NCJ Number
166325
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 24 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1997) Pages: 205-223
Date Published
1997
Length
19 pages
Annotation
Despite the scope of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among female offenders, little is known about the risk behaviors of these women and even less about ways in which to reduce HIV/AIDS among this population.
Abstract
The authors describe the development of an eight-session group cognitive-behavioral and social support enhancement intervention that aims to reduce HIV risk among drug-using female offenders. The intervention is based on social-cognitive theory and informed by other skills training approaches with demonstrated efficacy in reducing HIV risk. Help-seeking and social support skills are unique to the intervention, as is an eight-session booster conducted after release from jail to enhance the transfer of skills to the community. Intervention goals are to decrease risk behaviors, including unsafe sexual practices and needle sharing, and to increase safer sexual practices, including condom use and abstinence. The eight sessions focus on increasing basic HIV/AIDS knowledge, increasing perceived vulnerability, changing attitudes toward and barriers to condom use, developing cognitive-behavioral and technical skills, enhancing social supports, and identifying needs. 43 references