HIV seroprevalence among newly incarcerated inmates in the Texas correctional system

PURPOSE: The seroprevalence of HIV infection was examined among a sample of incoming inmates in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison system . Rates were compared across sociodemographic factors and three types of pr ison facilities: substance abuse felony punishment units (SAFPs), state jai ls, and prisons. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 4386 incoming inmates incarcerated f or any duration, dating from November 1, 1998, to May 31, 1999. RESULTS: Among males, inmates entering slate jails had a higher HIV infecti on rate (3.7%) than either inmates entering prisons (1.9%) or those enterin g SAFPs (0.5%). Among females, inmates entering prisons had a higher rate o f infection (9.3%) than those entering state jails (2.5%) or SAFPs (4.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Although a number of blinded HIV seroprevalence studies have b een conducted in U.S. prison systems, scarce information is currently avail able on HIV infection rates in alternative correctional facilities. The pre sent study shows chat HIV seropositivity varied substantially according to race, gender, and prison facility type. Given the shorter incarceration per iods for inmates held in alternative facilities, understanding how infectio n rates vary according to type of incarceration facility holds particular p ublic health relevance. Ann Epidemiol 2001;11:342-346. (C) 2001 Elsevier Sc ience Inc. All rights reserved.