HIV Counseling and Testing of Young Men in Prison

HIV counseling and testing are the first steps to diagnosing and managing HIV infection. This article describes factors associated with HIV testing and counseling in prisons with different policies for HIV testing (voluntary, during medical evaluation; voluntary, during peer-led class; mandatory) and counseling (all counseled, or pretest counseling not required and posttest for positive only). Prisoner testing rates were 46% “voluntary, peer-led”, 78% “mandatory”, and 86% “voluntary, medical.” Less than 50% received any counseling. Results suggest the potential value of coordinating HIV and STD/hepatitis services across all policies. Risk behaviors or demographic factors were only associated with one testing or one counseling policy. Prisons can achieve high rates of HIV testing by routinely offering voluntary HIV testing during the medical intake process, and this may result in increased diagnosis of HIV infection.