Preventing HIV/AIDS in drug-abusing incarcerated women through skills building and social support enhancement: Preliminary outcomes.

Health Promotion Programs

May 2021

Full Citation

El-Bassel, N., Ivanoff, A., Schilling, R. F., Gilbert, L., Borne, D., & Chen, D. R. (1995). Preventing HIV/AIDS in drug-abusing incarcerated women through skills building and social support enhancement: Preliminary outcomes. Social Work Research, 19(3), 131-141.

Abstract

Despite escalating rates of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) among incarcerated women, few jails provide more than minimal HIV prevention programs. This pilot study tested the efficacy of a skills-building and social support enhancement intervention designed to reduce the spread of AIDS among 145 incarcerated women with recent histories of significant drug abuse. Participants were randomly assigned to either informational group sessions on HIV/AIDS prevention or group sessions on skills building and social support enhancement. Six major outcomes were used to compare the efficacy of the two interventions: safer sex practices, perceived vulnerability to HIV infection, sexual self-efficacy, coping skills, AIDS knowledge, and perceived emotional support. Participants in the second group showed modest improvement in three outcomes. This study confirmed the feasibility of implementing a skills-building intervention for drug-using women in jail.