Online Program

326472
Victor and Erika Webnovela: Innovative Latino Youth Edutainment for Prevention


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.

Ricardo Villalba, Maryland Multicultural Youth Center, Hyattsville, MD
Elizabeth Andrade, DrPH, MPH, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC
W. Douglas Evans, PhD, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC
Sean Cleary, PhD, MPH, Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC
Mark Edberg, PhD, MA, Department of Prevention and Community Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
Idalina Cubilla, MPH, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Milken Insitute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
Christopher Schrack, DA, Washington Digital Media, Washington, DC
Background: The Avance Center is an academic-community partnership to reduce health

disparities among Latinos in Langley Park, MD. We are implementing a multi-level,

community-based Positive Youth Development (PYD) intervention called Adelante, which

aims to affect PYD assets that will ultimately reduce substance use, sexual risk, and

interpersonal violence. A key prevention messaging activity, which is part of a larger

Adelante branding strategy, is the creation and dissemination of the web-based drama

series, Victor and Erika (V&E).

Methods: We developed six V&E webnovela episodes working collaboratively with Adelante

youth ages 12-17. Youth were involved in character development, storyline creation, script

writing, acting, filming, and dissemination of the series through their networks. Formative

research was conducted for character development (n=20) and creative episode

development (n=14). The series is available on Youtube and through the Adelante website.

Results: The V&E webnovela is a dramatic portrayal of the lives of immigrant Latino

teenagers that also disseminates risk prevention messages. The storyline represents the

“turning the corner” (to a better life) theme that underlies the Adelante brand. Youth

recommended inclusion of topics in V&E relevant to their experiences: sex, unintended

pregnancy, fidelity, trust, family dynamics, immigration status, violence, school drop-out,

respect, and poverty. V&E has attracted an online youth following. Participants also gain

important leadership, communication and creative writing skills.  

Conclusions: Adelante uses innovative branding and social media strategies to engage at-

risk Latino youth in prevention. The V&E series is an engagement tool, offering an

accessible, innovative, and youth-focused strategy for disseminating prevention messages.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Communication and informatics
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education

Learning Objectives:
Describe the process for working collaboratively with Latino youth for the development of an innovative webnovela for prevention. Discuss the findings from the formative research related to character and episode development. Demonstrate examples of the resultant Victor and Erika webnovela series. Describe next steps for the Victor and Erika series and steps to replicating this prevention strategy.

Keyword(s): Communication, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I'm Writer, Director and producer of the web series Victor and Erika. I facilitated all the meetings and work directly with the youth participants in the creation of Victor and Erika. I have over 10 years experience working with youth and 5 years experience in film-making.
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.