title: The effectiveness of a peer-led HIV/AIDS and STI health education intervention for prison inmates in South Africa.
abstract: This article reports on the effectiveness of the first systematically developed health education intervention for the reduction of risky sexual behavior among soon-to-be-released prisoners in South Africa. Data from three out of four prisons are eligible for data analysis including 263 inmates. Using a nested experimental design, short-term evaluation while inmates were still in prison demonstrate that experimental groups showed higher knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and had a more positive intention to reduce risky behavior than the control group in two out of three prisons. Long-term assessment 3 to 6 months after release from prison indicates that experimental groups were more positive about sexual communication, self-efficacy, and intention. Groups educated by an HIV-negative educator perform marginally better than those in groups with an HIV-positive peer educator. It is argued that peer-led health education programs may be effective in reducing risky behavior amongst soon-to-be-released inmates.
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion R & D Group, Medical Research Council, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa. sibusiso.sifunda@mrc.ac.za
authors.forename: Sibusiso
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sifunda
authors.forename: Priscilla S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.forename: Ronald
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Braithwaite
authors.forename: Torrence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.forename: Sibusisiwe
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhengu
authors.forename: Rob A C
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Ruiter
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: van den Borne
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010379:Peer Group; D011329:Prisoners; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D015231:Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Bacterial / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013019:South Africa; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult