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Learning Objective:
By the end of the presentation participants will be able to:
1. Develop strategies for hepatitis prevention with the incarcerated population.
2. Recognize curriculum activities that work for this population.
Background:
One in every four Arizona inmates entering the Department of Corrections is identified as having Hepatitis C. The incarcerated population engages in high risk behaviors including sharing tattooing and injection drug using equipment. In 1993 Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) published a needs assessment which determined that prevention services to inmates were non-existent in the areas of health education and risk reduction. This initiated the Health Education Living Program (HELP) beginning in 1996. HELP focused on HIV/STD prevention, communication/decision making skills, and harm reduction. This program started in one Maricopa County jail and then expanded. In 2003, MCDPH received funds from the CDC to integrate viral Hepatitis prevention into the program. The HELP program now became the Hepatitis Education, Prevention, and Survival (HEPS) program.
Setting:
Seven county jails and four state prisons.
Population e.g. API Youth, MSM, IDU:
Male and female adult inmates.
Project Description:
This project has two tiers: one is classroom prevention education inside the jails; the second is preparation of peer educators to educate other inmates in various prison settings. The program evaluates increase in knowledge, change of attitudes, peer-educators and facilitators effectiveness.
Results/Lessons Learned:
Even though jails and prisons are about security, the cost of keeping inmates healthy is a big consideration. With inmates trained in harm reduction and prevention messages, other inmates become aware of the disease, comfortable asking their peers personal questions and getting the right answers. This program has impacted people's lives by preventing further infections but also keeping inmates healthy as long as possible.
See more of F5 - Hepatitis Prevention and Education in Corrections: Just Do It!!
See more of The 2005 National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference