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287978
Using qualitative data to develop a health navigation intervention for improving engagement and retention in HIV care among recently released HIV-positive jail inmates
METHODS: We conducted semi-structured, one-on-one interviews with 20 HIV-positive current and ex-inmates, 11 HIV case managers and 10 medical providers (n = 41) in Los Angeles County. Through open coding and frequency counts, we identified the most commonly mentioned perceived barriers to and facilitators of HIV care once inmates are released from jail.
RESULTS: Top listed barriers to HIV care among respondents included substance abuse issues, HIV stigma and disclosure concerns, lack of social support, side effects from HIV medications, limited HIV knowledge, lack of housing, and negative peer influences. Top listed facilitators to HIV care included social support, daily routines, transportation, appointment reminders, mental health and substance abuse treatment, case management, and available housing resources.
CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight a multitude of factors that impede inmates' engagement in HIV care. Programs must address inmates' basic needs before expecting them to prioritize their HIV care. We used these qualitative findings to design a peer-based health system navigation intervention for HIV-positive inmates upon release from jail and to evaluate the intervention's efficacy to improve linkage to and retention in HIV care, self-reported ART adherence, and HIV RNA viral load suppression.
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Identify top perceived barriers and facilitators to HIV care as defined by HIV positive current and ex-inmates.
Discuss perceived and preferred components of an effective health navigation intervention as defined by HIV providers with experience working with incarcerated populations and HIV positive current and ex-inmates.
Keywords: Access to Care, Incarceration
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been working in the field of HIV/AIDS for over 8 years and have taken the lead on multiple large scale projects focusing on the nexus between HIV and drug use, co-occurring mental and substance use disorders, HIV prevention interventions, and research projects targeting individuals at high risk for acquiring and transmitting HIV infection. My particular interests include working with groups highly impacted by HIV including MSM, TGW, and incarcerated populations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.