No single solution to the problem of unintended adolescent pregnancy exists. Many examples of innovative approaches addressing adolescent pregnancy are available. One component of these approaches is using trained peer educators to deliver the teen pregnancy prevention message. The impact of the education programs on the audience receiving the education is often evaluated, but the impact on peer educators is overlooked. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the peer educators’ attitudes and experiences on being a peer educator. As a component of a statewide annual training, on-going education for adolescents teaching health education curriculum and facilitate peer-mentoring programs for middle and high school age students was evaluated. Four adolescent focus groups were conducted. The adolescents (n=81; male, n=23, and female, n=58) participating in the leadership training are actively involved in their public school as a peer educator for the Students Teaching AIDS to Youth Program (STAY; 27.16%) and/or Postponing Sexual Involvement (PSI; 70.37%). Peer educators were in the following grades: 9.88% - 9th grade; 19.75% -10th grade; 32.10% - 11th grade; 35.80% - 12th grade, and 2.47% - unknown. Each focus group session was tape-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by two graduate research assistants and a university faculty member. The focus groups generated ideas from peer educators to improve the training of future peer educators. Results used for program improvement and implementation in shaping future peer education training sessions at the local community level and at the state level will be presented.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1. Discuss the impact peer educator's attitudes and experiences have on peer education training. 2. Recognize the contribution of peer educators on local and statewide program implementation.
Keywords: Pregnancy, Adolescent Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.