Using arrest charge to screen for undiagnosed HIV infection among new arrestees: a study in Los Angeles County

Despite high documented HIV prevalence, few jail systems offer universal HIV screening, nor is this always feasible. The authors evaluated undiagnosed HIV infection and HIV risk history by arrest charge among 1,322 new arrestees to examine whether specific charges may help prioritize jail-based screening. Undiagnosed HIV prevalence was 2.7% and 1.0% among males and females, with 32% and 45% reporting recent STD diagnoses or high-risk behaviors for HIV. HIV risk history distinguished HIV-infected males but not females. Males with parole violation, sex, or theft charges had high undiagnosed HIV infection rates relative to other males. A weaker trend was observed for females with parole violation, drug, or violent charges. These charges represented 30% and 66% of males and females studied and 56% and 100% of their undiagnosed HIV infections, respectively. Using arrest charge to target screening may efficiently increase HIV diagnosis in jail inmates where universal HIV screening is not possible.