The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #65008

David L Rosen, MSPH¹, Carol Golin, MD², Victor J. Schoenbach, PhD³, Becky Stephenson, MD⁴, David Wohl, MD⁴, Brett A Gurkin, MD⁵, and Andrew Kaplan, MD⁴. (1) Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Campus Box #7435, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435, 919-933-1020, drosen@med.unc.edu, (2) Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 725 Airport Road, CB#7590, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7590, (3) Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2104D McGavran-Greenberg Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435, (4) Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, 547 Burnett-Womack Bldg., CB# 7030, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, (5) Dept. of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Campus Box 7160, Chapel Hill, NC 27599

Background: While 400,000 inmates are annually incarcerated in NC county jails, little research has addressed availability of HIV services for this high risk population. Objectives: This study assessed HIV-related services in county jails and staff perceptions of HIV-infected inmates and their care. Methods: A statewide telephone questionnaire was administered to detention officers and healthcare workers providing medical services in county jails. Results: Personnel from 80 of the 98 county jails in NC participated. Eighty five percent of participating facilities employed one or more on-site medical personnel, including physicians (51%), physician assistants (14%) and nurses (71%). Respondent estimates of the number of HIV-positive inmates ever incarcerated in their jail during the previous 6 months ranged between 0 and 160 (median: 2). Only 25% of jails tested greater than 1 inmate for HIV per month. Seventy one percent of facilities required a co-payment for non-emergent medical care. In 75% of jails, initial medical screening was performed in a common area. Officers administered medical screening forms at 93% of jails and distributed medications at 81%. Ninety-three percent of officers and 94% of medical staff agreed that, "If an inmate is taking medications in jail, other inmates will know about it." Twenty six percent of officers and 65% of medical staff agreed that "If HIV medications are not taken as prescribed, the HIV in one's body may become resistant to the medications." Conclusions: Few NC jail inmates are tested for HIV. Greater protection of confidentiality may improve screening and treatment of HIV-infected inmates.

Learning Objectives:

At the completion of the presentation, participants should understand
• the differences between state-operated prison facilities and county-operated jails,
• the HIV-related resources available and utilized in NC jails
• attitudes of detention officers and jail healthcare workers, regarding the provision of HIV-related services to inmates and
• community implications of HIV services available to inmates.

Keywords: Jails and Prisons, HIV/AIDS

Awards: Excellence in Abstract Submission among Student APHA Members and Winner of the HIV/AIDS Section Student Scholarship - Honorable Mention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.