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Victor and Erika Webnovela: Innovative Latino Youth Edutainment for Prevention
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 programsCommunication 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
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.