title: The evaluation of the JEWEL project: an innovative economic enhancement and HIV prevention intervention study targeting drug using women involved in prostitution.
abstract: The JEWEL (Jewellery Education for Women Empowering Their Lives) pilot study examined the efficacy of an economic empowerment and HIV prevention intervention targeting illicit drug-using women (n=50) who were involved in prostitution in Baltimore, Maryland. The intervention was comprised of six 2-hour sessions that taught HIV prevention risk reduction and the making, marketing and selling of jewellery. Bivariate comparisons examined behaviour change pre- and 3-months post-intervention. The intervention's effect on the change in the number of sex trade partners from baseline to follow-up was explored with multiple linear regression. Participants were 62.0% African American, 5.0% were currently employed, and the median age was 39 years old (Inter Quartile Range [IQR]: 34-45). Women attended an average of six (IQR: 4.5-6.0) sessions. The women sold over $7,000 worth of jewellery in eleven sales. In comparing self-reported risk behaviours pre and 3-month post intervention participation, we found significant reductions in: receiving drugs or money for sex (100% versus 71.0%, p<0.0005); the median number of sex trade partners per month (9 versus 3, p=0.02); daily drug use (76.0% vs. 55.0%, p=0.003); the amount of money spent on drugs daily (US$52.57 versus US$46.71, p = 0.01); and daily crack use (27.3% versus 13.1.0%, p = 0.014). In the presence of other variables in a multivariate linear model, income from the jewelry sale was associated with a reduction in the number of sex trade partners at follow-up. The pilot indicated effectiveness of a novel, HIV prevention, economic enhancement intervention upon HIV sexual risk behaviours and drug utilization patterns.
authors.affiliation: Department of epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. ssherman@jhsph.edu
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: German
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bailey-Kloche
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015142:Baltimore; D003132:Commerce; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012044:Regression Analysis; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011477:Sex Work; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D047568:Unsafe Sex