AEGiS-NHIVPC: Models of Intergrating HIV Prevention in Programs Serving Incarcerated and Newly Released Women Living with HIV/AIDS

National HIV Prevention Conference

Atlanta, Georgia, USA — July 27 - 30, 2003

Models of Intergrating HIV Prevention in Programs Serving Incarcerated and Newly Released Women Living with HIV/AIDS

Natl HIV Prev Conf 2003 July 27-30:abstract no. M1-G0701
Bowers M, Keeling D, Williams D
Office of Women's Health, Washington, DC

ISSUE: Incarcerated and Newly released programs that attempt to provide prevention services for women who are at risk or living with HIV/STDs.

SETTING: Community Based Organizations in Boston, St. Louis, and Denver.

PROJECT: Three CBOs provided comprehensive HIV/STD prevention services to incarcerated and newly released women at risk or living with HIV. The purpose was to establish a continuum of care model and include prevention strategies to reduce negative health outcomes. The programs varied in approach: "New Transitions" in St. Louis links with the court systems to provide services, "ABCD Cares" in Boston goes into the prisons for pre-release services, in "Women's AIDS Project" in Denver works with the homeless population. All program sites offered discharge planning, transitional case management, and mental health support groups.

RESULTS: In St Louis, out of 80 women to be released women who entered to program 52% have shown positive outcomes in abstaining from drug and alcohol use. Among other participants 50% show an increase in education level, income and employment. In Boston, out of 110 women to be discharged 60 (52%) women received continued support and health services upon reentry into the community. In Denver, 70% of the women involved in the program successfully completed the program. Of all participants, 45% provided with affordable housing in communities that assure a continuum of care for homeless women at risk or living with HIV.

LESSONS LEARNED: The majority of the target population has little or no knowledge about accessing care and services, in order to effectively serve this population in enhancing access to care, programs must be designed to address multiple levels of needs. Collaborative relationships must be apart of all prevention efforts within this population. Specific efforts should be in place with the court systems, probation, and parole offices to be aware of the program services for referral purposes.

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