SEROPREVALENCE OF HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS AMONG INPATIENT PRETRIAL DETAINEES

Medical records of inpatients discharged from a forensic unit in Colum bia, South Carolina, from January 1998 to December 1991 were reviewed to determine the incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serop ositivity. Results were linked to age, gender, ethnicity, history of i ntravenous drug use, and Axis I diagnoses. HIV status was obtained for 74 percent of patients 18 to 55 years of age. The incidence of HIV se ropositivity among patients tested was 5.5 percent, which is greater t han 40 times the incidence for the general population in South Carolin a. Intravenous drug use was reported for 33 percent of the seropositiv e males. We conclude that inpatient pretrial detainees are at increase d risk for HIV infection. HIV testing should be mandated at all facili ties housing detainees. Further studies are needed to determine any fa ctors about these patients that can be linked to seropositivity.