OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of Safer Choices, a theory-based, multi-component educational program designed to reduce sexual risk behaviors and increase protective behaviors in preventing HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy among high school students. METHODS: The study used a randomized controlled trial involving 20 high schools in California and Texas. A cohort of 3869 ninth-grade students was tracked for 31 months from fall semester 1993 (baseline) to spring semester 1996 (31-month follow-up). Data were collected using self-report surveys administered by trained data collectors. Response rate at 31-month follow-up was 79%. RESULTS: Safer Choices had its greatest effect on measures involving condom use. The program reduced the frequency of intercourse without a condom during the three months prior to the survey, reduced the number of sexual partners with whom students had intercourse without a condom, and increased use of condoms and other protection against pregnancy at last intercourse. Safer Choices also improved 7 of 13 psychosocial variables, many related to condom use, but did not have a significant effect upon rates of sexual initiation. CONCLUSIONS: The Safer Choices program was effective in reducing important risk behaviors for HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy and in enhancing most psychosocial determinants of such behavior.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of Safer Choices, a theory-based, multi-component educational program designed to reduce sexual risk behaviors and increase protective behaviors in preventing HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy among high school students. METHODS: The study used a randomized controlled trial involving 20 high schools in California and Texas. A cohort of 3869 ninth-grade students was tracked for 31 months from fall semester 1993 (baseline) to spring semester 1996 (31-month follow-up). Data were collected using self-report surveys administered by trained data collectors. Response rate at 31-month follow-up was 79%. RESULTS: Safer Choices had its greatest effect on measures involving condom use. The program reduced the frequency of intercourse without a condom during the three months prior to the survey, reduced the number of sexual partners with whom students had intercourse without a condom, and increased use of condoms and other protection against pregnancy at last intercourse. Safer Choices also improved 7 of 13 psychosocial variables, many related to condom use, but did not have a significant effect upon rates of sexual initiation. CONCLUSIONS: The Safer Choices program was effective in reducing important risk behaviors for HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy and in enhancing most psychosocial determinants of such behavior.
Authors: Steven M Goodreau; Emily D Pollock; Li Yan Wang; Lisa C Barrios; Richard L Dunville; Maria V Aslam; David A Katz; Rachel Hart-Malloy; Elizabeth M Rosenthal; Monica Trigg; Megan Fields; Deven T Hamilton; Eli S Rosenberg Journal: Ann Epidemiol Date: 2020-05-27 Impact factor: 3.797
Authors: Stephanie G Bell; Susan F Newcomer; Christine Bachrach; Elaine Borawski; John B Jemmott; Diane Morrison; Bonita Stanton; Susan Tortolero; Richard Zimmerman Journal: J Adolesc Health Date: 2006-11-29 Impact factor: 5.012
Authors: Susan R Tortolero; Christine M Markham; Robert C Addy; Elizabeth R Baumler; Soledad Liliana Escobar-Chaves; Karen M Basen-Engquist; Nicole K McKirahan; Guy S Parcel Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Date: 2007-06-02 Impact factor: 2.226