Implementing High-Intensity, Trauma-Informed Sexual Risk Reduction in Women Involved in the Criminal Legal System

Publication Date

12-1-2023

Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal of Correctional Health Care

Volume

29

Issue

6

DOI

10.1089/jchc.22.09.0072

First Page

387

Last Page

394

Abstract

Although research supports using brief or extended behavioral interventions to increase prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), there is a shortage of current information about the specific effects on women in a short-stay carceral environment. This evidence-based practice implementation project aimed to employ the Safer Sex Efficacy (SSE) Workshop in a jail setting. A repeated measures design was used to compare STI knowledge acquisition and reports of condom use self-efficacy in a group of incarcerated women before, immediately after, and 3 weeks after participation in a high-intensity behavioral counseling intervention. Twenty-one females between the ages of 20 and 45 years participated in the program. STI knowledge acquisition and reports of condom use self-efficacy were measured using the Sexually Transmitted Disease Knowledge Questionnaire and the Condom Use Self-Efficacy Scale. Findings support the feasibility of implementing evidence-based sexual health education programming incorporating information about sexual risk behaviors, STI knowledge, and behavioral skills practice in a short-stay correctional setting and further investigation with a larger sample.

Keywords

correctional health care, criminal legal system involved, STI prevention, women’s health

Department

Nursing

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS