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Prevention Program Results

Check out the summary of results for the following prevention programs:

• Prevention Case Management (PCM)
• High-Risk Youth (HRY)
• The Trauma Addiction And Recovery (TAMAR) Project
• SISTA Program
• IDU Program (Project SMART)

Prevention Case Management (PCM)

The Prevention Case Management program served clients incarcerated in local jails and state Division of Correction facilities during June 2003 to July 2004. During this time, there were 1076 participants at 11 different sites, who completed a total of 1014 pretests, 620 posttests, and 590 client contact logs (which document the number of sessions and total hours of participation for each client).

Participants included both females (54%) and males (46%) and were mainly African American (58%). Their average age was 32 and most (73%) were ages 20-39. Most (80%) had a high school education or less. Participants typically completed about 7 sessions and spent a total of 7 ½ hours in the program.

Summary of the Findings

Pretest and posttest comparisons showed positive improvements on all outcomes. Participants showed increases in HIV/AIDS knowledge; an increase in perceived risk for HIV; more positive attitudes towards condoms, and greater self-efficacy to use condoms; improved self-efficacy to reduce injecting drug-related risk and to reduce other substance-related risk as well; and stronger intentions to reduce sexual risk behaviors after their release. These findings are consistent with results from previous years.

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High-Risk Youth (HRY)

The High-Risk Youth (HRY) program focuses on youth ages 14 and up, and projects use one of two curricula proven to reduce risk in youth: Becoming A Responsible Teen and Making Proud Choices. Projects were in one of two categories: facilitator projects (adult training of youth) or peer educator projects (training of youth to act as educators for other youth). From July through December, 2003, a total of 807 pretests and 392 posttests were received from 17 HRY projects, and matching pretests and posttests were identified for 238 participants.

Participants in peer educator projects were mainly female (70%) and African American (80%), and ages 14 to 18 (79%). Participants in facilitator projects were mainly male (64%), but were also typically African American (50%) and ages 14-18 (91%).

Summary of the Findings

Youth in both types of projects showed significant increases in knowledge about HIV and AIDS, in awareness of HIV/AIDS-related services, and in positive attitudes towards condom use. Also, youth in peer educator projects (but not facilitator projects) showed an increase in perceived peer support for safer sex. No increases were found in perceived risk or in self-efficacy to use condoms.

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The Trauma Addiction And Recovery (TAMAR) Project

The TAMAR project is an ongoing Mental Health Administration project for victims of trauma in detention centers. The program was conducted primarily in small groups but also included individual counseling. Pretest and posttest were administered to program participants after they signed their consent forms. The instrument addressed questions on trauma, coping skills, self-efficacy, self-esteem, social support, knowledge of HIV/AIDS risk behaviors, utilization of prevention services, post-discharge intention of using services, and barriers to using these prevention services.

Summary of the Findings

As of June 30, 2004, 143 participants completed the pretest and 63 participants completed the posttest. Forty-four percent of the participants were between the ages of 19 and 29 years and 33% between 30 and 39 years. Fifty-nine percent were White and 26% African American.

The findings were promising in the prevention of HIV risk behavior among the high-risk women in the detention centers. There were differences between pretest and posttest in self-esteem, communication and negotiation skills, attitude towards condom and behavioral intentions.

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SISTA Program

Between July 1 and December 31, 2003:

15 vendors implemented 16 SISTA projects reaching 1753 participants. After giving oral consent, 1163 completed the pretest and 453 completed the posttest.

Summary of the Findings

Knowledge, Self-esteem & Self-efficacy:

• There was significant difference between pretest and posttest knowledge scores.
• Whites had higher knowledge scores than other race/ethnic groups.
• Although there was change of knowledge from pretest to posttest in all age groups, the greatest improvement was seen in those between 30 and 39 years of age.
• There was a significant relation between hours of intervention attended and knowledge scores. The more hours of intervention participants received, the greater the change in knowledge and self-efficacy scores at posttest.
• There was a small but not significant change in sexual risk reduction self-efficacy from pretest to posttest.
• Women reported an improved and positive self-esteem at posttest.

Behavior Intention at Posttest:

• Most African Americans reported intentions to use condoms.
• The majority of participants intended to always use condoms during vaginal, anal and oral sex.

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IDU Program (Project SMART)

Between July 1 and December 31, 2003:

Eight vendors implemented 9 Project SMART projects with 1878 participants. After obtaining oral consent, 642 completed the pretest and 840 completed the posttest.

Thirty-three percent of the participants were between the ages of 30 and 39 years and 31% between 40 and 59 years. Forty-seven percent were African American/Black and another 47% were White. Seventy-five percent were males and 25% were females.

Summary of the Findings

Knowledge and Self-efficacy:

• Significant difference between pretest and posttest knowledge scores was seen.
• African Americans/Blacks had the highest improvement in knowledge scores of all race or ethnic groups.
• The greatest improvement in knowledge was seen in participants between the ages of 20 and 29.
• Participants who attended more hours of intervention showed high knowledge and self-efficacy scores.
• Some changes in self-efficacy in regard to risk reduction were seen from pretest to posttest.
• Most reported greater intention to use condoms at posttest.
• African Americans/ Blacks intended to use condoms more often than Whites.

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