Objectives: "It Can Happen To You!" is a teen pregnancy prevention drama created for Hawaii’s multi-ethnic, primarily Asian and Pacific Islander population. While the adolescent pregnancy rate in the state of Hawaii is lower than the national average, pregnancy rates among some of Hawaii’s ethnic groups are higher, notably Native Hawaiians and Filipinos. Methods: A community health center held focus groups, recruited teen advisors, and developed a powerful dramatic production designed to change teens’ knowledge, beliefs and behavior regarding relationships, abstinence, pregnancy and STD prevention. Collaboration and support for performances of the play were sought from schools, family planning agencies, and private foundations. A pre-post survey of audience members was developed, piloted and refined, and a preliminary analysis of results was conducted. Results: A total of 10,000 adolescents have viewed "It Can Happen To You!" since 1997. Performances were held in 25 public and private secondary schools located on 4 Hawaiian Islands during the past year. Funding and support were generated from state and national family planning agencies, private foundations, churches, schools, and audience members. Most students and faculty were highly satisfied with the play’s messages and presentation. Pre-post survey findings indicate positive changes in pregnancy and STD-related knowledge, beliefs and intended behavior of those attending the play. Conclusion: This teen pregnancy prevention play, created and targeted for Hawaii’s multi-ethnic API population, has been positively received and supported by youth, schools and funders, and appears to positively influence audience knowledge, beliefs and intentions regarding critical health issues.
Learning Objectives: Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to (1) describe the methods used to create the teen pregnancy prevention play It Can Happen to You! , (2) describe sources of community support for this program, and (3) list at least 3 positive changes documented in audience members’ knowledge, beliefs and intended behavior.
Keywords: Adolescent Health, Asian and Pacific Islander
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Kalihi-Palama Health Center
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employer