All4You!: A Randomized Trial of an HIV, Other STDs, and Pregnancy Prevention Intervention for Alternative School Students

• NCJ Number: 215241
• Journal: AIDS Education and Prevention Volume: 18 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2006 Pages: 187-203
• Author(s): Karen K. Coyle; Douglas B. Kirby; Leah E. Robin; Stephen W. Banspach; Elizabeth Baumler; Jill R. Glassman
• Date Published: June 2006
• Length: 17 pages
• Contract Number(s): U87CCU916390
• Sponsoring Agency: Ctr's for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Evaluation
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article presents the methodology and findings of All4You!, a theoretically based curriculum whose objective is to reduce sexual risk behaviors associated with HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and unintended pregnancy among students in alternative schools.

Abstract

At the 6-month follow-up, those who had completed the curriculum had reduced their frequency of intercourse without a condom during the previous 3 months, the frequency of intercourse without a condom with steady partners, and the number of times they had intercourse in the previous 3 months. The curriculum also increased condom use at last intercourse. These behavioral effects, however, were no longer statistically significant at the 12-month and 18-month follow-ups. Overall, the curriculum's effects were modest and short-term. More research is needed to extend and sustain program effects, with attention to the role that interpersonal and institutional support play for alternative school students. The All4You! intervention featured 2 primary components that were integrated and delivered as a 14-session program (approximately 26 hours total). One component was a skills-based focus on ways to prevent HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy, and the other component consisted of service-learning activities. The focus of both components was on key risk and protective factors related to sexual behaviors. Lessons were drawn from two existing evidence-based curricula: Be Proud, Be Responsible and Safer Choices. The study involved a randomized controlled trial in 24 alternative schools located in 4 large urban counties in northern California. Thirteen schools were randomly assigned to receive the program intervention. The remaining 11 schools were used as control sites. A cohort of 988 students was assessed 4 times during an 18-month period, using a self-report questionnaire. 4 tables and 44 references