title: Reducing substance use and risky sexual behavior among young, low-income, Mexican-American women: comparison of two interventions.
abstract: A pre-posttest, randomized pilot study evaluated the effect of two selective prevention interventions on knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors to prevent and/or reduce substance use and risky sexual behaviors among 50 predominantly Mexican-American, low-income young women. Women were randomly assigned to either a risk and resilience workshop or a health information correspondence course. Comparison tests using t tests and chi-square analyses were conducted to determine the baseline equivalence and pre- and posttest effects of the interventions. Both interventions had consistently similar effects. Neither significantly decreased use of alcohol or cigarettes. Both interventions significantly improved attitude, sexual self-efficacy, and resilience scores. Contraceptive use increased among women in partnered relationships, and both condom use and contraceptive use increased among sexually active, single young women. Both interventions also had significant positive effects on reported ability to discuss precautions to prevent human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with sexual partners. Study limitations and implications for clinical practice and future research are provided.
authors.affiliation: University of Washington, School of Nursing, Seattle, 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Cathy Strachan
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lindenberg
authors.forename: Rosa M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Solorzano
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bear
authors.forename: Ora
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Strickland
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Galvis
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pittman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003270:Contraceptive Agents; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017058:Mexican Americans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011203:Poverty; D012309:Risk-Taking; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D003270:Contraceptive Agents