Intervention Description
Intervention Package
Information
Evaluation Study and Results
References and Contact
Information
Intervention Description
Target Population
Inner-city African American female clinic patients
Goals of Intervention
- Eliminate or reduce unprotected
sexual intercourse and number of sex
partners
- Prevent new STD infections
The Skill-Based HIV/STD
Risk-Reduction intervention is a
single-session, small group intervention
to reduce risky sexual behaviors and
STDs among African American and Latina
adolescent girls. This intervention is
culturally and developmentally
appropriate, and is delivered to groups
of 2-10 participants. Through the use of
group discussions, videotapes, games and
exercises, the intervention addresses
beliefs relevant to HIV/STD risk
reduction, illustrates correct condom
use, and depicts effective condom use
negotiation. Participants handle
condoms, practice correct use of condoms
with anatomical models, and engage in
role playing to increase condom use
negotiation skills. Participants also
learn about their personal vulnerability
to HIV, and barriers to condom use
including alcohol and drug use. |
Theoretic Basis
- Theory of Reasoned Action
- Theory of Planned Behavior
- Social Cognitive Theory
Intervention Duration
One 250-minute session
Intervention Settings
Adolescent medicine clinic
Deliverer
African American women having at least a
baccalaureate degree and experience working
with inner-city adolescents
Delivery Methods
- Demonstrations
- Exercises
- Games
- Group discussions
- Practice
- Role Play
- Videos
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Intervention Package
Information
The intervention package is not available at this time. Please contact Dr.
John B. Jemmott, University of Pennsylvania, Annenberg School for Communication,
3535 Market Street, Suite 520, Philadelphia, PA 19104. email:
jjemmott@asc.upenn.edu
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Evaluation Study and
Results
The original evaluation was conducted in
Philadelphia, PA.
Key Intervention Effects
- Reduced unprotected sex
- Reduced number of sex partners
- Reduced frequency of sex with drugs
or alcohol
- Reduced new STD infections
Study Sample
The baseline study sample of 682 adolescent clinic patients is characterized
by the following:
- 68% African American, 32% Latina
- 100% Female
- 99% heterosexual, <1%
homosexual/bisexual
- Mean age of 16 years
Recruitment Settings
Adolescent medicine clinic in a children’s hospital serving a
low-income, inner-city community
Eligibility Criteria
African American and Latina female
adolescents were eligible if they were
clinic patients, sexually active, and not
pregnant. Additionally, eligible
participants had to speak English and be
between the ages of 12 and 19.
Assignment Method
Adolescents (N = 682) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups:
Skills-based HIV/STD intervention (n = 235),
HIV/STD information comparison (n = 228), or
Health Promotion comparison (n = 219).
Comparison Group
- Health Promotion comparison received
a single 250-minute session that covered
beliefs and skills relevant to behaviors
associated with risk of heart disease,
cancer, and stroke. It emphasized food
selection and preparation, physical
activity, breast self-examination,
cigarette smoking, and alcohol use.
- HIV/STD Information comparison
received a single 250-minute session
that covered information similar to the
Skill-based HIV/STD intervention, but
participants were not given the
opportunity to practice skills.
Relevant Outcomes Measured and
Follow-up Time
- Sex behaviors during past 3 months
(including unprotected sex, unprotected
sex with drugs or alcohol, and number of
sex partners) were measured at 3-, 6-,
and 12-month follow-ups.
- New STD infections (including
gonorrhea, Chlamydia, or trichomonas)
were measured at 6- and 12-month
follow-ups.
Participant Retention
- Skills-based Intervention:
96% retained at 3 months
94% retained at 6 months
89% retained at 12 months
- HIV/STD Information comparison:
92% retained at 3 months
90% retained at 6 months
86% retained at 12 months
- Health Promotion comparison:
95% retained at 3 months
94% retained at 6 months
91% retained at 12 months
Significant Findings
Skills-based compared to Health Promotion:
- Skills-based participants, compared to Health Promotion
participants, reported significantly fewer days of sex without condom use (p
= .002) and significantly fewer days of unprotected sex while high on drugs
or alcohol (p = .02) at the 12-month follow-up.
- Skills-based participants, compared to Health Promotion
participants, reported significantly fewer sexual partners (p = .04) and
were significantly less likely to report having multiple sex partners (p =
.002) at the 12-month follow-up.
- Skills-based participants were significantly less likely to test
positive for a new STD during the 12-month follow-up period than Health
Promotion participants (p = .05).
Skills-based compared to HIV/STD Information:
- At the 12-month follow-up, Skills-based participants reported
significantly fewer days of sex without condom use than HIV/STD
Information participants (p = .03).
Considerations
- Skill-based intervention effects were not significant for condom
use, number of partners, and new STD infections at the 3- or 6- month
follow-ups.
- Skills-based participants, compared to Health Promotion
participants, reported significantly fewer days of sex while high on drugs
or alcohol at the 3-month (p = .03) and 6-month (p =.005) follow-ups.
- Skills-based participants, compared to HIV/STD Information
participants, reported significantly fewer days of sex while high on drugs
or alcohol at the 3-month follow-up (p = .03).
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References and
Contact Information
- Jemmott, J,B., Jemmott, L.S.,
Braverman, P.K., & Fong, G.T. (2005).
HIV/STD risk reduction interventions for
African American and Latino adolescent
girls at an adolescent medicine clinic:
A randomized control trial. Archives
of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine,
159, 440-449.
Researcher:
Dr. John B. Jemmott III, University of
Pennsylvania, Annenberg School for
Communication, 3535 Market Street, Suite
520, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3309. email:
jjemmott@asc.upenn.edu
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