|
Background:
Rates of HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis are
higher in corrections
facilities than in the general population, presenting a public health
opportunity because of concentration of at risk or infected
individuals and because most incarcerated persons will return to the
community. The Corrections Technical Assistance and Training Project
targets medical and security personnel in corrections facilities for
training about HIV, other STDs, and hepatitis.
Objective:
To discuss the impact of training in corrections settings about
occupational exposure to blood borne diseases. The goals are to
strengthen staff in place in these facilities relative to the above
content and link them to community resources. Training topics include
standards of practice, practice issues specific to corrections
settings, and inmate release into the community.
Methods:
Training activities encompass learning needs assessments, training and
curriculum content, and evaluation of learning and application of
content.
Results:
Initial needs assessments and training in the corrections settings
provide data on the content needed for future training on corrections
specific issues, best practice, and the transition to community or
corrections discharge process.
Conclusions:
After training, staff are less fearful and more appropriate in issues
of confidentiality, request for sick call, transportation by
correctional officers to the medical unit, and medical coverage in
some short-term facilities like jails and detention centers
Implications for Programs:
Assist in identification of appropriate staff development, access
issues into corrections settings, characteristics of corrections
health care that dictate how care is delivered, and custody issues
that influence care.
Implications for Research:
Developing effective models for corrections settings safe staff and
that meet the public health challenge of reducing infectious disease
rates in the community.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will: identify characteristics of inmate populations that
influence infectious disease rates; discuss the impact of training
designed to reduce HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis rates in corrections
facilities.
Contact Information:
Jacqueline Zalumas /
404-727- 2927 / jzaluma@emory.edu |
Share
this Abstract with a Colleague 