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Clinical Trial
. 2009 Nov 25;4(11):e7648.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0007648.

Routine opt-out HIV testing strategies in a female jail setting: a prospective controlled trial

Ravi Kavasery  1 , Duncan Smith-Rohrberg Maru, Joshua Cornman-Homonoff, Laurie N Sylla, David Smith, Frederick L Altice
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Routine opt-out HIV testing strategies in a female jail setting: a prospective controlled trial

Ravi Kavasery et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Ten million Americans enter jails annually. The objective was to evaluate new CDC guidelines for routine opt-out HIV testing and examine the optimal time to implement routine opt-out HIV testing among newly incarcerated jail detainees.

Methods: This prospective, controlled trial of routine opt-out HIV testing was conducted among 323 newly incarcerated female inmates in Connecticut's only women's jail. 323 sequential entrants to the women's jail over a five week period in August and September 2007 were assigned to be offered routine opt-out HIV testing at one of three points after incarceration: immediate (same day, n = 108), early (next day, n = 108), or delayed (7 days, n = 107). The primary outcome was the proportion of women in each group consenting to testing.

Results: Routine opt-out HIV testing was significantly highest (73%) among the early testing group compared to 55% for immediate and 50% for 7 days post-entry groups. Other factors significantly (p = 0.01) associated with being HIV tested were younger age and low likelihood of early release from jail based on bond value or type of charge for which women were arrested.

Conclusions: In this correctional facility, routine opt-out HIV testing in a jail setting was feasible, with highest rates of testing if performed the day after incarceration. Lower testing rates were seen with immediate testing, where there is a high prevalence of inability or unwillingness to test, and with delayed testing, where attrition from jail increases with each passing day.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00624247.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Disposition of Inmates Approached for HIV Testing.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Rapid HIV Testing Swab Results by Assigned Testing Group.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Time to Release Following Incarceration.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Springer SA, Altice FL. Managing HIV/AIDS in correctional settings. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2005;2:165–170. - PubMed

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