Program Selection Criteria for PASHA

All of the programs in PASHA were evaluated by a Scientist Expert Panel according to the following criteria:

1. Scientific rigor of evaluation (appropriate design and methods, with comparison group)
2. For pregnancy prevention programs, a follow-up assessment must have occurred at least six months beyond the end of the intervention period. For STD/HIV/AIDS prevention programs, a follow-up assessment must have occurred at least three months beyond the end of the intervention period.
3. The pregnancy prevention programs must have targeted youngsters 10-19 years of age. For STD/HIV/AIDS prevention programs, interventions targeting college students were also considered.
4. Demonstrated positive impact on one or more of the following fertility-related and/or STD/HIV/AIDS-related risk behaviors or outcomes for one or more subgroups of teens:
   • Postponing sexual intercourse
   • Decreasing the frequency of sexual intercourse
   • Decreasing the number of sexual partners
   • Increasing contraceptive use at first intercourse
   • Increasing contraceptive use at most recent intercourse
   • Increasing consistent contraceptive use among the sexually active at every intercourse
   • Preventing pregnancy
   • Increasing use of effective STD/HIV/AIDS-prophylactic method at first intercourse
   • Increasing use of effective STD/HIV/AIDS-prophylactic method at most recent intercourse
   • Increasing consistent use of effective STD/HIV/AIDS-prophylactic method at every intercourse
   • Substitution of lower-risk sexual behaviors for high-risk behaviors
   • Increasing STD/HIV/AIDS prevention-related behaviors (i.e., increased condom purchasing, increased voluntary condom carrying)
   • Preventing STDs/HIV/AIDS.
     
     For programs aimed at children 15 or younger, demonstrated positive impact on fertility-related and/or STD/HIV/AIDS-related refusal/negotiation skills, intentions, values and attitudes was accepted as preliminary evidence of the program's promise.

Additions to the Current Collection

An ongoing process is used to select programs for the PASHA collection. The process begins with calls for nomination and extensive literature searches to identify candidate programs. After PASHA staff prepare briefing documents describing the development and evaluation of each intervention, a Scientist Expert Panel votes on the final selection. Practitioners, program developers and researchers are invited to submit information on promising programs to PASHA staff for consideration during the next round of program selection. Your participation in this process will ensure that PASHA represents the strength and diversity of the fields of teen pregnancy and teen STD/HIV/AIDS prevention.