Implementation of Native STAND to Reduce Risky Behaviors in American Indian Teens

The Native STAND curriculum – Students Together Against Negative Decisions – incorporates American Indian tradition and culture to address STDs, HIV, healthy relationships, and teen pregnancy, while teaching healthy decision-making skills.  As implemented in a Northwest tribal community, the HEY Project (Healthy & Empowered Youth) delivered the Native STAND classroom activities along with innovative training in media literacy and hands-on training in video production. By incorporating filmmaking into the curriculum, middle and high school youth were empowered to produce and disseminate films that promote healthier lifestyles among other tribal youth. To determine the extent to which goals were met, process, outcome and impact, and summative evaluation activities were conducted.  A total of 117 students participated in the 3-year program, and pre- post- evaluations were completed for 90 boys and girls.  Participants demonstrated increased knowledge in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, healthy relationships, media literacy, and the prevention of drugs and alcohol, bullying, and suicide, and reported increases in protective behaviors in these areas. They gained technical and life-skills, increased their confidence and self-esteem, improved health supporting behaviors, and became more involved in their culture and community through filmmaking (http://www.ps3youtube.com/user/HEYProject1). Our findings of positive shifts in knowledge and reported behavior suggest that Native STAND can be successfully implemented and is ready for dissemination to multiple tribal communities.  Funded by the DHHS Office of Minority Health Youth Empowerment Program (Grant No. 1MP090037) and the CDC Prevention Research Centers (Grant No. U48DP001937).