Purpose: To perform a one year evaluation of the PDI using information collected by participating organizations from October 2007 through September 2008 initiatives.
Methods: Data was received from PDI organizations in real-time on the night of each monthly. Evaluation consisted of quantifying PDI outcomes, defined as (1) characterization of demographic, behavioral profile, and physical and mental health, (2) success rate of PDI participants opting to enter the program, and (3) cost benefit in terms of time and money.
Results: Within the first year of the PDI, 175 prostitutes were contacted. The average PDI participant was African American (67%), female (91%), and 37 years of age. Half reported completing at least a high school education and 68% were caretakers with a mental health condition and addicted to one or more drugs. Results suggest that the prevalent drugs abuse (>95%) is self-medication to co-exist with multiple mental health conditions and cope with risky behaviors. Many indicated they needed help, as observed by the high proportion choosing to go into treatment (68%). Of these, nine (17%) have left prostitution and are in recovery. Preliminary evaluation of the overall project indicated that inter-agency communication needs to be improved in order to become more efficient on-site.
Conclusions: Findings demonstrate the feasibility of community organizations partnering with law enforcement agencies to bring needed resources directly to the streets where vulnerable populations often experience barriers to care. Moreover, the PDI provides a means to identify health priorities so that interventions and research can be responsive to the needs of prostitutes and the communities surrounding these neighborhoods. Future research will focus on examining outcomes related to drug abuse, mental health, and distributions of HPV types.