Communicable Diseases: Are You at Risk?
A Videotape Initiative to Increase Inmate Testing of HIV, Hepatitis B & C and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
This videotape initiative aims to assist correctional providers by:
- Increasing early intervention of HIV, hepatitis B & C and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among inmates, thereby preventing disease progression.
- Encouraging cost savings by reducing the expenses associated with treating preventable complications of various communicable diseases.
This videotape can assist inmates in:
- Getting tested for HIV, hepatitis B & C and STDs by outlining risk factors.
- Learning ways to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases.
- Coping with a positive diagnosis by emphasizing that all communicable diseases are treatable, while understanding that not everyone is a candidate for certain medications.
- Empowering themselves to take charge of their health.
Videotape Description: This 30-minute videotape is designed to increase communicable disease testing among inmates and educate them about ways to prevent the transmission of HIV, hepatitis B & C, and STDs. The male and female participants in this video are all former inmates. They discuss their personal experiences contracting these illnesses and empower the viewer to get tested. In addition to testimonials, this video is comprised of a question and answer segment with an infectious disease specialist.
A 6-page animated pamphlet supplements this videotape to encourage knowledge retention including a perforated document for inmates to communicate to providers the diseases for which they would like to be tested. Click here to preview the animated pamphlet.
Key messages in this video which encourage inmates to get tested:
- It is better to know than not know; all of these diseases are treatable!
- Testing can relieve the anxiety and tension of not knowing.
- If you test positive, medical care may help you live longer.
- If you test positive, you can protect your partner, friends and family from getting ill.
- If you test negative, you can learn how to protect yourself and those you care about in the future.
This videotape initiative is a collaborative effort among the Division of HIV Medicine at Albany Medical College, the New York State Department of Correctional Services and the following pharmaceutical companies: Abbott Laboratories Inc.; Bristol-Myers Squibb Virology; GlaxoSmithKline; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Merck & Co., Inc.; Ortho Biotech; Pfizer Inc.-Agouron Division and Roche Laboratories Inc.
Click here to order this videotape
