Motivational Interviewing-based HIV Risk Reduction

Motivational Interviewing-based HIV Risk Reduction is an intervention designed to increase motivation for HIV preventive behaviors among women who are not diagnosed with HIV infection and who have been recently involved in the criminal justice system. The intervention includes 12 one-on-one sessions conducted by a person trained in Motivation Enhancement over three months. Four components of the intervention address HIV risk behavior: first the participant identifies recent episodes of substance use and sexual activity; second, she discusses her self-identified risks for acquiring HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs); third, she completes an assessment of readiness to address her risk and tackle issues; and fourth, the interventionist addresses ambivalence about behavior change, the participants plans of action and finally maintenance of behavior change. Participants are invited to discuss concerns they have regarding aspects of their life that are unstable and might interfere with positive behavior change such as, housing, employment and legal issues. All women receive counseling and testing for HIV, STIs, and hepatitis C, as are furnished a handbook of services locally available in the community.

To reduce sexual and drug use behaviors among recently incarcerated, HIV-negative women at risk for HIV.