Go Grrrls: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Gender-Specific Intervention to Reduce Sexual Risk Factors in Middle School Females

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 286-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Winston LeCroy ◽  
Jenny McCullough Cosgrove ◽  
Katie Cotter ◽  
Marie Fordney

Purpose. Adolescent females continue to face health consequences associated with risky sexual behaviors such as unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a gender-specific intervention targeted to early adolescent females. Method. This study used an intent to treat randomized clinical trial comparing a broad-based female empowerment curriculum with a dose-matched science and technology female leadership curriculum. The sample ( N = 801) was recruited from schools and was implemented in community-based settings mostly in an after school context. Assessments were conducted at baseline, postintervention, 6-, and 18-month follow-up time periods. Results. Both groups in the study obtained good implementation and engagement. The average attendance rate was 81% of program sessions. There were significant differences between the two groups favoring the intervention group on measures of sexually transmitted disease knowledge and condom technical skills. On a measure of condom self-efficacy, there was a significant trend. At the postassessment, there was a significant difference on the intentions to reduce sexual risk behaviors. Both the intervention and control groups made gains on the self-assertive behavior scale. Conclusions. Gender-specific programs for early adolescent females can help reduce indicators that are related to sexual risk reduction. More long-term follow-up is needed to assess impact on sexual behaviors. Efforts directed at a younger population of females should continue to be researched for potential in reducing sexual risks.

2021 ◽  
pp. 109019812110104
Author(s):  
Craig Winston LeCroy ◽  
Skyler Milligan-LeCroy ◽  
Darlene Lopez

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of a gender-specific intervention targeted to adolescent males to reduce sexual risks. Method This study used a randomized clinical trial comparing a broad-based male empowerment curriculum with a no-treatment control group. The sample ( N = 580) was recruited from schools and was implemented in community-based settings mostly in an after-school context. Assessments were conducted at baseline, postintervention, and 3 months follow-up time periods. Results There were significant differences between the two groups favoring the intervention group on several of the outcome indicators, including condom technical skills, attitudes toward women, social skills, peer assertiveness, and attitudes toward consent. Quality of implementation was rated high, and qualitative data suggest themes that reflect key lessons emphasized in the curriculum. Conclusions Gender-specific programs for adolescent males can help reduce indicators that are related to sexual risk reduction. More long-term follow-up is needed to assess impact on sexual behaviors. Efforts directed at male populations should continue to be researched for potential in reducing sexual risks.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Nina Maria Desi ◽  
Zahroh Shaluhiyah ◽  
Sutopo Patria Djati

ABSTRAKTingkat migrasi penduduk yang makin tinggi mengakibatkan populasi berisiko tertular infeksi menular seksual juga meningkat. Dari studi pendahuluan yang dilakukan terhadap pedagang bawang merah di wilayah Kec. Wanasari Kab. Brebes terungkap bahwa pengetahuan mengenai perilaku seksual beresiko kurang dan perilaku seksual beresiko tanpa kondom yang tinggi. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif analitik kuantitatif dengan rancangan cross sectional, metode pengumpulan data dengan penyebaran kuisioner untuk mencari gambaran perilaku seksual berisiko. Sampel penelitian yaitu pedagang bawang merah di Kec. Wanasari Kab. Brebes yaitu sebesar 120 orang. Sebanyak 86,7% responden berperilaku seksual berisiko IMS. 70,8% responden berumur ≥32 tahun dengan pendidikan rendah sebanyak 57,5% dan belum menikah sebanyak 52,5%. Sebagian besar responden berpengetahuan kurang baik dan 61,7% melakukan kegiatan berisiko untuk mengisi waktu luang. Variabel yang berhubungan terhadap perilaku seksual berisiko IMS adalah umur dan kegiatan pengisi waktu luang. Analisis multivaritat menunjukan factor yang paling berpengaruh adalah umur, kegiatan pengisi waktu luang dan religiusitas. Saran bagi Dinas Kesehatan Kabupaten Brebes lebih meningkatkan pengetahuan para pedagang bawang dalam hal perilaku seksual berisiko dan memfasilitasi para pedagang untuk mengisi waktu luang dengan hal yang bermanfaat dan terhindar dari perilaku seksual berisiko.Kata Kunci : Pedagang bawang, Infeksi Menular SeksualABSTRACTSEXUAL BEHAVIOR AT RISK OF ONION TRADERS IN WANASARI, BREBES; Along with the times, the population at high risk of sexually transmitted infections increase rapidly. From a preliminary study in the district Wanasari Brebes revealed that their knowledge about sexual behavior said to be low risk and lots of sexual risk behavior without condom. This research is descriptive quantitative analytical with cross-sectional design study, methods for collecting the data by distributing questionnaires to find a picture on the risky sexual behaviors of respondent. The sample in this research is 120 people. 86,7% respondent has risky sexual behavior. 70,8% of respondent is above 32 years old with low education as much as 57,5% and not marriage yet 52,5%. 61,7% of respondent has risky behavior in their leisure time. Variables that significantly relationship against sexual behavior are ages and leisure activity.based on multivariate analisys, variables that strongly connected to sexual behavior is ages, leisure activity, and religiousity. Advice given to Departemen Kesehatan Brebes for further enhance the knowledge of onion traders in terms of risky sexual behavior, include facilitating spare time with things that are more useful to avoid risky sexual behavior.Keyword : Behavior, sexual risk, Brebes


2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hope E. Yungblut ◽  
Robert J. Schinke ◽  
Kerry R. McGannon ◽  
Mark A. Eys

Researchers have found that female youths are particularly vulnerable to withdrawing from sport and physical activity programs in early adolescence (see Active Healthy Kids Canada, 2010). However, there is an absence of a comprehensive, emic description of how female adolescents experience physical activity. Open-ended, semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with 15 early adolescent females (12–14 years old) and 20 middle and late adolescent females (15–18years old). Co-participants in the mid to late adolescent cohort provided retrospective accounts of their early adolescent experiences along with insight on how their experiences shaped their current participation. The girls’ voices were brought to the forefront through composite vignettes that highlight their physical activity experiences, integrating the words used by the co-participants. Results are discussed in relation to physical activity programming for adolescent females and why a qualitative approach is useful in contributing to gender-specific physical activity programming.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athiwat Butdabut ◽  
Pissamai Homchampa

The number of young people who have had sex at an early age increases in proportion, it concerns unsafe sexual behaviors, teenage pregnancy, HIV aids and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This study examines the health behaviors and factors predicting sexual risk behaviors pertaining to teenage pregnancy among adolescents in Thailand. Adolescents consulted the reproductive health center about problems with the same gender. The factors of adolescent reproductive behaviors were significantly associated with age, education level, and the perception of peer norms. Receiving social support from media information also significantly correlated with those behaviors. The results recommend that to prevent premature pregnancy, adolescents should protect themselves. Parents should take the issue of social media use by their teenagers very seriously.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S181-S182
Author(s):  
Chelsea Ware ◽  
Andrew D Sparks ◽  
Matthew E Levy ◽  
Hilary Wolf ◽  
Marc O Siegel

Abstract Background Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (FTC/TDF) effectively reduces HIV transmission, with efficacy being dependent on adherence. We evaluated the effect of either social media-based support or financial incentives on PrEP adherence among young MSM of color in Washington, DC Methods MSM aged 18–29 were randomized 1:1:1 to standard of care (SOC) PrEP (Control group), SOC PrEP + invitation to a bidirectional Facebook group supervised by two clinicians (Social Media group), or SOC PrEP + $50 gift card at each of two follow-up visits (Financial Incentive group). Participants were asked to return at 3 and 6 months. Adherence was monitored with predefined dried blood spots (DBS) TFVdp levels with < 490, 490–979, 980–1749 and ≥1750 fmol/punch correlating with average of < 2, 2–4, 4–6, and 7 doses per week Results We enrolled 53 MSM. Average age was 22.5 years and 72% of participants were Black. At enrollment, 96% had previously heard of PrEP, 17% had ever taken PrEP but none had taken PrEP in the prior 6 months. 92% of participants reported condomless anal sex in the prior 3 months, 36% with an HIV-positive man or man of unknown HIV status (Table 1). 81% of participants returned for their 3-month visit and 70% for their 6-month visit. Mean self-reported PrEP adherence over the previous 3 months was 78% with no difference in adherence between the three groups at either visit. Based on DBS TFVdp levels, protective PrEP adherence (≥4 doses/week) was measured in 46% of the Financial Incentive group and in 57% of the Social Media group compared to in 67% of the Control group (p=0.38). Only 16% of TFVdp levels corresponded to taking PrEP 7 days a week (Figure 1). There was no change in sexual risk activity over the course of the study. 38 sexually transmitted infections were diagnosed in 26 participants (Figure 2). No participant tested positive for HIV. 3 months after study completion, 9 participants were still taking PrEP Table I. Sexual risk behaviors over the previous 3 months for study participants assessed at baseline visit, as well as 3 month and 6 month follow up visits Figure 1. PrEP Adherence. Figure 2. Number of sexually transmitted infections by specific etiology and site diagnosed Conclusion Our study showed no impact of either offering financial incentives or providing access to a supervised Facebook-based support group on PrEP adherence. Financial compensation based on level of PrEP adherence and using a more age-appropriate social media platform may have a greater impact on adherence Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures


2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 516-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles H. Klein ◽  
Tamara Kuhn ◽  
Midori Altamirano ◽  
Carmela Lomonaco

This article describes the development and evaluation of C-SAFE (Sexual Awareness for Everyone), a computer-delivered sexual health promotion program for Latinas. We first describe the process of adapting an evidence-based, group-level intervention into an individually administered computer-delivered program. We then present the methods and results of a randomized control trial with 321 Latinas in California and Florida to test C-SAFE’s preliminary efficacy in reducing sexual health risk. We found no statistically significant differences between the two conditions at a six-month follow-up in terms of sexual behaviors or attitudes toward sexually transmitted infections and condoms, although C-SAFE women reported fewer days in the past month when their mental health was not good (p = .02). C-SAFE condition women also reported more satisfaction than control condition women in their assessment of information presentation (on a scale of 1 = poor and 5 = excellent; C-SAFE = 4.45 vs. control = 4.25, p = .053) and having learned something new (C-SAFE = 95.1% vs. control = 79.3%, χ2 < 0.001), with utility of content for Latinas approaching significance (C-SAFE = 4.50 vs. control = 4.31, p = .058). In conclusion we discuss the importance of teachable moments, matching of delivery modalities to implementation contexts, and possible directions for evidence-based sexual health promotion programs given the current sexual health landscape.


2007 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa M. Barousse ◽  
Katherine P. Theall ◽  
Barbara Van Der Pol ◽  
J. Dennis Fortenberry ◽  
Donald P. Orr ◽  
...  

1999 ◽  
Vol 45 (4, Part 2 of 2) ◽  
pp. 2A-2A
Author(s):  
Colette L Auerswald ◽  
M Margaret Dolcini ◽  
Jonathan M Ellen

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