Retention in HIV care during the 3 years following release from incarceration: a cohort study, Kelsey Loeliger et al., PLoS Medicine (2018)

Retention in care for people living with HIV (PLHIV) post-incarceration remains a problem. In the state of Connecticut, fewer than half (41.5%) of PLHIV had sustained retention in care at three years post-release.

This study included 1,904 PLHIV who were released from prisons or jails in the state of Connecticut between 2007 and 2011.  Viral load served as the proxy for engagement in care, with “sustained 3-year [retention in care]” defined as having one or more viral load tests every six months during the follow-up window with at least 60 days between tests. According to the authors, 1) being older than 45, 2) being insured, 3) being re-incarcerated for more than 90 days during the 3-year follow-up, 4) receiving over 30 case management visits, and 5) receiving linkage to care within two weeks after initial release were associated with sustained retention in care.