Teenage Pregnancy And Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention: A Pilot Study Exploring Knowledge And Reported Behaviors

Abstract

The Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPP) is administered by the Office of Adolescent Health, with a goal of addressing the rising teen pregnancy rates in the United States. One TPP initiative includes the replication of evidence-based program models that seek to prevent teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (Department of Health and Human Services, 2014). FOCUS Butler County, in Southwestern Ohio, is one such women’s health program. In a pilot study, conducted between March and August 2011, 96 female participants between the ages of 16 and 23 were surveyed to capture a “snapshot” of their baseline knowledge and behaviors. Following their completion of the questionnaire, respondents participated in eight hours of evidenced-based, comprehensive sexual education. Four months post-intervention (n=49) and 12 months post-intervention (n=28), participants were re-surveyed to assess knowledge and behaviors. This longitudinal, observational study explored the frequency and means of reported responses. For further analysis, questions were assigned to one of ten categories: 1) demographics/history, 2) knowledge-based, 3) reported behaviors, 4) opinions, 5) perceived opinions of friends, 6) intentions for future practice, 7) perception of risk, 8) attitudes regarding condom use, 9) attitudes related to alcohol use, and 10) perception of comfort related to health seeking behaviors. Significant findings were noted in the category of knowledge-based questions.