HIV prevalence at reception into Australian prisons, 1991-1997

Data from a national monitoring system in place after 1991 in Australia indicate that prevalence of HIV infection among those entering prisons was low and that rates of HIV antibody testing were high.To measure the extent and outcome of HIV antibody testing of prisoners when they entered Australian prisons, a cross-sectional survey was carried out, 1991-97. HIV infection continues to be found in the group entering Australian prisons, as can be seen from the fact that people not known before to the prison health service to have HIV infection entered prison in each year. HIV prevalence in those entering prisons was at least three times that of the overall population.