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Learning Objective:
By the end of this presentation, participants will discuss the risk factors within the corrections system for the transmission of blood borne infections and list behavior changes to reduce risk; describe how to incorporate risk reduction messages into correctional healthcare settings and discuss opportunities to integrate prevention into existing programs; and review methods to evaluate impact of risk reduction education on inmate and staff knowledge.
Background:
According to some corrections officials, hepatitis C is one of the most significant challenges facing the corrections system today. Prevention of disease benefits inmates, staff, and communities to which most inmates will eventually return. While the importance of providing prevention messages is obvious, barriers such as lack of funding, overburdened staff, low literacy rates among inmates, and a lack of effective low-cost prevention strategies have prohibited many institutions from developing comprehensive education programs. The Awareness Alliance, which is comprised of Hep C Connection, Mountain Plains AIDS Education and Training Center, Center for Research Strategies, and Little Voice, has been working for the last year to develop, produce, evaluate, and distribute a 14 minute video.
Setting:
Various community and institutional settings such as jails, prisons, community corrections, substance abuse treatment centers, and homeless shelters.
Population e.g. API Youth, MSM, IDU:
Adult incarcerated and community corrections populations and staff members.
Project Description:
Filmed on location at a county jail facility, the video features real people, not actors, and includes clear prevention messages pre-tested to be culturally appropriate and broadly appealing to the target audiences. Participants will view the finished product and discuss ways to integrate this tool into health education programs for high risk populations.
Results/Lessons Learned:
The project explains how jail, prison, community corrections, and outreach staff can enhance and expand existing prevention efforts by incorporating tested prevention messages into HIV and other health education programs.
See more of F5 - Hepatitis Prevention and Education in Corrections: Just Do It!!
See more of The 2005 National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference