HIV seroprevalence among male prison inmates in the Wisconsin Correctional System.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate HIV seroprevalence and the acceptance of voluntary HIV testing among male inmates entering the Wisconsin Correctional System during July 1, 1994-June 30, 1995, and compare these estimates with similar data obtained in 1987-1988. METHODS: A blinded HIV seroprevalence survey concurrent with a review of voluntary HIV antibody testing records. RESULTS: HIV test results were obtained for 3,681 (89%) male prison entrants during the study period; 26 (0.7%) were HIV-1 seropositive. Based on this estimate and the total number of male prison entrants (4,134), an estimated 29 HIV-1 seropositive male inmates entered the Wisconsin Correctional System during the study period. Eighty-four percent of all inmates were tested voluntarily. Among inmates testing HIV-1 seropositive, 69% were tested voluntarily. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that HIV-1 seroprevalence among male prison inmates in Wisconsin is low, and is unchanged from the late 1980s; however, a large increase in the prison population has resulted in a substantial increase in the absolute number of HIV-1 seropositive inmates entering the correctional system. Although overall acceptance of voluntary HIV testing is high, nearly one third of HIV-1 seropositive inmates declined voluntary HIV testing.