A descriptive profile of health problems, health services utilization, and HIV serostatus among incarcerated male drug abusers.

The number of incarcerated offenders is increasing, and many have physical and mental health problems. Drug-involved prisoners exhibit more health problems and greater rates of chronic health problems than prisoners who have not used drugs. Furthermore, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevalence rates are generally high in prisons. This descriptive study profiles health problems (including HIV) and health services utilization in a sample of drug-involved prisoners from a rural state. HIV seropositivity appeared to be unrelated to drug use, except for marijuana use. Only liver problems were significantly associated with HIV serostatus. A history of mental health treatment was related to a greater likelihood of being HIV+. HIV status was most clearly associated with sexual risk behaviors. These preliminary findings suggest that prisons represent an important site for targeted behavioral health interventions focused on HIV risk reduction.