth, PhD, MPH;
Steven Safyer, MD
Arch Fam Med. 1994;3(10):894-898.
Abstract
Background
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence in urban jails is higher than that in the general community.
Methods
We interviewed a cohort of HIV-infected inmates in a jail in New York, NY, during incarceration and after release to assess the accessibility of medical and social services.
Results
Of the 170 inmates who were interviewed and released into the community, 40 (24%) came to a follow-up interview. Of the 40, 25 (62%) had not received an appointment with an infectious disease clinic by the time of the new interview. Only eight (27%) of the 32 who received zidovudine in jail obtained zidovudine; and only one of the 13 who received isoniazid prophylaxis in jail obtained isoniazid prophylaxis. Twenty (65%) had applied for but not yet received Medicaid.
Conclusion
Inmates infected with HIV may encounter difficulties obtaining medical care and social services on release into the community, which can potentially lead to active infectious tuberculosis. Family physicians may encounter HIV-positive patients who are newly released from jail and who need follow-up medical care, and they must help address the needs of HIV-positive, formerly incarcerated people.
Author Affiliations
From the Montefiore-Rikers Island Health Service, (Ms Warren and Drs Bellin and Safyer) and the Departments of Epidemiology and Social Medicine and Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Ms Warren and Dr Safyer), East Elmhurst; and the Department of Community Health, Hunter College, City University of New York, (Dr Zoloth), New York.
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