Levels of Knowledge and Risk Perceptions About HIV/AIDS Among Female Inmates in New York State: Can Prison-Based HIV Programs Set the Stage for Behavior Change?

• NCJ Number: 194278
• Journal: The Prison Journal Volume: 82 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2002 Pages: 101-124
• Author(s): Kimberly Collica
• Date Published: March 2002
• Length: 24 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study investigated levels of knowledge about HIV/AIDS, self-reported behaviors that lead to an increased risk for HIV infection, and perceptions of future behavior modification among adult female inmates in the AIDS Counseling and Education (ACE) Program at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, the only maximum-security prison for women in New York State.

Abstract

ACE provides HIV/AIDS education to approximately 6,000 female inmates each year. Materials and workshops are provided in both English and Spanish. In addition, the program provides individual counseling, HIV testing, outreach services, support groups, annual events, professional training, and discharge planning/case management. Because of ACE's connection to the Women's Prison Association, a community-based agency that serves the needs of ex-offenders, important follow-up services are provided when the women are released. Women who were in the program at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility were asked to voluntarily participate in a study that examined the effectiveness of prison-based HIV/AIDS programming. Questionnaires were used as a tool to measure levels of knowledge, risk perceptions, and perceptions of future behavior modification. Each survey (pretest and posttest) took approximately 20 minutes to administer to each group. The study yielded a sample size of 35 women for the pretest and 27 women for the posttest. Most women expressed a desire to modify their behaviors based on the information provided to them during the workshop series; however, women's responses regarding heterosexual relationships indicated that they believed men had most of the power in such relationships. This suggests that more education should be conducted with male partners in curtailing risky behavior. In addition to being educated, women must acquire skills for negotiating safer sex with their partners. HIV classes that incorporate more types of kinesthetic learning techniques (e.g., role plays, assertiveness, and communication) are needed. Follow-up services can be tailored to assist in implementing behavioral changes. Limitations and difficulties in the research are discussed, along with future study implications. 2 tables, 1 figure, and 45 references