PERCEPTIONS OF HIV AND PREVENTION EDUCATION AMONG INMATES OF ALABAMA PRISONS

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Prevention
• Correctional Healthcare

Background:

• Limited knowledge of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission routes was observed in a significant portion of the incarcerated population.
• Skin infections, such as those caused by Staphylococcus aureus, were noted, potentially indicating lowered immunity and undiagnosed HIV infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a comprehensive HIV prevention education program within a correctional facility.
• To assess the impact of the training on inmates' knowledge of HIV transmission and self-protection behaviors.

Main Methods:

• A 3-year interactive and passive training program on HIV prevention was delivered to 2,600 inmates from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds.
• Pre- and post-training assessments were conducted to measure changes in knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS transmission routes.

Main Results:

• Prior to the intervention, less than 20% of inmates possessed complete knowledge of all HIV transmission routes.
• Following the educational intervention, 96% of participants demonstrated increased awareness of HIV/AIDS transmission.
• The training empowered inmates with knowledge to better protect themselves against HIV infection.

Conclusions:

• The HIV prevention education model effectively increased knowledge and awareness of HIV transmission among prisoners.
• The study highlights the importance of targeted health education in correctional settings to mitigate infectious disease risks.
• Staphylococcal infections in this population warrant further investigation as potential indicators of underlying immune compromise, possibly linked to undiagnosed HIV.