Kristin Haglund1. 1. Marquette University, College of Nursing, Milwaukee, WI 53201-1881, USA. kristin.haglund@mu.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Test a novel intervention to help sexually experienced girls increase abstinence behaviors and attitudes. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental repeated measures design using qualitative and quantitative data. SETTING: Two alternative public schools. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-three females whose mean age was 16 and who were 79% African American participated. Most (79%) had experienced a pregnancy. INTERVENTION: A 6 session, weekly, interactive intervention was delivered. Data were collected at baseline, last session, and at 5 and 7 month follow-ups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measured outcomes related to abstinence included participants' reasons, behaviors, stages of change, and attitudes. RESULTS: The most common reason for abstinence was not wanting to have sex. At each postintervention data collection point, most participants (greater than or equal to 74%) reported that they had purposefully avoided sex. Duration of consecutive days of abstinence increased although only significantly at 5 month follow-up. Abstinence behaviors increased with the largest change from first to last session. Stage of change advanced from preparation to action by 7 month follow-up. Attitudes toward abstinence became more favorable. CONCLUSION: Effective sexual risk reduction interventions are critically needed to promote safety. Nurses may assist young women to decrease their sexual risks by teaching them to practice periodic abstinence.
OBJECTIVE: Test a novel intervention to help sexually experienced girls increase abstinence behaviors and attitudes. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental repeated measures design using qualitative and quantitative data. SETTING: Two alternative public schools. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-three females whose mean age was 16 and who were 79% African American participated. Most (79%) had experienced a pregnancy. INTERVENTION: A 6 session, weekly, interactive intervention was delivered. Data were collected at baseline, last session, and at 5 and 7 month follow-ups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Measured outcomes related to abstinence included participants' reasons, behaviors, stages of change, and attitudes. RESULTS: The most common reason for abstinence was not wanting to have sex. At each postintervention data collection point, most participants (greater than or equal to 74%) reported that they had purposefully avoided sex. Duration of consecutive days of abstinence increased although only significantly at 5 month follow-up. Abstinence behaviors increased with the largest change from first to last session. Stage of change advanced from preparation to action by 7 month follow-up. Attitudes toward abstinence became more favorable. CONCLUSION: Effective sexual risk reduction interventions are critically needed to promote safety. Nurses may assist young women to decrease their sexual risks by teaching them to practice periodic abstinence.
Authors: Alexandra Morales; José P Espada; Mireia Orgilés; Silvia Escribano; Blair T Johnson; Marguerita Lightfoot Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-06-28 Impact factor: 3.240