Citation

Meyer JP, Wickersham JA, Fu JJ, Brown SE, Sullivan TP, Springer SA, Altice FL. Int. J. Prison Health 2013; 9(3): 124-141.

Affiliation

Department: Medicine, University/Institution: Yale University School of Medicine, Town/City: New Haven, State (US only): Connecticut, Country: USA. Department: Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases. University/Institution: Yale University School of Public Health, Town/City: New Haven, State (US only): Connecticut, Country: USA. Department: Centre of Excellence on Research in AIDS, University/Institution: University of Malaya, Town/City: Kuala Lumpur, State (US only):, Country: Malaysia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

24376468

Abstract

PURPOSE: Little is known about the association of intimate partner violence (IPV) with specific HIV treatment outcomes, especially among criminal justice (CJ) populations who are disproportionately affected by IPV, HIV, mental and substance use disorders (SUDs) and are at high risk of poor post-release continuity of care.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Mixed methods were used to describe the prevalence, severity, and correlates of lifetime IPV exposure among HIV-infected jail detainees enrolled in a novel jail-release demonstration project in Connecticut. Additionally, the effect of IPV on HIV treatment outcomes and longitudinal healthcare utilization was examined.

FINDINGS: Structured baseline surveys defined 49% of 84 participants as having significant IPV-exposure, which was associated with female gender, longer duration since HIV diagnosis, suicidal ideation, having higher alcohol use severity, having experienced other forms of childhood and adulthood abuse, and homo/bisexual orientation. IPV was not directly correlated with HIV healthcare utilization or treatment outcomes. In-depth qualitative interviews with 20 surveyed participants, however, confirmed that IPV was associated with disengagement from HIV care especially in the context of overlapping vulnerabilities, including transitioning from CJ to community settings, having untreated mental disorders, and actively using drugs or alcohol at the time of incarceration.

VALUE: Post-release interventions for HIV-infected CJ populations should minimally integrate HIV secondary prevention with violence reduction and treatment for SUDs.

Language: en