High Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection among Inmates in Korean Correctional Facilities
- Author:
Sejin CHOI
1
;
Eunyoung LEE
;
Ji Hwan BANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science 2021;36(14):e92-
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Epidemiological data are crucial in designing policies for the control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. There is a lack of data on the epidemiology of HIV in Korean correctional facilities such as jails and prisons.
Methods:Clinical characteristics of the study population were collected through a medical record review.
Results:The number of people with HIV infection were 83 and the HIV infection prevalence in correctional facilities of Korea was 0.15%. Among them, 10 (12.0%) were diagnosed with the infection when they were incarcerated. The number of drug users was 38 (45.8%).Syphilis-HIV coinfection was observed in 21 (25.3%) patients. Individuals from the group comprising the drug users were more likely to belong to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community, and had a higher incidence of psychological disorders (31.6% vs. 11.1%, P = 0.029; 50.0% vs. 28.9%, P = 0.049, respectively).
Conclusion:Inmates of correctional facilities showed a five times higher prevalence of HIV infection in Korea, nearly half of whom were drug users.
