Evaluation of an HIV/STD sexual risk-reduction intervention for pregnant African American adolescents attending a prenatal clinic in an urban public hospital: preliminary evidence of efficacy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate an intervention to reduce HIV/STD-associated behaviors and enhance psychosocial mediators for pregnant African-American adolescents.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial. Participants completed baseline and follow-up assessments.


METHODS
An urban public hospital in the Southeastern U.S.


METHODS
Pregnant African-American adolescents (N=170), 14-20 years of age, attending a prenatal clinic.


METHODS
Intervention participants received two 4-hr group sessions enhancing self-concept and self-worth, HIV/STD prevention skills, and safer sex practices. Participants in the comparison condition received a 2-hr session on healthy nutrition.


METHODS
Consistent condom use.


RESULTS
Intervention participants reported greater condom use at last intercourse (adjusted odds ratio=3.9, P=0.05) and consistent condom use (AOR=7.9, P=0.05), higher sexual communication frequency, enhanced ethnic pride, higher self-efficacy to refuse risky sex, and were less likely to fear abandonment as a result of negotiating safer sex.


CONCLUSIONS
Interventions for pregnant African-American adolescents can enhance condom use and psychosocial mediators.
DiClemente
R J
RJ
Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Wingood
G M
GM
Rose
E
E
Sales
J M
JM
Crosby
R A
RA
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D017008:Negotiating; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D021841:Safe Sex; D012649:Self Concept; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult