Date of Award

5-15-1997

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Department

Social Work

First Advisor

Maria C. Dinis, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Michael D. Schock, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Jacqueline R. Fendler, LICSW

Abstract

Overall, the fastest growing populations of HIV infected individuals are women, African Americans, and heterosexuals. Women who are infected with HIV via drug use now constitute the largest subgroup of women with AIDS in Minnesota. Drug treatment programs for women have been largely impacted within the past few years with the HIV epidemic. Previous research indicates that skills-building and cognitive-behavioral techniques used within drug treatment programs for women are effective in decreasing their risk for HIV infection. This exploratory study aimed to find out how substance abuse treatment programs for women in the Twin Cities area are addressing the problem of HIV among women who use drugs. Data for this study was gathered during in-depth interviews with direct care providers in four well-known substance abuse treatment programs for women in the Twin Cities Metropolitan area of Minnesota. The study explored the HIV prevention strategies these programs use to reduce the transmission and infection of HIV. The findings indicated that all the programs in the study use information and education lectures about HIV prevention. Two of the programs have implemented the use of skills-building and cognitive-behavioral techniques specific to HIV prevention. In addition, the findings suggest that some important barriers make these HIV prevention strategies difficult to implement. The findings operate as a valuable resource for professionals in the HIV community and substance abuse field in the Twin Cities area. Implications for social work practice and future research are cited

Identifier

SC 11.MSW.1997.Holmberg.CA

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