Open AccessGet Connected: An HIV Prevention Case Management Program for Men and Women Leaving California Prisons
Author(s) -
Janet J. Myers,
Barry Zack,
Kathleen Kramer,
Mick Gardner,
Gonzalo Rucobo,
Stacy Costa-Taylor
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2004.055947
Subject(s) - prison , case management , medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , gerontology , family medicine , psychology , psychiatry , criminology
Individuals leaving prison face challenges to establishing healthy lives in the community, including opportunities to engage in behavior that puts them at risk for HIV transmission. HIV prevention case management (PCM) can facilitate linkages to services, which in turn can help remove barriers to healthy behavior. As part of a federally funded demonstration project, the community-based organization Centerforce provided 5 months of PCM to individuals leaving 3 state prisons in California. Program effects were measured by assessing changes in risk behavior, access to services, reincarnation, and program completion. Although response rates preclude definitive conclusions, HIV risk behavior did decrease. Regardless of race, age, or gender, those receiving comprehensive health services were significantly more likely to complete the program. PCM appears to facilitate healthy behavior for individuals leaving prison.