HIV Risk Reduction for Incarcerated Women A Comparison of Brief Interventions Based on Two Theoretical Models

• Published in: Journal of consulting and clinical psychology Vol. 65; no. 3; pp. 504 - 509
• Main Authors: St. Lawrence, Janet S, Eldridge, Gloria D, Shelby, Millicent C, Little, Connie E, Brasfield, Ted L, O'Bannon, Robert E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Psychological Association 01-06-1997
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - prevention & control; Adolescent; Adult; AIDS Prevention; AIDS/HIV; At Risk Populations; Attitude to Health; Biological and medical sciences; Comparative studies; Condoms - statistics & numerical data; Female; Followup Studies; Health Promotion; Health risk assessment; HIV; HIV Seropositivity; Human; Human Females; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Immunodeficiencies; Immunodeficiencies. Immunoglobulinopathies; Immunopathology; Incarcerated; Intervention; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Prevention and actions; Prisoners; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Risk Management; Risk reduction; Role Playing; Sex Role Attitudes; Social Cognition; Specific populations (family, woman, child, elderly...); USA; Women; Women's Health; United States; North America; America; Infection; Social environment; Human; Prevention; Immunopathology; Carceral environment; Viral disease; Female; AIDS; Immune deficiency; Public health
• ISSN: 0022-006X; 1939-2117
• DOI: 10.1037/0022-006X.65.3.504

Although female inmates are seropositive at rates that exceed those of male inmates, few studies have evaluated HIV risk reduction interventions for incarcerated women. This demonstration project compared an intervention based on social cognitive theory against a comparison condition based on the theory of gender and power. Incarcerated women (
N
= 90) were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and again 6 months later. Both interventions produced increased self efficacy, self-esteem, Attitudes Toward Prevention Scale scores, AIDS knowledge, communication skill, and condom application skills that maintained through the 6-month follow-up period. Participants in the intervention based on social cognitive theory showed greater improvement in condom application skills, and women in the program based on the theory of gender and power evidenced greater commitment to change. The results suggests brief interventions in prison settings are feasible and beneficial. However, it is not yet known whether the changes will generalize into the natural environment after the women's release into the community.