HIV Transmission in a State Prison System, 1988-2005
June 3, 2009
HIV prevalence among state prison inmates is estimated to be more than five time higher than for the general US population, the study authors noted. However, data on transmission, risk modification after diagnosis, transmission networks, and antiretroviral (ARV) resistance within large state prison systems are sparse. In the current study, investigators analyzed 88 HIV seroconversions reported during 1988-2005 among male prison inmates in Georgia.
"Half of all HIV seroconversions were identified when routine voluntary testing was offered, and seroconverters reduced their risks following their diagnosis," concluded the authors. "Most genetically related seroconverters reported sex in prison, suggesting HIV transmission through sexual networks. Resistance testing before initiating antiretroviral therapy is important for newly diagnosed inmates."
Public Library of Science ONE
05.2009; Vol. 4; No. 5: doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0005416; Krishna Jafa, Peter McElroy, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Craig B. Borkowf, Robin MacGowan, Andrew Margolis, Ken Robbins, Ae Saekhou Youngpairoj, Dale Stratford, Alan Greenberg, Jennifer Taussig, R. Luke Shouse, Madeleine LaMarre, Eleanor McLellan-Lemal, Walid Heneine, Patrick S. Sullivan
This article was provided by CDC National Prevention Information Network. It is a part of the publication CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update.