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Current Studies

Prevalence of high-risk HIV Transmission in Illinois Prisons Phase I

Background:

The AIDS rate is estimated to be about 3-8 times higher in state and federal prisons than in the general population.
It is believed that inmates engage in high-risk HIV transmission behaviors while incarcerated.
Because HIV preventive mechanisms are considered contraband in prison, it is likely that inmates who engage in high risk behaviors may get infected while in prison. Upon their release from prison, the infected inmates would then transmit HIV to their non-incarcerated sexual/injecting drug use partners.
High-risk HIV transmission behaviors in prison include: Tattooing/ body piercing, unprotected sex with multiple partners; injection drug use and sharing of injecting equipment.

Study design:

Cross-sectional study of high-risk HIV transmission behaviors among approximately 1000 inmates in Illinois prison facilities and 200 ex-offenders.

Eligibility:

18 years of age or older, incarcerated for at least six months/ out for less than 6 months, speak and write English.

Sample selection:

A. Male and female prison inmates will be randomly selected.

B. A convenience sample of male and female ex-offenders will be recruited from transitional homes and other CBO’s serving ex-offenders.

Data collection:

10 minute self-administered, anonymous survey of high risk HIV transmission behaviors before/after and while incarcerated.

Outcomes:

The primary outcome will be high HIV risk behavior based on 2 assumptions:

Pre-prison characteristics, experiences and behaviors of inmates blend with the in-prison characteristics, experiences and behaviors of inmates to create a situation that embodies high-risk HIV transmission behaviors in prison.
Given the blended pre-prison/in-prison behaviors coupled with unfavorable community conditions when the inmates are released, results in risky post-prison behaviors that may explain the high HIV infection rates in the communities that they are released into.

Expected impact of the study:

Add to the current literature on HIV risk behaviors in prisons – there is a paucity of data in this area.
May impact policies and programs addressing HIV/AIDS in correctional facilities.
May inform policy and program development in correctional facilities in Illinois.

Calendar Year 2006 - HIV/AIDS research mini grant award of $5,000 currently under IRB review and anticipated to launch by October 2006.

HIV risk behaviors in African American female community college students - Dr. Esther Jenkins, Dr.Carl Bell and Dr. Tanisha Guy. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews will be conducted with 18 male and 36 female community college students in high risk areas in the city of Chicago.

HIV/AIDS Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Behavior Study (KABB)

The KABB Study was launched fall 2006.

1 in 500 college students is infected with HIV (CDC)
College students risky sexual behaviors are of great concern. 90% of CSU students are African American, a majority fall in the 25-40 year age group.
As of 2005, African Americans accounted for 48% of new AIDS rates in the U.S. (CDC)
Previous studies were conducted at historically Black or primarily white colleges and universities.
Few studies have been conducted at commuter universities like CSU

Study has two aims:

Asses the knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors towards HIV/AIDS and sources of HIV/AIDS information among students at CSU.
Assess whether the threat of HIV infection causes college students to change their risky behaviors.

Study design: cross-sectional survey and focus group discussions of KABB among CSU students.

Sample selection: classes will be randomly selected. A sample of 300 students will be recruited from the randomly selected classes. Focus group discussions with a convenience sample os 50 female and 50 male students will be conducted separately conducted to assess KABB. CSU students that are 18 years and older will be eligible to participate in the study.

Expected impact of the study: review existing prevention strategies and provide empirical evidence for development of more effective prevention strategies for college students in urban areas.

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