HIV/STI Risk Reduction for Incarcerated Women With Interpersonal Violence

Summary

The pilot study aims to conduct a randomized pilot trial in a sample of 40 incarcerated women with lifetime interpersonal violence who are 6-10 weeks away from release to demonstrate the feasibility and acceptability of the proposed recruitment methods and research design, of the intervention training methods, of delivering the enhanced Women's Coop and nutrition control interventions. Per recent guidance from NIMH, the investigators will also examine 95% confidence intervals around differences between the proposed intervention and a dose-matched control condition (Nutrition Program), for the following outcomes through 8 months post prison release: reduced unprotected vaginal or anal sex occasions and fewer cases of vaginal trichomoniasis (primary); reduced interpersonal violence episodes, symptoms of PTSD and depression, and drug using/heavy drinking days (secondary); and increased affect management and social support (including effectiveness in obtaining substance use, mental health treatment and other resources) (tertiary).

Conditions

• Unsafe Sex
• Physical Violence
• Sexual Assault
• Sexual Abuse

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Nutrition Program (NP)

Nutrition Program (NP) participants will receive the same number, format, and schedule of group and individual 60-minute sessions, which will focus on low-cost strategies for improving nutrition.

BEHAVIORAL

Women's Prison CoOp (WPC)

Weekly as 60-minute sessions, 3 group and two individual sessions during incarceration as close to prison discharge as possible. Session 1 focuses on understanding and reviewing HIV risks, including interpersonal violence. Session 2 addresses gender, power, violence, and affect management to counter the emotional effects of violence. Session 3 addresses IV-specific sexual safety skills, including affect management skills. Session 4 helps women begin to develop a personalized safety plan, which may include increasing social support and access to resources. Session 5 helps her finalize and practice the plan, and Session 6 problem-solves any difficulties that have arisen in executing the plan.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

  collaborator NIH

• Brown University

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Jennifer E Johnson, PhD · Brown University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

FEMALE

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2011-09-30

Primary Completion

2014-10-31

Completion

2014-10-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations