248997 Implementing Teen Pregnancy Prevention in African American Churches: A Review of Partnerships and Pilot Test

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Melva V. Thompson-Robinson, DrPH , Center for Health Disparities Research, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Charlene Day, PhD , Education for Quality Living, Las Vegas, NV
Tricia Grisham , Center for Health Disparities Research, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Cleveta Hayden , Center for Health Disparities Research, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
David Ragin , Center for Health Disparities Research, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Brittny Wells , Center for Health Disparities Research, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
African American churches have long been recognized as vital sources of information, including health promotion and disease prevention, within the African American community. Nevada is number 2 in the country in terms of teen pregnancy rates. Despite rising rates of HIV/STIs and teen pregnancy within this community, these churches have been slow in embracing the provision of information regarding sexual health and the prevention of HIV/STIs and teen pregnancy. To combat these high rates, the University of Nevada Las Vegas partnered with a community-based organization, consulting firm, and African American church to implement Becoming a Responsible Teen (BART), an evidence-based intervention, with funding from the Office of Adolescent Health. In this first year of funding for the project, partners have worked together to complete a needs and resource assessment as well as pilot test of the intervention within an African American church. This presentation will not only highlight the barriers and challenges that have been face by this unique partnership and project, but will also discuss facilitators and strategies that have been employed to ensure success of the overall program and all involved. In addition, lessons that have been learned from this first year that will serve as a foundation for future years and recommendations for other efforts will be shared.

Learning Areas:
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Program planning
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to: � Discuss facilitators and strategies that can be used to ensure successful implementation of a teen pregnancy prevention program in African American churches

Keywords: Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Faith Community

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am responsible for the entire project as the principal investigator. I have scientific as well as operational oversight for the project.
Any relevant financial relationships? Yes

Name of Organization Clinical/Research Area Type of relationship
University of Nevada Las Vegas Community Health Sciences Employment (includes retainer)

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.