HIV and Education



HIV and Education

Section 1

Article 1

HIV Risk Behaviors, Knowledge, And Prevention Education Among Offenders Under Community Supervision: A Hidden Risk Group.

Objective Of The Study

Numerous studies have established that incarcerated populations are at substantial risk for HIV infection. In response, many jails and prisons have increased HIV prevention and related services. However, although twice as many offenders are under community supervision as are incarcerated at any given time, HIV prevention needs have been largely ignored among probationers and parolees, and little is known about their HIV risk behaviors or HIV prevention needs. Compared with inmates, probationers and parolees have substantially greater opportunities to engage in HIV risk behaviors. In the present study, we describe HIV risk behaviors, knowledge, and prevention education experiences of probationers and parolees in New York City. We find that probationers and parolees have high rates of unprotected sex, and limited current exposure to effective HIV education and prevention interventions. Probation and parole departments need to improve HIV training for officers and make HIV risk reduction services more available.

Methodology Employed

As part of a larger study of HIVservice needs and access in high-risk criminal justice populations, interviews and focus groups were conducted with offenders under community supervision in Manhattan, New York, and with staff involved in their supervision and care. In this article we draw mainly on findings from structured interviews conducted with 200 probationers and parolees. In addition, we incorporate qualitative information drawn from three focus groups with parolees and semistructured interviews with staff from correctional and community-based organizations.

Conclusions Of The Study

To strengthen the generalizability of the findings reported here, similar analyses should be replicated with larger, random samples of parolees and probationers. Such samples will also allow for more detailed analyses of the risk behavior experiences and service needs of HIVpositive probationers and parolees. More extensive analyses of the content and delivery of HIVservices to this population, including the use of peer educators, and gender and cultural sensitivity, are also needed.

Section 2

Article 2

Responsiveness to HIV Education and VCT Services among Kenyan Rural Women: A Community-Based Survey

Objective Of The Study

Uptake of VCT and other HIV prevention strategies among rural African women is affected by various socio-cultural and economic factors which need elucidation. Our aim was to establish the responsiveness to HIV education among rural women attending three dispensaries in Kenya. This study was designed to assess gender and psycho-social factors that influence HIV dynamics in rural Kenya.

Methodology ...