Jail inmates and HIV care: provision of antiretroviral therapy and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis.

The objective of this study was to examine prescription and acceptance of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis in jail and at release. A retrospective cross sectional design was used, by record review, of 77 inmates receiving HIV-related care in the San Francisco City and County Jail and released to the community in 1997. Average CD4 cell count was 335/microl. Fifteen had undectable HIV RNA, and average viral load was 19,826 copies/ml. Fifty-eight per cent were put on ART in jail. Lower CD4 cell count was associated with ART (P=0.017). All inmates with CD4 cell counts less than 200/microl received PCP prophylaxis. According to 1996 guidelines, 72% of those eligible for ART were on therapy. Of 24 inmates released on ART, 71% followed medical advice and picked up medication at release. HIV care in the San Francisco Jail met high standards and exceeded levels reported in other populations.