7th International AIDS Conference Florence, Italy — June 16-21, 1991

Int Conf AIDS 1991 Jun 16-21; 7:446 (abstract no. W.D.4234)
Scheib R, McGowan K, Sager S, Florman J, Bradley O, DesRoche A, Morgan B, Gagnon T, Power M; Lemuel Shattuck Hospital, Dept. of Public Health, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate follow up and specific healthcare needs in individuals with symptomatic HIV Disease/AIDS released from correctional facilities to the community.

METHODS: Comprehensive chart review of individuals with symptomatic HIV Disease (t4 less than 500, thrush) or AIDS during the years Jan. 1989-Dec. 1990 followed at Public Health HIV specialty clinic. Initial evaluation was while individual was incarcerated with follow up evaluation upon release to community. Evaluation included assessment of compliance with medication and appointments, substance abuse, acute psychiatric needs and social service health care needs including housing and chronic care hospitalization.

RESULTS: 34 individuals with AIDS (A). 40 individuals with symptomatic HIV Disease (B) were identified. Review resulting in 1) Noncompliance with medicine (A) 20/34 (B) 35/40 2) Recurrent substance abuse (A) 28/34 (B) 37/40 3) Acute psychiatric needs (A) 8/34 (B) 10/34 4) Homeless (A) 11/34 5) chronic care hospitalization (A) 9/34 (B) 0/34 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Patients released from correctional facilities have a high rate of non compliance with healthcare and renewed active substance abuse. Demands on psychiatric and social services including chronic care hospitalization are high. With a large reservoir of HIV Disease in the correctional system and eventual release to the general community we propose that systematic health care planning occur prior to release recognizing the above needs.

Copyright © 1991 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.