School/Community Program for Sexual Risk Reducation among Teens

Murray Vincent, Ed.D.
FOCUS

SUMMARY

This program is a community-wide public outreach campaign. It incorporates multiple forms of outreach and public education to engage the entire community in preventing pregnancy among unmarried adolescents. Public schools, universities, church groups and civic organizations are all targeted as sites for training and workshops concerning human physiology, sexual development, self-concept and sexual awareness, values clarification and communication skills. Abstinence is promoted as the preferred sexual health decision in all activities; contraceptive information is provided for teens who do choose to become sexually active. The intervention was developed and field tested in a rural, low-income and predominantly African-American community. A significant drop in the pregnancy rate was recorded during the full implementation period of the program.

SUITABLE FOR USE IN

This program is suitable for use in any community in collaboration with a variety of organizations, including schools.

ORIGINAL INTERVENTION SAMPLE

Age, Gender
Rather than targeting a particular group, the program involved an entire community with a population of 18,796 in 1982.

Race/Ethnicity
The community composition was 58% African-American and 42% White.

PROGRAM LENGTH

The full program of public service announcements, adult education workshops and graduate courses for teachers may require a full year to implement.

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS/TRAINING

The project requires a full-time Project Director and an On-Site Coordinator. Both should have a solid knowledge of teen pregnancy and public health strategies.
   Primary Pregnancy Prevention
   Secondary Pregnancy Prevention
   STD/HIV/AIDS Prevention

ORIGINAL SITE
   School-Based
   Community-Based
   Clinic-Based

APPROACH
   Abstinence
   Behavioral Skills Development
   Community Outreach
   Contraceptive Access
   Contraceptive Education
   Life Option Enhancement
   Self-Efficacy/Self-Esteem
   Sexuality/STD/HIV/AIDS Education

COMPONENTS
   Adult Involvement
   Case Management
   Group Discussion
   Lectures
   Peer Counseling/Instruction
   Public Service Announcements
   Role Play
   Video
   Other
Peer education training program
   

PASHA PROGRAM PACKAGE

The PASHA Program Package for this program includes:
  • PASHA User's Guide
  • Resource Guide for Sex Educators
  • Implementation Standards and Guidelines for Community-Based Projects: Lessons Learned from the School/Community Sexual Risk Reduction Project
  • Adolescent Sexual Health Resources Available from Sociometrics
  • Prevention Minimum Evaluation Data Set (PMEDS)
  • Local Evaluator Consultant Network Directory

  • Telephone technical support on implementation and evaluation for 1 year