Smoking and sexual risk behaviors in urban adolescent females are prevalent and problematic. Family planning clinics reach those who are at most risk. This randomized effectiveness trial evaluated a transtheoretical model (TTM)-tailored intervention to increase condom use and decrease smoking. At baseline, a total of 828 14- to 17-year-old females were recruited and randomized within four urban family planning clinics. Participants received TTM or standard care (SC) computerized feedback and stage-targeted or SC counseling at baseline, 3, 6 and 9 months. Blinded follow-up telephone surveys were conducted at 12 and 18 months. Analyses revealed significantly more consistent condom use in the TTM compared with the SC group at 6 and 12, but not at 18 months. In baseline consistent condom users (40%), significantly less relapse was found in the TTM compared with the SC group at 6 and 12, but not at 18 months. No significant effects for smoking prevention or cessation were found, although cessation rates matched those found previously. This TTM-tailored intervention demonstrated effectiveness for increasing consistent condom use at 6 and 12 months, but not at 18 months, in urban adolescent females. This intervention, if replicated, could be disseminated to promote consistent condom use and additional health behaviors in youth at risk.
In July 1989, family planning services were integrated into 13 drug treatment programs in Philadelphia. To obtain information on the family planning needs of women in drug treatment programs, baseline interviews were conducted with 599 women. Three-quarters of these women had had a sexually transmitted disease, and although they were in a drug treatment program, 41 percent had injected drugs in the previous month. In addition, 62 percent of the women who were sexually active in the previous month had not used a contraceptive. Twelve months into the program, seven focus groups were conducted with 65 women and men to learn more about their opinions and attitudes related to contraceptives and family planning services in general. The discussions revealed that many of the participants were unsure what family planning services included, saw no need for such services or had had prior negative experiences with health care providers. There was also a great deal of misinformation about contraceptives and the effects they have on health.
Objective. The authors used data from a larger study to evaluate the longterm effects of a peer advocate intervention on condom and contraceptive use among HIV-infected women and women at high risk for HIV infection.Methods. HlV-infected women in one study and women at high risk for HIV infection in a second study were selected from the Women and lnfants Demonstration Project and assigned to a standard or an enhanced HIV prevention treatment group. The enhanced intervention included support groups and one-on-one contacts with peer advocates tailored to clients' needs, The authors interviewed women at baseline and at 6-, l2-and I Bmonths, and measured changes in consistency of condom and contraceptive use and in self-efficacy and perceived advantages and disadvantages of condom and contraceptive use.Results. Of HIV-infected women, the enhanced group had improved consistency in condom use, increased perceived advantages of condom use, and increased level of self-efflcacy compared with the standard group. Of women at risk, the enhanced intervention group at six months maintained consistent condom use with a main partner and perceived more benefit of condom use compared with the standard group. These differences diminished at l2 months.Conclusions. The enhanced intervention was generally effective in the HIV+ study. In the at-risk study, however, intervention effects were minimal and shorl-lived. Factors related to the theory, intervention design, and sample characteristics help explain these differences.
PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS .2OoISUPPLEMENT I . VoLUME I16
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