2015 APHA Annual Meeting & Expo

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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
Only $90 for presenters, $140 for registered attendees and $200 for non-attendees.

Online Program

336344
Effects of an evidence-based positive youth development program on sexual behavior outcomes and intentions among adolescents living in non-metropolitan communities


Monday, November 2, 2015 : 8:50 a.m. - 9:10 a.m.

Eric R. Buhi, PhD, MPH, Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Science, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Ellen Daley, PhD, MPH, Department of Community and Family Health, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Ashley Singleton, 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
Markuu Malmi, BS, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, 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
Elizabeth V. Powers, BA, Department of Community and Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Shireen M. Noble, BASc, 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; Chiles Center, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Wei Wang, PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Background:

We implemented a cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate the Teen Outreach Program (TOP) in 26 high schools in 10 Florida counties. This analysis aims to identify differences in sexual behavior and intention outcomes between TOP youth participants and a matched control group of youth one year after programming concluded.

Methods:

Youth from treatment and control schools completed a paper-and-pencil survey at baseline (September 2012; N=3621) and one year after the program ended (March 2014; N=2660). Outcomes were: ever had sex; ever been pregnant; recent sex; recent sex without a condom; recent sex without an effective method of birth control; sexual intentions; condom use intentions; and birth control use intentions. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using logistic regression in SAS 9.4.

Results:

One outcome showed a statistically significant effect in the treatment group, compared to the control group: ever been pregnant [OR: 0.595, 95% CI (0.381, 0.932), p=0.0232], while controlling for baseline risk, age, gender, and schools matched pairs. No effects were found for the other sexual behavior or intention outcomes previously listed.

Conclusions:

We previously reported a statistically significant effect of TOP on ever having had sex, at immediate post-program. Our current findings at one year post-program report a decreased risk of pregnancy among TOP participants. The original TOP evaluation (Allen et al, 1997) also documented reduced pregnancy risk, but at immediate post-program. Our study findings are important given the program’s school-based settings, longitudinal design and large sample size.

Learning Areas:

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Identify differences in sexual behavior and intention outcomes between Teen Outreach Program youth participants and a matched control group of youth one year after programming. Describe how the current study’s findings relate to results of previous evaluations of the Teen Outreach Program.

Keyword(s): Sexual Risk Behavior, Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was the PI on this project, which began in 2010 and is ending in 2015. It was a federally funded RCT evaluation in Florida (>$2.5 million). I wrote the competitive proposal (with the Florida Department of Health) to the U.S. Office of Adolescent Health and was subsequently funded to do the work.
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.

Back to: 3078.0: Evidenced Based Outcomes for Sexuality Education in Schools