HIV/AIDS Among Probationers: An Assessment of Risk and Results from a Brief Intervention

Abstract

A number of studies have examined HIV risk behaviors in prisoner populations, but relatively few have examined such behaviors in probationer populations. Since probationers have more opportunities to engage in risk behaviors than do prisoners, the potential importance of HIV interventions with probationers becomes readily apparent. This article examines a sample representative of the supervised probationer population in Delaware. The sample respondents received a baseline interview, then were randomly selected to receive either an enhanced version of NIDA standard HIV Intervention or a Focused Intervention based on a cognitive thought-mapping model. Intervention boosters were offered at two follow-up intervals in the following three months, and respondents were reinterviewed at six months. The data at baseline suggest that probationers in Delaware have levels of injection drug use, other serious drug use, and rates of risky sexual behaviors that approach those observed in prison populations. The interventions' effectiveness in changing attitudes and behaviors at the six-month interview was then examined. The data support the conclusion that brief interventions can significantly impact both drug use and sexual risk behaviors among probationers. However, there do not appear to be significant improvements for those receiving the more intensive Focused Intervention, as compared to those who receive the enhanced Standard Intervention. Further work will consider what components in programs and characteristics in clients should be considered in selecting the most appropriate interventions for probationers.

A conceptual framework for drug treatment process and outcomes

“…Further, the use of mapping has been shown to be effective in a variety of settings and with a variety of drug treatment outcome measures (Collier, Czuchry, Dansereau, & Pitre, 2001;Dansereau et al, 1995;Dansereau, Joe, Dees, & Simpson, 1996;Newbern, Dansereau, & Dees, 1997;Pitre, Dansereau, & Joe, 1996;Pitre, Dansereau, Newbern, & Simpson, 1998), including treatment for gambling (Melville, Davis, Matzenbacher, & Clayborne, 2004) and HIV/AIDS risk reduction in prison populations (S. S. Martin, O'Connell, Inciardi, Surratt, & Beard, 2003). Workshop, manual, and Web-based methods for transferring mapping have been developed and disseminated (see Dansereau & Dees, 2002).…”

Differences in Prevalence of Prescription Opiate Misuse Among Rural and Urban Probationers

“…The intervention and recruitment strategies for each study site are described in more detail elsewhere (6,7). Briefly, rural participants were recruited between March 2001 and December 2004 from the probation offices in 30 counties in Appalachian Kentucky, and between February 2000 and April 2003 from the largest urban county in Delaware.…”

Risky Business: Focus-Group Analysis of Sexual Behaviors, Drug use and Victimization among Incarcerated Women in St. Louis

“…2 Probationers are also at high risk for HIV infection and have infection rates as high as, or higher than, inmates. 3,4 Many women are at risk for HIV and AIDS including drug users, sex workers trading sex for money or drugs, homeless women, and the mentally ill. Many of them will experience the correctional system at some point in their lives.…”