Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of Power Moves: A situational approach for HIV prevention for youth in high risk situations Significance: The Colorado Department of Education, with assistance from the Centers Disease Control and Prevention, recently conducted an evaluation of an HIV prevention education program at the Lookout Mountain Correctional Facility. Evaluating and identifying effective HIV education with incarcerated youth is critically important to this population that is at high risk for contracting HIV and other STD infections. Methods:Young men aged 13-19 (n=336) randomly received Power Moves or a violence prevention program. All participants completed baseline and post-test self-report questionnaires including demographic information, HIV attitudes and knowledge, sexual behavior, and drug use. The participants completed follow-up surveys at 6 and 12 months. Variables related to age, race, length of incarceration and level of confinement during incarceration were considered in the analysis. Results: Participants are at high risk of contracting STDs, including HIV. Reported rates included ever having sex (vaginal 99%; anal 17%), inconsistent condom use at last intercourse (vaginal 44%; anal 54%), and alcohol and drug use at last intercourse (vaginal 40-51%; anal 50%). The presentation will describe characteristics of the participants, the efficacy of the intervention, and lessons learned from the evaluation. Conclusions: incarcerated youth are a population in need of effective HIV/STD prevention strategies. Educational curricula in these settings need to contain content that is tailored to compensate for schedule demands of the facility and for low literacy levels of the youth receiving the instruction.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Identify HIV prevention issues related to incarcerated youth 2. Identify the major findings of the this evaluation study 3. Identify the research, and programmatic, needs in preventing HIV/STD among high-risk youth
Keywords: Adolescents, HIV Interventions
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.