Do as I Say, Not What I Do: The Practices of HIV Prison Peer Educators

The rate of new HIV infections has declined over the past several years. Mass education pertaining to preventive measures is often credited for its decline, particularly among incarcerated populations where the infection rates are often higher than in the general community. Interestingly, those tasked with providing the education may not always practice the preventive measures taught. Interviews were conducted with 49 incarcerated women who worked in two HIV prison-based peer programs during their incarceration. Responses indicated that although participants were comfortable discussing their sex/drug histories with partners or potential partners, approximately half of participants did not practice safer sex consistently during/after the time they were working as HIV peer educators.