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Abstract
BRIGHT project qualitative substudy: perceptions of release among incarcerated HIV-infected persons and implications for practice
D.F. Haley1, A. Scheyett2, C.E. Golin3, D.A. Wohl3, A.H. Kaplan3, S. Parker2, M. Green4, T. Mc Kay3, M. Williams3, T. Williams3, B. Stephenson3
Background: Following release, HIV+ former inmates face multiple barriers to accessing health care and to reentering their community successfully. Little is known about HIV+ inmates’ perceptions of release and community re-integration or how these perceptions influence post-release outcomes. We conducted an initial qualitative exploration of this transition. Our aim is to inform future research and programming with the long term goal of helping to design successful reintegration interventions.
Methods: Twenty-six interviews were conducted with incarcerated HIV+ men and women about to be released from the North Carolina state prison system. Interviews captured the social contexts and life histories of these individuals, focusing on their thoughts about release and post-release life. Two researchers independently coded interviews for themes and subthemes using principles of grounded theory methodology. Selected codes were reviewed by an Interpretive Community.
Results: Three main themes emerged: mixed emotions related to release, HIV-related care after release and substance abuse as a barrier to good outcomes. Participants described release as a time of mixed emotions including excitement, fear and uncertainty, which were closely linked to perceived quality of community relationships, housing, access to services and substance abuse. Although many viewed HIV-related care as an important component of staying healthy and being successful, most participants saw this as a manageable part of their lives. However, participants overwhelmingly viewed their histories of substance abuse, violence and the struggle to avoid prior drug-related and criminal behavior as critical barriers to achieving optimal medication adherence and other post-release outcomes.
Conclusions: Findings suggest a need exists for more intensive release preparation programs for HIV+ inmates that provide not only HIV-related care and support services, but also include issues of safe housing, self-support, substance abuse and related mental health services that span both pre and post-release.
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
THPE0717
Suggested Citation
"D.F.Haley, et al.
BRIGHT project qualitative substudy: perceptions of release among incarcerated HIV-infected persons and implications for practice.
:
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
THPE0717"
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