HIV in prison in low income countries

Abstract

HIV and tuberculosis are highly prevalent in institutional settings in low income countries. This is due to the communities where the institutions are located and the risky behavior of inmates. Many low income countries do not survey these populations or are unwilling to release this information. Thus it is difficult to accomplish change in prison health systems. One study surveyed the prisoners at the MACA prison whose medical staff provides for approximately 1800 prisoners a month. Multiple governmental agencies stepped in to provide education HIV testing and counseling to prisoners. Testing indicated the HIV prevalence among prisoners was higher than that of the overall population thus demonstrating the need for countries to monitor HIV among prison inmates.