Reducing the Risk- Rural schools
An Evidence-Based Practice
This practice has been Archived and is no longer maintained.
Description
Reducing the Risk contains 16 lessons and is designed for students in grades 9-12. The curriculum is taught by high school or middle school instructors and is designed to be part of a comprehensive sexuality education program.
The curriculum contains the following characteristics: 1) a narrow focus on a small number of specific behavioral goals; 2) a foundation in social learning theory and social influence theories; 3) activities that personalize information on the risks of unprotected sex and how to avoid those risks; 4) training about social influences; 5) support for personal values and group norms against unprotected intercourse; 6) exercises to develop skills; and 7) training for persons delivering the program.
The curriculum contains the following characteristics: 1) a narrow focus on a small number of specific behavioral goals; 2) a foundation in social learning theory and social influence theories; 3) activities that personalize information on the risks of unprotected sex and how to avoid those risks; 4) training about social influences; 5) support for personal values and group norms against unprotected intercourse; 6) exercises to develop skills; and 7) training for persons delivering the program.
Goal / Mission
The goal of the program was to reduce the risk for pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease by one or more of the following behaviors: a delay in initiating sexual intercourse; a reduction in the number of sexual partners and acts of intercourse; or an increase in contraception use.
Results / Accomplishments
When observing posttest data (18 months following intervention) for students who were not sexually active at pretest, 19 of the 69 students (27.5%) in the treatment group and 24 of 56 students (42.9%) in the comparison group reported becoming sexually active. This difference was significant (p<0.05), indicating that significantly fewer students became sexually active after receiving the Reducing the Risk program.
Students in the treatment groups who became sexually active had a significantly higher use of STD/HIV prevention and pregnancy prevention compared to the comparison group (p<0.05). Students in the treatment group also experienced a significant increase in communication between students and their parents regarding birth control and protection from STD/HIV (p<0.05).
Students in the treatment groups who became sexually active had a significantly higher use of STD/HIV prevention and pregnancy prevention compared to the comparison group (p<0.05). Students in the treatment group also experienced a significant increase in communication between students and their parents regarding birth control and protection from STD/HIV (p<0.05).
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
University of Central Arkansas
Primary Contact
Laurie Rose, Director of Customer Support
Sociometrics Corporation
170 State Street, Suite 260
Los Altos, CA 94022-2812
(650) 383-6253
lrose@socio.com
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org
Sociometrics Corporation
170 State Street, Suite 260
Los Altos, CA 94022-2812
(650) 383-6253
lrose@socio.com
http://www.advocatesforyouth.org
Topics
Health / Adolescent Health
Health / Family Planning
Health / Family Planning
Organization(s)
University of Central Arkansas
Source
Journal of School Health
Date of publication
1998
Location
Arkansas
For more details
Target Audience
Teens