In 1997, the California Department of Health Services funded 112 Community Challenge Grant (CCG) projects aimed at reducing adolescent and unwed pregnancy and fatherlessness by linking community-based organizations, schools, health educators, social service providers, parents, and youth. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the CCG program in promoting positive changes among adolescent participants who are at particularly high-risk of unintended pregnancy. A sample 1,984, 14-19 year old adolescents completed a risk/resiliency survey which measured sexual and contraceptive attitudes, behaviors, discussions with parents, and knowledge, as well as adolescents' self worth, personal strengths, such as school, friends and family, stressful experiences, college plans, and drug and alcohol use. Program participants were categorized into higher-risk and lower-risk categories based on their overall average scores on six psychosocial measures. Following CCG Program participation, adolescents demonstrate a significant increase in resiliency outcomes and a decrease in risk behaviors. When compared to lower-risk youth, higher-risk youth exhibit the greatest degree of change on individual outcome measures from pre- to posttest. Sexually active higher-risk adolescents who do not use birth control at pretest show a more marked and positive increase in contraception use at posttest than lower-risk adolescents. The CCG program has successfully reached youth at high-risk of unintended pregnancy and is a model teen pregnancy program well suited to affect changes among these youth.
Learning Objectives: 1.Identify elements of a community-based pregnancy prevention program that are successful in reaching at risk youth
Keywords: Adolescents, Sexual Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Community Challenge Grant and select fundees (non of whom will be individually identified)
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Researcher