SUMMARY

This is a single-session group intervention originally targeted toward sexually active girls between 13 and 21 years of age. The session includes a brief lecture on the transmission and prevention of HIV/AIDS (based on CDC guidelines), followed by a video explaining the purpose and use of condoms. As the session ends, participants receive an educational booklet reinforcing the program's lessons and coupons that may be redeemed anonymously for an unmarked box of condoms at a local pharmacy. The redemption rate of the coupons provides a measure of the program's impact. A field study of the intervention was conducted with 75 White and African-American females, all of whom were sexually active. Among prior purchasers of condoms, girls who took part in the intervention were significantly more likely to redeem the coupons than were control groups of their peers. Overall, 60% of program participants obtained condoms, a rate 2 1/2 times greater than that recorded in comparable programs without a confidential redemption procedure.

SUITABLE FOR USE IN

This program can be implemented in a variety of medical or reproductive health clinic settings, providing that arrangements can be made with a local pharmacy for confidential condom redemption.

ORIGINAL INTERVENTION SAMPLE

Age, Gender
The original sample included 75 females, ages 13 to 21 years.

Race/Ethnicity
52% African-American, 48% White.

PROGRAM LENGTH

The single, one-hour session includes a lecture and video presentation, along with distribution of an educational booklet and coupons for confidential condom redemption.

STAFFING REQUIREMENTS/TRAINING

A medical or health services professional should lead the educational sessions with groups of up to four teens.