Evaluation of HIV Prevention Programs in Women

Data Collection Activities for DHHS/OWH

HIV transmissions among women living in the rural south and newly released and incarcerated women have risen significantly over the last decade. During this time, many community based organizations have been created with the goals of reducing the risk of HIV infection and increasing the knowledge of HIV prevention among women.

The Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health (OWH) engaged GEARS to conduct a three-year evaluation of the their HIV Prevention Initiative for Women. The three programs included in the evaluation are: women living in the rural south, incarcerated and women newly released from prison, and model mentorship programs for mentor-protégé organizations that support women living with HIV and AIDS. The evaluation will measure the overarching goals of the OWH HIV program which are to increase HIV prevention knowledge and reduce the risk of contracting HIV among young minority women and identify the gaps in prevention and knowledge.

The evaluation will enhance OWH’s capacity to identify, support, and create effective HIV prevention programs for women. The evaluation will also help OWH identify best practices of mentorship programs for organizations that serve women with HIV and AIDS. In addition to informing the development of current OWH HIV prevention programs, the evaluation results will also aid in the planning and development of future OWH and other public and private sector HIV prevention programs.