The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #49942

Genevieve H. Sherrow, BS, Research Associate, Family Planning Council, 260 South Broad Street, Suite 1000, Philadelphia, PA 19102, Nathalie A. Bartle, EdD, School of Public Health, MCP Hahnemann University, 245 North 15th Street, Mail Stop 660, Philadelphia, PA 19102-1192, Paula Braverman, MD, Chief, Section of Adolescent Medicine, St. Christopher's Hospital, Erie Avenue and Front Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134, Karen Paarz, PhD, Research Manager, Family Planning Council, 260 South Broad Street, Suite 1000, Philadelphia, PA 19102, and Gene-Paul Henry, BA, Juvenile Justice Treatment Services, Northeast Treatment Centers, 4212 Chestnut Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19104, 215-327-7739, genevieve@familyplanning.org.

A youth development program for adolescent males implemented in two urban high schools was replicated in a behavioral health care agency providing services to adjudicated and at-risk youth in Philadelphia. The program objectives were to: improve knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding reproductive health (support abstinence, increase contraception use); increase utilization of and access to primary and reproductive health care services; and enhance personal values, cultural and family interactions, relationships, and life skills. A curriculum on fatherhood development was adapted to address specific needs of this largely African-American, Hispanic adolescent population including: manhood, decision-making, self-sufficiency, conflict resolution, sexual health, and fatherhood. The program consisted of 14-weekly, two-hour sessions led by male facilitators (selected by school and community administrators) who were required to complete a 2 ½ day training course. The small group sessions were augmented by a field trip to a family planning clinic and a concluding graduation celebration. A multi-method evaluation design involved students completing pre/post surveys and debriefing sessions with facilitators and students. Analyses indicated statistically significant increases in knowledge regarding sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy prevention, contraception and child development. Positive trends toward improvement in self-sufficiency, accountability, communication and interpersonal skills were also found. Qualitative data support the importance of male facilitators who can form meaningful relationships with male youth, a small-group format that facilitated the development of trust among group members, the weekly food incentives, and graduation awards. With the multiple challenges facing adjudicated adolescent males in an urban context, this program shows promise for replication in other urban settings.

Learning Objectives:

• Define health and developmental needs of urban adolescent males
• Describe expansion and replication of a youth development program to a hard-to-reach population - adjudicated adolescent males
• Identify barriers that prevent adolescent males from accessing family planning and primary health care services
• Describe evaluation design and program results

Keywords: Male Health, Community-Based Partnership

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.