Improving Knowledge, Attitudes, and Testing for Communicable Diseases Among New York State Inmates

To improve knowledge of and encourage testing for HIV, hepatitis, and sexually transmitted diseases among inmates, Albany Medical College and the New York State Department of Corrections developed a peer-led videotape and comic-book-style pamphlet. Inmates assigned to an intervention group viewed the videotape and pamphlet and completed pre- and posttest questionnaires; a control group did not. Both groups completed a risk assessment and testing request form. Analysis sought to detect testing request differences between groups and changes in disease knowledge among intervention group participants. Although more intervention participants requested testing, the differences were not statistically significant. After viewing the videotape, significantly more inmates agreed that communicable diseases are treatable (78.3%), that not all have symptoms (70.8%), and that a positive diagnosis is not a death sentence (82.5%). Videotapes and pamphlets can improve inmate knowledge, information retention, attitudes, and requests for communicable disease testing.