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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Eric R. Buhi, MPH, PhD, CHES¹, Patricia Goodson, PhD², B.E. (Buzz) Pruitt, EdD², and Catherine Rasberry, MS, CHES². (1) Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., MDC 56, Tampa, FL 33612, 813-974-5290, ebuhi@health.usf.edu, (2) Department of Health & Kinesiology, Texas A&M University, 4243 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4243

Evaluations of abstinence-only programs have led to better understanding of these programs' goals, processes and effects. The current study – one component in the evaluation of Title V-funded programs in Texas – adds to findings presented at the 2005 APHA Meeting. Authors present results from a survey of middle schoolers participating in 3 Texas abstinence-only-until-marriage programs: 448 youth answered a self-administered questionnaire (during 2004-2005), before (T1) and after (T2) program participation. Assessed were factors identified empirically and/or theoretically as associated with abstinent behavior. Sizeable changes occurred in participants' knowledge/beliefs (at p<.01, 17 of 31 items exhibited intended changes from T1 to T2). Employing GLM, unadjusted analyses revealed changed scores on 9 of 12 mediator variables (eg, intention and subjective norms) between T1-T2 in the intended direction (partial-eta2 range =.002-.05, p<.05). Adjusting for age/program dosage, only "emotions regarding abstinence" and "subjective norms" exhibited significant changes in the intended direction. This finding deserves consideration, especially since Wave 1 middle school data also revealed independent changes in subjective norms. Controlled analyses of sexual behaviors found significant increases in "ever made out with someone" and "ever involved in petting with someone". Program dosage was associated with these increases from T1-T2. However, the odds ratios for such increases were small, suggesting a potentially spurious association ("made out"=1.01, p=.025; "petting"=1.01, p<.001). Given the absence of control groups, findings require cautious interpretation; nevertheless, when coupled with those for high-schoolers (appearing in a companion presentation: Goodson 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 changes in middle school youth factors/variables following participation in a sample of abstinence education programs in Texas; and
• Explain changes in the sexual behaviors of middle school students participating in abstinence education programs in Texas.

Keywords: School Health, Outcomes Research

Awards: SHES Outstanding Student Research Abstract Award - Honorable Mention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation