The purpose of this HIV prevention program was to implement and evaluate HIV/AIDS prevention strategies on Montana’s Flathead reservation. HIV/AIDS prevention strategies were utilized to target the Native American IDU population in the Flathead tribal jail. Program objectives included implementing social marketing strategies to increase knowledge of HIV/AIDS, to increase perceptions of HIV/AIDS risk, and decrease barriers to HIV counseling among jail inmates. Phase I of the prevention program included utilizing focus groups and surveys to gather information within the Native American IDU population for the development of social marketing strategies. Phase II included implementing and evaluating the developed strategies within the Flathead Tribal jail. HIV/AIDS prevention strategies implemented and evaluated included: 1) an "entrance" HIV prevention informational packet, 2) jail activities, 3) Pre-release "exit" HIV/AIDS and IDU information and tribal health resources packet and, 4) implementation of a HIV counseling and testing referral system. Evaluation included a pre and post survey of: 1) HIV/AIDS and IDU knowledge, 2) perception of HIV/AIDS risk and, 3) barriers to HIV counseling and testing. Pre and post evaluation surveys were distributed via the "Entrance" and "Exit" packets tribal jail inmates received. Evaluation also included assessing the number of HIV testing and counseling referrals in the inmate population and process evaluation of the jail activities. Outcome results showed an increase in HIV/AIDS knowledge, perception of risk, and an increase in HIV testing and counseling during incarceration and post incarceration.
Learning Objectives: 1. By the end of the session, participants will be able to identify HIV/AIDS prevention strategies targeting Native American jail inmates. 2. By the end of the session, participants will be able to describe the HIV/AIDS program evaluation process targeting Native American jail inmates
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Native Americans
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.