Ramratnam B, Rich JD, Tsoulfas G, Parikh A, Vigilante K, Flanigan TP; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1996 Jul 7-12; 11: 171 (abstract no. We.D.3665).
The Miriam Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI, USA. Fax: (401)331-8501.
Background: Most prison inmates in the United States are young and poor with a history of substance abuse that places them at high risk for HIV infection. HIV seroprevalence in US prisons has ranged from 2.1% to 14.7%. Mandatory testing of prisoners for HIV has been recommended by the American Medical Association and at present 10 states, including Rhode Island, and the Federal Prison System have mandatory testing procedures. Purpose: Recent reports on prisoner acceptance of HIV testing have been confined to prison systems with voluntary programs. We sought to determine former prisoners' views on mandatory HIV testing during incarceration in the Rhode Island prison system. Methods: 130 former prisoners who underwent mandatory HIV testing at the RI prison system were surveyed at 2 sites: a methadone maintenance program and an health center for HIV (+) and high risk individuals. During a 5 minute anonymous interview they were asked: "Should HIV testing be voluntary or mandatory in prison," and "How do you feel about mandatory HIV testing-good, bad, or no opinion." The respondents' age, sex and HIV status were noted. Results: Of 130 individuals, 54 men and 76 women, there were 80 Whites, 32 African-Americans, 15 Latinos and 3 Native Americans. 65/130 (50%) were HIV (+). 48/65 (72%) of HIV (+) and 50/61 (88%) of HIV (-) individuals felt that HIV testing should be mandatory for all prisoners. Opinion in favor of mandatory testing did not differ significantly by gender or race. When individuals were asked how they felt about mandatory HIV testing in prison, 101/130 (78%) felt good, 21/130 (16%) felt bad and 8/130 ((6%) had no opinion. Individuals approved of mandatory testing because they felt that HIV (+) persons should know their diagnosis so that they could receive appropriate medical care, plan for the future and modify behavior to lessen the chance of spread to their partners. Reasons for disagreeing with mandatory testing centered around the coercive nature of testing, skepticism regarding confidentiality of test results and doubts regarding the quality of medical care in prison. Conclusion: 72% of HIV (+) individuals approved of mandatory testing. The survey's results should not be interpreted as blanket approval of the principle of mandatory testing but affirmation of the HIV care program in the RI system. Core components of the program include: 1. Extensive post test counseling/support. 2. HIV status is known only by members of the medical team and not by correctional officers or administrators. 3. HIV (+) prisoners are not segregated. 4. Medical care is provided by dedicated nurses and physicians with training in HIV/AIDS. 5. Discharge planning efforts link individuals with community based drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, medical care and HIV support groups upon release.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Confidentiality
- Counseling
- Female
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- HIV Seroprevalence
- Humans
- Law Enforcement
- Male
- Mandatory Testing
- Mass Screening
- Prisoners
- Prisons
- Rhode Island
- United States
- Voluntary Programs
Other ID:
UI: 102219889
From Meeting Abstracts