HIV testing among ex-inmates affiliated with African American churches

Studies suggest that individuals who have been in the correctional system are at an increased risk for HIV due to their engagement in other risky behaviors and social risk factors compared to those who have never been in the correctional system. Surveys were administered to church and community members who used church outreach services in four African American churches in the Kansas City area. Participants completed surveys on health beliefs and behaviors related to HIV, including HIV testing, HIV knowledge, and sexual and drug behaviors. Overall, 90.5% of participants (N=535; 190 males and 345 females, mean age=42.22, SD=13.46) were African American, 36.1% were Baptist, and 32.7% were married. Among these participants, 106 (19.8%; 74 males and 32 females) indicated that they had been in the correctional system. Those who had been in the correctional system were significantly more likely to have taken an HIV test in the past 6 months (35.8% vs. 19.4%) and ever (94.3% vs. 71.2%) than those who had never been incarcerated. Ex-inmates were also more likely to believe that condoms should be talked about [F (1, 179.256) = 14.39, p=.001] and available [F (1, 526) = 24.95, p<.001] at their churches. They were also marginally more apt to believe that HIV testing should be offered at their church [F (1, 529) = 3.135, p=.08]. Considering the potential reach and acceptability of church-based HIV risk reduction and testing with ex-inmate populations, future research is needed on how to extend such services in African American church settings.