Roy F Oman1, Breanca T Merritt2, Janene Fluhr3, Jean M Williams4. 1. Department of Health Promotion Sciences, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, PO Box 26901, Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0901. Roy-Oman@ouhsc.edu. 2. Indiana University Public Policy Institute, 334 N. Senate Ave. Ste. 300 Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. breanca@iupui.edu. 3. POWER Through Choices, Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, 3800 N. Classen Blvd. Ste. 230, Oklahoma City, OK 73118. jfluhr@oica.org. 4. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, PO Box 26901, Oklahoma City, OK 73126-0901. Jean-Williams@ouhsc.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of a national comprehensive teen pregnancy prevention (TPP) intervention to a national abstinence-only TPP intervention on middle school students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to teen sexual behaviors in a state with high teen birth rates. METHODS: Pre- and post-intervention data were collected annually (2005-2010) from seventh-grade students to evaluate school-based TPP programs that implemented a comprehensive (N = 3244) or abstinence-only (N = 3172) intervention. Chi-square and t tests, logistic regressions, and hierarchical multiple regressions examined relationships between sexuality-related behavioral intentions, knowledge, and attitudes. RESULTS: Students in both interventions reported significant (p < .05) improvements post-intervention. Youth in the comprehensive TPP intervention were more likely (p < .05) to have significantly improved their attitudes (odds ratios [ORs] = 1.35, 1.83, 1.23) and behavior regarding abstinence decisions in the past 3 months (OR = 1.39). The interventions' improvements in attitudes were more explanatory for behavioral intentions for students in the abstinence-only intervention than for students in the comprehensive TPP intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The mixed results suggest the comprehensive TPP intervention was only slightly more effective than the abstinence intervention, but that changing student attitudes and perceptions may be a key component of more effective TPP interventions.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of a national comprehensive teen pregnancy prevention (TPP) intervention to a national abstinence-only TPP intervention on middle school students' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to teen sexual behaviors in a state with high teen birth rates. METHODS: Pre- and post-intervention data were collected annually (2005-2010) from seventh-grade students to evaluate school-based TPP programs that implemented a comprehensive (N = 3244) or abstinence-only (N = 3172) intervention. Chi-square and t tests, logistic regressions, and hierarchical multiple regressions examined relationships between sexuality-related behavioral intentions, knowledge, and attitudes. RESULTS: Students in both interventions reported significant (p < .05) improvements post-intervention. Youth in the comprehensive TPP intervention were more likely (p < .05) to have significantly improved their attitudes (odds ratios [ORs] = 1.35, 1.83, 1.23) and behavior regarding abstinence decisions in the past 3 months (OR = 1.39). The interventions' improvements in attitudes were more explanatory for behavioral intentions for students in the abstinence-only intervention than for students in the comprehensive TPP intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The mixed results suggest the comprehensive TPP intervention was only slightly more effective than the abstinence intervention, but that changing student attitudes and perceptions may be a key component of more effective TPP interventions.
Authors: Alexander W Pastuszak; Evan P Wenker; Peggy B Smith; Allyssa Abacan; Dolores J Lamb; Larry I Lipshultz; Ruth Buzi Journal: Am J Mens Health Date: 2016-02-04
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