Theme: Models of Care Year: 2024
Background: People incarcerated in British Columbia (BC) Canada are disproportionately more likely to experience sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections (STBBIs) and substance-related harms including overdose compared to the non-incarcerated population. Peer education programs have been identified as a promising approach to reducing stigma and increasing awareness of public health issues, including prevention and treatment of STBBIs.
Description of model of care/intervention/program: Inspired by the New Mexico Peer Education Program (PEP), UBC’s Canadian Collaboration for Prison Health and Education (CCPHE) has developed and implemented a peer health rep (PHR) program in one federal correctional centre with a planned expansion to two federal correctional centres in BC. The peer educators, known as Peer Health Reps, provide support, resources, and education to their peers around the prevention and treatment of STBBIs, as well as resources for improving mental health and reducing substance-related harms. To date, 35 hours of in-person training to a team of 10 PHRs has been completed, and we have held over 10 PHR support meetings to debrief, problem solve, provide additional training, and prepare for the PHR-led health workshops.
Effectiveness: Evaluation activities are underway to determine the impact of the PHR program. Early findings suggest the program greatly increases knowledge of risk factors and prevention of HIV/HCV and STBBIs, as well as awareness of substance use prevention and treatment, and overdose response. In this presentation we will report on the results of focus groups and surveys with PHRs.
Conclusion and next steps: Peer education programs that build capacity among incarcerated people are important interventions to improving awareness and education of STBBIs, substance-related harms and mental health/wellness.