Recently Released with HIV/AIDS: Primary Care Treatment Needs and Experiences

Abstract

The research objectives of this study are to describe the re-entry experiences of people recently released from jail who were living with HIV/AIDS, and to identify factors that influence their access to primary care and adherence to a treatment regimen. The research used a mixed-method, qualitative and quantitative research design. The findings indicate that the overall instability in the lives of many of the former inmates studied hampered their ability to attend to their HIV/AIDS-related health care needs. Most former inmates returned to the community with co-occurring problems related to housing and substance abuse. Complicating their access to health care were fragmented health care and correctional systems. The study highlights the need for coordination and collaboration between correctional facilities and community-based health care and human service providers that leads to a deliberative and planned transition from jail to service systems in the community.

The illness narratives of men involved in the criminal justice system: A study of health behaviors, chronic conditions, and HIV/AIDS

“…It is also important to note that only 11 of the participants (37%) reported receiving copies of their comprehensive medical records when released from jail or prison. These documents describe the types of mental, physical, dental, or substance use treatments received while an individual is incarcerated, and former inmates should have access to this information in order to improve continuity of care and treatment upon their release (Fontana & Beckerman, 2007). …”

An Evaluation of Post-Incarceration Linkage to Care for HIV/Hepatitis C Infected Veterans in Los Angeles County

“…However, late entry into care, gaps in care, and non-adherence to medication is problematic. This is evident particularly for African-American and Latino men, who constitute the majority of those incarcerated in LAC [15]. In one study, ex-offenders with HIV identified factors that influenced access to primary care and adherence to treatment regimens during their reentry experience.…”

“…In one study, ex-offenders with HIV identified factors that influenced access to primary care and adherence to treatment regimens during their reentry experience. Limited access to transportation, stigma and pessimism about treatment benefits served as obstacles to attending to their HIV needs [15].…”

Positive Transitions (POST): Evaluation of an HIV Prevention Intervention for HIV-Positive Persons Releasing from Correctional Facilities

“…The National Commission on Correctional Health Care and guidance from the CDC also recommend that discharge planning should include continuity of care on the outside that is initiated prior to release [23][24][25]. Many medical providers, prevention specialists and community groups working with currently and formerly incarcerated persons concur with this recommendation [19,20,[26][27][28].…”