Lang AL, Gendler-Epstein J; National HIV Prevention Conference (2003 : Atlanta, Ga.).
Abstr Book 2003 Natl HIV Prev Conf July 27 30 2003 Hyatt Regency Atlanta Hotel Atlanta Ga Natl HIV Prev Conf 2003 Atlanta Ga. 2003; abstract no. TP-031.
Each One Teach One, New Castle, DE
ISSUE: Youth in juvenile detention centers have been at increased risk of acquiring HIV and STDs because of poverty, addiction, abandonment and abuse, just to name a few of the reasons they're at risk. Captivity is the perfect time to educate and motivate these teens to become responsible and disease free. But, we must conduct prevention programs that are fun! Engaging today's youth requires "Edutainment" (i.e. education that's entertaining) SETTING: 5 juvenile detention centers in Wilmington, DE. Each facility provided the perfect settng to use "peer power" in a positive way.PROJECT: The goal is to empower and motivate teens to increase their use of condoms and decrease sexual partners, or to postpone sexual activity. Using Teen Peer Educators, Each One Teach One (EOTO) successfully conducted 2 CDC endorsed HIV/STD prevention programs, with 527 youth, in 5 different detention centers, between Feb. and Dec. 2002. Both the Act SMART and the Be Proud Be Responsible curriculums consist of interactive, skills-building activities. EOTO also administered various assessment surveys to measure knowledge, attitude and behavior and program effectiveness. In addition to using peer-mediated group-level interventions, our prevention programing included the use of several other interventions, such as Street Outreach, Counseling & Testing (CTR), social marketing and Health Communication/Public Information (HC/PI). These interventions help to reinforce prevention messages and skills taught during GLI programs, because 60% of our participants live and socialize in areas of high crime, poverty and HIV/STD rates. We often get to see them again during neighborhood outreach and commuity-wide events. RESULTS: Most youth are glad to see us after the 1st session. Our Teen Educators seem to appeal and communicate well with these very diverse groups of youth. Of the 261 teens that completed our "Participant Evaluation," 207 youth (81%) gave us a rating of "Excellent" or "Good." 176 kids also reported a change in their opinion about having sex as a result of taking our program. Using pre/post tests we were able to measure participant knowledge and attitude. Most youth increased their knowledge by 70% on questions related to the identification of the infectious body fluids, options for safer sex, ways to interact with HIV+ people and where to go for HIV testing. Every teen attending the last program session was able to demonstrate the proper use of condoms. We were also able to document each participants' sexual and drug use behaviors through a self-reporting risk behavior survey.LESSONS LEARNED: "Once is not enough, so keep it simple, relative, repetitive and FUN!" (1) Find creative ways to repeatedly reinforce prevention messages and skills during the program and when they are released back into society; (2) Determine the most important information they need to know and the simpliest way to present and explain it; (3) Tweak published curriculums, so that role-play scenarios reflect real-life situations participants may have experienced or witnessed; (4) Link participants to community-based and health department services, especially condoms and CTR; (5) Keep assessment tools simple and brief, yet precise; (6) Show that you CARE!
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Adolescent
- Adolescent Health Services
- Behavior
- Communication
- Condoms
- Curriculum
- Demography
- Evaluation Studies
- HIV Infections
- HIV Seropositivity
- Humans
- Peer Group
- Program Evaluation
- Risk-Taking
- Safe Sex
- Sexual Behavior
- Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- education
- prevention & control
Other ID:
UI: 102262138
From Meeting Abstracts