Initiation of a Sustainable Program for Primary Health Prevention in a High Risk High School

Background: Adolescents removed from traditional schools due to behavioral problems experience high risk for health disparities. This population experiences higher unemployment, teen pregnancy, intimate partner violence, substance disorders, and suicide. Public health nursing can lead change by creating collaborative relationships between community agencies, alternative high schools and academia to decrease risk for vulnerable adolescents. Description: An evidence-based intervention was designed to reduce health disparities within a vulnerable student population at an alternative high school in Nevada's capitol. Using a collaborative PHN framework, nursing students led a student interventional day with several community organizations. A first for its kind in Northern Nevada, this event was held across the school's campus; interactive presentations occurred on general nutrition with a focus on “power” drink consumption, sexual health and STIs, teen dating violence, comforting techniques for infant care and smoking cessation. Booths included resources like housing and food assistance, access to healthcare, and support groups. There were also interventions for students who smoked that included assessment of carbon monoxide levels. Analysis of interventional effect on health prevention knowledge included pre and post assessment. Lessons Learned: Surprisingly, the intervention was well received with 89% student participation, and effective in new knowledge acquisition (p< 0.001). Moreover, immediate student response was observed by the high influx of visits to the nearby health department's nursing clinic. Recommendations: Academic-practice partnerships with school systems can be powerful impetus for sustainable relationships with a shared purpose of reducing health disparities and promoting health to vulnerable adolescents.