142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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301066
Preliminary Sexual Behavior and Academic Outcomes among Youth Participating in a Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluation of a Positive Youth Development Program

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014 : 3:30 PM - 3:50 PM

Eric R. Buhi, MPH, PhD , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Ashley Singleton, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Charlotte Noble, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Sarah Maness, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Helen Mahony, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Elisabeth A. Franzen, BS , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Shireen Noble, BASc , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Elizabeth Powers, BA , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Stephanie L. Marhefka, PhD , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Ellen Daley, PhD , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Rita DeBate, PhD, MPH, FAED, FAAHB , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Kay Perrin, PhD, MPH , Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Wei Wang, PhD , Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Our purpose is to identify preliminary sexual behavior and academic outcome differences between youth participating in an evidence-based positive youth development program (PYD), the Teen Outreach Program (TOP), and a matched control group, from baseline (time 1) to post-intervention (time 2).

This project involved a randomized controlled trial in 28 high schools in the 2012-2013 school year. Treatment and control youth completed a survey at time 1 (n=1812 [response rate=82%] and 2177 [84%], respectively) and 9-months later at time 2 (n=1498 [68%] and 1909 [74%]). Participants were asked about sexual behavior, sexual intentions, and four academic outcomes: course failure, failing grades, school suspension, and cutting class. Using S-PLUS version 8.1, multilevel modeling was conducted and odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Covariates of age, gender, and race/ethnicity were included in the model.

After controlling for baseline risk, analyses showed treatment youth had lower odds of reporting ever having had sex (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.48-0.86, p=0.0025) and lower odds of reporting intention to have sex, compared to control youth (OR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.44-0.98, p=0.02). These results remained statistically significant after controlling for covariates. Analyses showed no difference between treatment and control youth in any of the academic outcomes.

Our data support a treatment effect for sexual behavior and intentions to have sexual intercourse. Limitations include potential self-report bias and survey attrition. Strengths include large sample size and ethnic/racial diversity of participants. These preliminary findings lend support for PYD programs, such as the TOP.

Learning Areas:

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Compare preliminary sexual behavior outcomes among youth participating in a positive youth development program, with youth enrolled in matched control schools; and Evaluate preliminary academic outcomes among youth participating in a positive youth development program, with youth enrolled in matched control schools.

Keyword(s): Adolescents, Treatment Outcomes

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I the Principal Investigator on this $2.5 million U.S. Office of Adolescent Health-funded RCT evaluation in 28 Florida high schools.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.

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