Thinking outside of the cell: A journey of women's empowerment

Issues: In the Tampa Bay area there are 3,500 men who are HIV positive in and out of incarceration. Education among women about the epidemic is critical to stop the spread of the virus. Description: We combined several DEBI's: SISTA, VOICES, and Community Promise to form a gender responsive prevention program for women. This combination allows us to empower women; which transforms lives. Women gain self confidence in abilities and skills to negotiate condom usage, application of barrier methods, coping, and communication. Upon completion of the program, women often re-evaluate their relationship with their partner and leave them. We offer services and support in the aftermath. Pre- and post test comparisons indicate the following significant increases in HIV knowledge and behaviors: 44% of women report knowing how to use a female condom, 63% know how to use a dental dam. Pre and Post test results regarding jail/prison myths indicate increases in knowledge as well: 34% of women know condoms are not given to men, 29% know bleach for cleaning needles are not supplied and 33% know men who are HIV positive are not separated from the general population. Lessons Learned: Providing risk prevention education to women has a positive impact on their knowledge and empowers women to practice risk reduction techniques. Recommendations: Interventions and programming need to be gender specific and have the ability to address basic needs of women served.