TY - JOUR
T1 - In-facility HIV peer-based rehabilitation programs’ role in linkage to care among persons transitioning from correctional to community-based HIV care in South Africa
AU - Fernando, Nimasha B.
AU - Woznica, Daniel M.
AU - Mabuto, Tonderai
AU - Hoffmann, Christopher J.
N1 - Funding Information:
The authors appreciate the time provided by all participants and the clinical and correctional service teams within the South African Department of Corrections Services. The authors also thank the Dr James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement Fellowship program, especially Dr Harolyn Belcher, Dr Damani Piggott and Dr Kathryn Van Eck, for providing 2018 summer research mentorship and support. Funding : This journal article was supported by the Grant or Cooperative Agreement Number, 1 NU50MN000004, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.
Funding Information:
The authors appreciate the time provided by all participants and the clinical and correctional service teams within the South African Department of Corrections Services. The authors also thank the Dr James A. Ferguson Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Initiatives for Student Enhancement Fellowship program, especially Dr Harolyn Belcher, Dr Damani Piggott and Dr Kathryn Van Eck, for providing 2018 summer research mentorship and support. Funding: This journal article was supported by the Grant or Cooperative Agreement Number, 1 NU50MN000004, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.
PY - 2022/11/24
Y1 - 2022/11/24
N2 - Purpose: This analysis aims to examine the role of pre-release, HIV-related, peer-based rehabilitation program attendance on post-release linkage to community-based HIV care in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach: During a post-release linkage-to-care prospective study, participants from six correctional facilities who had an HIV-positive diagnosis and were taking anti-retroviral medications at release (N = 351) self-reported rehabilitation program participation. Linkage-to-care status 90 days post-release was verified by medical chart review. Findings: In a binomial regression model, HIV-related, peer-based rehabilitation program attendance was insignificant (relative risk [RR] 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.8, 1.4], p-value = 0.7), but short-/long-term incarceration site (RR 1.5, 95% CI [1.0, 2.1], p-value = 0.04) and relationship status pre-incarceration (RR 1.9, 95% CI [1.0, 3.6], p-value = 0.05) were significantly associated with linkage to HIV care post-release. Originality/value: Rehabilitation and peer-based HIV programs have had demonstrated benefit in other settings. Assessment of current programs may identify opportunities for improvement.
AB - Purpose: This analysis aims to examine the role of pre-release, HIV-related, peer-based rehabilitation program attendance on post-release linkage to community-based HIV care in South Africa. Design/methodology/approach: During a post-release linkage-to-care prospective study, participants from six correctional facilities who had an HIV-positive diagnosis and were taking anti-retroviral medications at release (N = 351) self-reported rehabilitation program participation. Linkage-to-care status 90 days post-release was verified by medical chart review. Findings: In a binomial regression model, HIV-related, peer-based rehabilitation program attendance was insignificant (relative risk [RR] 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.8, 1.4], p-value = 0.7), but short-/long-term incarceration site (RR 1.5, 95% CI [1.0, 2.1], p-value = 0.04) and relationship status pre-incarceration (RR 1.9, 95% CI [1.0, 3.6], p-value = 0.05) were significantly associated with linkage to HIV care post-release. Originality/value: Rehabilitation and peer-based HIV programs have had demonstrated benefit in other settings. Assessment of current programs may identify opportunities for improvement.
KW - HIV
KW - Incarceration
KW - Linkage to care
KW - Prison
KW - Reentry
KW - South Africa
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U2 - 10.1108/IJPH-05-2021-0044
DO - 10.1108/IJPH-05-2021-0044
M3 - Article
C2 - 35076191
AN - SCOPUS:85123842941
SN - 1744-9200
VL - 18
SP - 473
EP - 482
JO - International Journal of Prisoner Health
JF - International Journal of Prisoner Health
IS - 4
ER -