Reducing Viral Hepatitis Transmission in Persons Experiencing Incarceration Through Education and Peer-Based Interventions Mandy Altman, MPA, CCHPMarch 22, 2018

Disclosures- Nothing to disclose

Worst-case scenario?

Purpose- Learn about viral hepatitis education and peer-based

programs in Washington state prisons and jails.

- Understand program history, implementation, and content.

- Discuss opportunities to incorporate education in audience facilities.

Who’s in class?- Correctional healthcare providers?

- Correctional healthcare administrators?

- Community-based health educators?

- Researchers?

- Who else?

Who I am- How I became interested in incarcerated populations

- HIV/STD Prevention Specialist- Illinois DOC

- Correctional Health Program Manager

- WA DOC

HEP- Founded in 1993

- Programs today: Outreach, MCM, Clinic, SAP, DOC

- Future

NHCN- Founded in 2010

- Professional networking, resource sharing

Our work in WA DOC

Hep 101- Began in 2001

- Current: 51 in-person, 12 online

- Class size: 0-100

- Class time: 1-3 hours

Hep 101- Curriculum:

- Overview of liver

- What is viral hepatitis

- Focus on HCV routes of transmission

- Safer injection (includes overdose prevention)

- Safer tattooing

- Explanation of testing (types, results)

- DOC-specific resources

- Basic info for safer/healthier life

Hep 101

Project SHIELD- Evidence-Based Curriculum

- Began in 2012

- Goal: Reduce ID transmission

- Impact: Empowerment

Project SHIELD- Class size maximum of 12

- On-site coordinator

- Six session, spread over 2-3 weeks

- Participants selected by interview if demand is high

- Working on program expansion/peer facilitators

- Student working on evaluation assessment

Project SHIELD- Curriculum:

- HIV/Viral Hep 101

- PEER

- Safer Sex Demo

- Safer Injection Demo

- Safer Tattooing

Which body fluid has the highest risk for spreading HCV?

0%

23%

45%

68%

90%

Correct Partially Correct Incorrect

PretestPosttest

Project SHIELD

What are the three main body fluids that can transmit HBV

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Correct Partially Correct Incorrect

PretestPosttest

Project SHIELD

How likely are you to use a new needle the next time you inject

drugs?

75%

81%

88%

94%

100%

Pretest Posttest

95%

87%

Project SHIELD

How likely are you to clean your needle before injecting the next

time you inject?

75%

81%

88%

94%

100%

Pretest Posttest

97%

82%

Project SHIELD

Our work in county jail- Class size 0-25

- Men’s classes 1 x month

- Women’s classes 1 x month

Other Peer Education- Programs in Massachusetts, Oregon, New Mexico,

Illinois, Washington

- Former program in California

- Current program models?

Questions?- What have you learned?

- What opportunities are there for programs in your agency?

Thank you!

Mandy Altman, MPA, CCHP Correctional Health Program Manager, Hepatitis Education ProjectDirector, National Hepatitis Corrections Network

1621 South Jackson Street, Suite 201Seattle, WA 98144

mandy@hepeducation.org

www.hepeducation.org | www.hcvinprison.org