AEGiS-15IAC: Integrating HIV prevention and treatment into the jail and prison health care.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Integrating HIV prevention and treatment into the jail and prison health care.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. C10267)

Frank L
University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA, United States

ISSUES: Prisoners with HIV/AIDS are often limited in access to ongoing HIV treatment and care. Serious limitations exist in HIV prevention efforts, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.

DESCRIPTION: A proven model for comprehensive clinical education and consultation for prisons will be presented that includes approaches to program development, components, and specific content on HIV treatment, prevention, psychosocial and substance abuse intervention, and cultural issues. This model approach can be achieved through collaboration with prison and jail officials, health care providers, and imates. Making the needed changes to reduce barriers to care must begin with interventions with both administration and clinical providers and tailoring of education and technical assistance specific to the jail/prison with long-term, ongoing follow-up from treatment and prevention experts. HIV peer education must be included in this model to integrate HIV prevention into the culture and ongoing prison health care system and prison life.

LESSONS LEARNED: The realities of life and HIV treatment for the incarcerated place prisoners at risk for limited access to HIV testing, treatment and ongoing care. Results show that the training of prison/jail administration, clinical providers, and inmates can change the health care culture of these institutions and result in improved access to care, reduced stigma, increased prevention efforts, and improved quality of life for HIV infected inmates.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Reform must take place within prisons and jails that begins with targeted education on HIV disease, treatment and prevention which can be instrumental in changing prison policies and priorities and to improve access to treatment.

Keywords: AEGIS, Prisons, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Delivery of Health Care, Prisoners, HIV Seropositivity, Health Services Needs and Demand, Health Personnel, therapy, prevention & control, education

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C10267