Using Arrest Charge to Screen for Undiagnosed HIV Infection Among New Arrestees: A Study in Los Angeles County

• NCJ Number: 227199
• Journal: Journal of Correctional Health Care Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2009 Pages: 105-117
• Author(s): Nina T. Harawa M.P.H., Ph.D.; Trista A. Bingham M.S., M.P.H., Ph.D.; Qiana R. Butler M.P.H.; Karen S. Dalton DrPH; William E. Cunningham M.D., M.P.H.; Stephanie Behel M.P.H.; Duncan A. MacKellar M.A., M.P.H.
• Date Published: April 2009
• Length: 13 pages
• Grant Number(s): CDC U62/CCU906253-11, PA 00005A; 2P30/AG021684; CH05-LAC-617
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute on Aging; Ctr's for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); University AIDS Research Program
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Data from a cross-sectional study of newly incarcerated inmates in two jail facilities in Los Angeles County were used in a preliminary investigation to evaluate whether specific types of arrest charges were associated with HIV risk.

Abstract

Findings from the study indicate important associations between both sociodemographic and arrest-related factors and HIV infection. HIV prevalence was higher in males than females and highest in African-Americans, followed by Whites among both male and female inmates. Male and female parole violators, males arrested for sex or theft charges, and females arrested for drug or violent charges were more likely to have undiagnosed HIV infections than males and females arrested for other reasons. The data provided preliminary evidence that, in jail settings where universal routine screening is not feasible, selective screening for HIV based on arrest should be further explored as a strategy for identifying undiagnosed infections. Despite high documented HIV prevalence, few jail systems offer universal HIV screening, nor is this always feasible. This study evaluated undiagnosed HIV infection and HIV risk history by arrest charge among 1,322 new arrestees within 2 facilities of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to examine whether specific charges might help prioritize jail-based screening. Tables and references