5280.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - Board 10

Abstract #14497

Towards designing pregnancy prevention programs to meet the needs of a racially diverse population: The Community Challenge Grant

M. Antonia Biggs, PhD1, Helen Cagampang, PhD1, Claire Brindis, DrPH1, and Kathryn Shack, PhD2. (1) Center for Reproductive Health Policy, University of California, San Francisco, 3333 California Street, Suite 265, San Francisco, CA 94118-1944, 415-476-9813, antonia@itsa.ucsf.edu, (2) Office of Community Challenge Grants, California Department of Health Services, 714 P Street, Room 576, Sacrament, CA 95814

Introduction: The Community Challenge Grant (CCG) project was funded by the California Department of Health Services in 1997 and was aimed at reducing adolescent and unwed pregnancy and fatherlessness by linking community-based organizations, schools, health educators, social service providers, parents, and youth. Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine CCG participants': 1) baseline levels of resiliency and risk, 2) determinants of sexual initiation, and 3) distinct predictive patterns of sexual initiation by ethnic/racial group and/or place of birth. Methodology: A sample of 3,130, 14-19 year old adolescents, from 80 CCG projects, completed a risk/resiliency survey which measured sexual and contraceptive attitudes, behaviors, discussions with parents, and knowledge, as well as adolescents' self worth, personal strengths, stressful experiences, college plans, and drug and alcohol use. Results: Baseline levels of risk/resiliency differed significantly by gender, ethnic/racial group, and place of birth. Significant predictors of sexual initiation included: plans to graduate from college, age, gender, sexual attitudes, talking to parents about sex, self-worth, personal strengths, such as friends, family, and school, and the experience of stressful events. A distinct pattern of sexual initiation determinants was observed for each ethnic/racial group. Plans to graduate from college significantly predicted postponing sexual initiation among Latinos, but not among African American, White, or Asian adolescents. Conclusions: These results suggest that for each ethnic/racial group, sexual initiation is affected by a distinct array of psychosocial factors. Findings can serve as a guideline as pregnancy prevention programs plan to meet the needs of an increasingly racially diverse population.

Learning Objectives: 1.Identify key psychosocial indicators of sexual initiation among African American, Asian, Latino, and White adolescents

Keywords: Adolescents, Sexual Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Community Challenge Grant and select fundees (non of whom will be individually identified)
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Researcher

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA