Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112433

Kathrin S. Tegenfeldt, MHS¹, Arundhati Mishra, MBBS IIHMR², and Smita Anand, MA². (1) Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA), 1400 16th Street N.W. Suite 100, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 667-1142, ktegenfeldt@cedpa.org, (2) The Centre for Development and Population Activities/India, C-1 Hauz Khas, New Delhi, 110016, India

Background: Between February and December 2004, CEDPA/India and eight local partner agencies implemented the Better Life Options Program for over 3,000 adolescent girls (age 10-19) in Indian communities with significant Muslim populations (>35%). The program integrates health and life-skills education and is implemented through two approaches: 1) long-term - entire 140 hour curriculum is integrated into ongoing programs, such as vocational skills training, over three months; and 2) short-term – select sessions totaling 90 hours are conducted through 14-day camps. Objective: To determine relative program effectiveness between long- and short-term approaches on girls' knowledge, attitudes and behavior, with particular emphasis on differences between Muslim and non-Muslim particip/ants using a panel study approach. Methods: The study examines girls' responses (N>3,000) to survey questions at three points in time: pre-training, post-training, and four months after course completion. Repeated measure analyses will be conducted to examine changes in key program objectives by age (two levels), religion (two levels), and program duration (two levels). Post-program Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with girls and their parents provide qualitative information about program outcomes. Results: Preliminary analyses comparing pre- and post-training data indicate significant positive changes in knowledge, attitudes and behavioral intent of participants with regard to education, self-efficacy, and health. Additional multivariate analysis will be conducted once all three data points are available. It is anticipated that the knowledge increases will be retained over time while attitudinal changes may increase. The interaction of individual and cultural variables that potentially influence program outcomes will also be examined.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Identify individual, cultural, and programmatic (format, length, content) factors that affect knowledge and behavioral changes;
• Describe program impacts in a sample of Muslim and non-Muslim adolescent girls.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, India

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation