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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Patricia Goodson, PhD, Eric R. Buhi, MPH, CHES, B.E. (Buzz) Pruitt, EdD, and Catherine Rasberry, MS, CHES. Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, 4243 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4243, 979-845-1756, pgoodson@hlkn.tamu.edu

Evaluations of abstinence-only programs have led to better understanding of these programs' goals, processes and effectiveness. The current study – one component in the evaluation of Title V-funded programs in Texas – adds to findings previously presented at the 133rd APHA Annual Meeting (2005). Authors present results from a survey of high school youth participating in 4 Texas abstinence-only-until-marriage programs: 1,119 high-schoolers answered a self-administered questionnaire (during 2004-2005), before (T1) and after (T2) program participation. The questionnaire assessed factors identified empirically and/or theoretically as associated with abstinent behavior. Sizeable changes occurred in participants' knowledge and beliefs (at p<.01, 17 of 31 items exhibited intended changes from T1 to T2). Employing general linear modeling, unadjusted analyses revealed mean scores on 8 of 12 mediator variables (such as intention and subjective norms) changed between T1-T2 in the intended direction (partial eta2 range =.004 to .20, p<.05). Adjusting for age and program dosage, only “intention to have sex before marriage” exhibited a significant change in the un-intended direction. The effect size (partial eta2 =.009, p<.005), however, indicates spuriousness due to the sample's large N. Controlled analyses of various types of sexual behaviors found significant increases in most behaviors, except for “ever had sexual intercourse”. Program dosage (amount of program exposure) was not associated with increases in any behavior. Given the absence of control groups, findings require cautious interpretation; nevertheless, when coupled with those for middle-schoolers (appearing in a companion presentation by Buhi et al.), these results raise important questions for future programming and evaluations.

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

• Describe the purpose of, and procedures employed in, the Youth Survey component of the evaluation of Title V-funded abstinence education programs in Texas;
• Identify high school youth factors/variables that may have been impacted through participation in a sample of abstinence education programs in Texas; and
• Identify whether Title V-funded abstinence education programs in Texas are impacting the sexual behaviors of high school students examined in this study.

Keywords: School Health, Outcomes Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation