Brianna Loeck Principles of Health Behavior - MPH 515 Kimberly Brodie August 22, 2013 Educate Prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases & Teen Pregnancy

 Background  Target Population  The Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM)  Use of theory in practice  Constructs of the Think Smart program  Conclusion

 In the United States, 900,000 adolescents (15 to 19-year-olds) became pregnant in  There are twice as many teenage pregnancies in the United States each year as there are in England and Canada, and eight times as many as in Japan.  After three decades of steady increases, the proportion of teenagers 15 to 19 years old who were sexually active decreased by 50 percent during the mid 1990s.  Socioeconomic factors and limited life options, rather than ethnic or cultural background, place many youth at higher risk for unintended pregnancy.

 The United States ranks the highest regarding STD’s and teen pregnancies.  In 2009, 400,000 teen girls aged gave birth, 8,300 young adults aged years contract HIV, and 19 million contracted STD’s such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and genital herpes (CDC, 2013).  Fortunately, the rates of contraceptive and condom use are increasing, which have created a decrease in rates of sexual activity and teen pregnancy. However, the amount of young people engaging in sexual activity at an early age is increasing.

The PAPM represents qualitatively different patterns of behavior, beliefs, and experience and that the factors that produce transitions between stages vary depending on the specific transition being considered. This is a great model for targeting a certain population (teens) in order to influence and create healthy behaviors (condom use).

 Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program  Massachusetts  Primary target is at-risk youth, age  Additional target audiences for broad-based education and awareness activities are parents, agency  Science-based program monitored through a Management Information System (MIS). Outcome Goals  Increased abstinence and delayed onset of sexual activity among pre-adolescent and adolescent males and females  Reduced rates of youth engaging in health-related risk behaviors including, but not limited to, risky sexual behaviors  Decreased incidence of teen pregnancies and births, STDs, and HIV infection

 Adolescent Health and Youth Development (AHYD)  Located in Georgia within the Division of Public Health, Health Promotions and Disease Prevention Programs  The AHYD Unit was established as a result of the teenage pregnancy prevention initiative funded by the Georgia General Assembly beginning in 1998  To aim of the teenage pregnancy prevention initiative is to prevent welfare dependency and improve economic opportunity and responsible parenting.  Include programs for youth such as abstinence education, drug and alcohol prevention education, adolescent reproductive health services; parent educational seminars; and training programs designed to increase community awareness about teen pregnancy.

 Wyman’s Teen Outreach Program (TOP)  St. Louis, Missouri  It is an evidence-based best practice program specifically designed for teens in 6 th to 12 th grade guided by an engaging and relevant nine-month curriculum  The program’s mission is to enable teens from economically disadvantaged circumstances to lead successful lives and build strong communities  TOP has proven to be successful by lowering risk of suspension by 52%, lowering risk of course failure by 60%, lowering risk of pregnancy by 53% and lowering risk of school dropout by 60%

THINK SMART- Focuses on teenagers in middle and high school, reinforcing proper education and prevention techniques regarding STD’s and teen pregnancy. The goal is to implement a Sex Education course into schools. Health class will now only focus on nutrition and fitness. This would create increased hours of comprehensive sexual education. _____________________________________________________________ In order for this program to be successful, it will include:  Behavioral goals, teaching methods, and resources that are age- appropriate, developmentally appropriate, and culturally competent  Based on theoretical approaches that have been proven to be effective  Provides basic, accurate information about the risks of unprotected sexual intercourse and how to avoid unprotected sexual intercourse  Activities that address peer pressure and cultural pressure  Practice decision making, communication, negotiation, and refusal skills  Utilizes teachers who are well-trained, comfortable, and believe in the program

 Comprehensive education is key regarding prevention and the adoption of healthy behaviors.  Several children do not receive sexual education from their parents. Parent education is an extremely important factor.  Surveys and counseling sessions would be completed before and after the program based on the evaluation of knowledge and beliefs  Though teen pregnancy has dropped over the decades, STD’s are still on the rise and continue to be a major issue. This is why more programs on sexual education should be implemented.