Abstract
To determine if a structural intervention of providing one condom a week to inmates in the Los Angeles County Men’s Central
Jail MSM unit reduces HIV transmissions and net social cost, we estimated numbers of new HIV infections (1) when condoms are
available; and (2) when they are not. Input data came from a 2007 survey of inmates, the literature and intervention program
records. Base case estimates showed that condom distribution averted 1/4 of HIV transmissions. We predict .8 new infections
monthly among 69 HIV-negative, sexually active inmates without condom distribution, but .6 new infections with condom availability.
The discounted future medical costs averted due to fewer HIV transmissions exceed program costs, so condom distribution in
jail reduces total costs. Cost savings were sensitive to the proportion of anal sex acts protected by condoms, thus allowing
inmates more than one condom per week could potentially increase the program’s effectiveness.
Jail MSM unit reduces HIV transmissions and net social cost, we estimated numbers of new HIV infections (1) when condoms are
available; and (2) when they are not. Input data came from a 2007 survey of inmates, the literature and intervention program
records. Base case estimates showed that condom distribution averted 1/4 of HIV transmissions. We predict .8 new infections
monthly among 69 HIV-negative, sexually active inmates without condom distribution, but .6 new infections with condom availability.
The discounted future medical costs averted due to fewer HIV transmissions exceed program costs, so condom distribution in
jail reduces total costs. Cost savings were sensitive to the proportion of anal sex acts protected by condoms, thus allowing
inmates more than one condom per week could potentially increase the program’s effectiveness.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0190-5
- Authors
- Arleen A. Leibowitz, Department of Public Policy, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, Box 951656, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1656, USA
- Nina Harawa, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, College of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Mary Sylla, C*Change, Division of Public Health Foundation Enterprise, Inc, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Christopher C. Hallstrom, Department of Mathematics, University of Portland, Portland, OR, USA
- Peter R. Kerndt, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Journal AIDS and Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-3254
- Print ISSN 1090-7165