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International Summaries: AIDS-HIV Within the Swedish Correctional System

NCJ Number
120341
Author(s)
U Jonsson; L Krantz
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Surveys conducted in November 1988 and May 1989 provided information to add to the January 1988 baseline survey regarding the incidence of HIV infection among inmates, probationers, and offenders in diversionary or community-based corrections programs in Sweden.
Abstract
Results revealed that on May 8, 1989, a total of 167 known HIV-positive offenders were known to be among the approximately 17,000 offenders in the Swedish correctional system. This number represented a decline from the 177 reported in November 1988 and indicated that approximately 1 percent of the correctional population is HIV positive. This rate of infection is 40 times that of the general Swedish population. Most of the HIV-positive offenders are drug abusers and represent approximately 35 percent of the drug addicts. Fifty-four percent of the HIV-infected offenders used intravenous opiate drugs; 30 percent used intravenous amphetamines; 8 percent did not use intravenous drugs; and 8 percent did not use drugs. Twenty-nine percent were enrolled in or were on a waiting list for methadone programs. Of the HIV-positive offenders, 80 percent lived in the community, 16 percent in institutions, and 4 percent in jails. Seventy-four percent were located in the Stockholm area, and approximately 80 percent were between ages 25 and 39. Methadone was the main treatment approach for drug addicts with AIDS or AIDS-related complex.