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

Abstract #113440

JoAna Stallworth, PhD, MPH¹, Deborah H. Kim, MPH², Christine J. De Rosa, PhD², Kathleen A. Ethier, PhD¹, and Peter Kerndt, MD, MPH³. (1) Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, Mailstop E-44, Atlanta, GA 30333, 404-639-8977, doy4@cdc.gov, (2) Health Research Association, 1111 N. Las Palmas Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038, (3) Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Sexually Transmitted Disease Program, 2615 So. Grand Avenue Rm 500, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Purpose. Recent studies have supported the importance of the parental role in preventing adolescent sexual risk behavior that may lead to adverse outcomes such as STDs and pregnancy. This study examined the views of parents regarding their relationships with their adolescents, communication and monitoring, health care, and sex education. This information may be useful in guiding intervention designs that target parents of adolescents. Methods. Ninety-seven primarily Spanish-speaking parents of middle school and secondary school adolescents participated in 10 focus groups. Data were entered into NVivo for qualitative content analysis. Results. Specific themes that emerged included the use of schools and clinics as a major source for sex education for adolescents; support of comprehensive sex education; and a desire for improved communication with adolescents regarding sexual health. Parents expressed an interest in programs and resources to inform them about their adolescents' sexual health needs. Parents report barriers to their participation in educational programs, such as availability, language, and time. Suggestions for making parent programs culturally appropriate include communicating in Spanish and incorporating social activities. Discussion. Results indicate resources for parents on adolescent sexual health may include school-sponsored parent workshops and clinics, if barriers can be addressed. Although parents report difficulty in communicating with their adolescents about sexual health, most of these parents support having a comprehensive sex education program in their adolescent's school. Support by parents indicates the importance of evaluating interventions that provide sexual health and STD prevention education for parents regarding their adolescents.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe some potential parental concerns and perspectives regarding adolescent sexual health
• Identify primary resources currently used by parents and their barriers and support for addressing adolescent sexual health
• Develop strategies for involving parents in programs addressing adolescent sexual health.

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