Work

“You're in a World of Chaos”: Experiences Accessing HIV Care and Adhering to Medications After Incarceration

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: Most HIV-infected inmates leave prison with a suppressed viral load; many, however, become disconnected from care and nonadherent to medications during reentry to community life. In this secondary data analysis of focus groups (n = 6) and in-depth interviews (n = 9) with 46 formerly incarcerated HIV-infected people during reentry, we used an inductive analytic approach to explore the interplay between individual, interpersonal, community, and structural factors and HIV management. Participants described barriers and facilitators to care engagement and adherence at each of these four levels, as well as a milieu of HIV and incarceration-related stigma and discrimination. The constellation of barriers and facilitators created competing demands and a sense of chaos in participants' lives, which led them to address reentry-related basic needs (e.g., housing, food) before health care needs. Interventions that simultaneously address multiple levels, including augmenting employment and housing opportunities, enhancing social support, and reducing stigma, are needed.

Source: Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care

DOI: 10.1016/j.jana.2015.06.001

Authors: Alexis C. Dennis, Clare Barrington, Sayaka Hino, Michele Gould, David Wohl, Carol E. Golin

Institutions: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Texas Christian University, Duke University

Language: English

Topic: HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions

Subfield: Infectious Diseases

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green