title: Lessons learned in evaluating the Familias Fuertes program in three countries in Latin America.
abstract: This report describes 1) the evaluation of the Familias Fuertes primary prevention program in three countries (Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador) and 2) the effect of program participation on parenting practices. Familias Fuertes was implemented in Bolivia (10 groups, 96 parents), Colombia (12 groups, 173 parents), and Ecuador (five groups, 42 parents) to prevent the initiation and reduce the prevalence of health-compromising behaviors among adolescents by strengthening family relationships and enhancing parenting skills. The program consists of seven group sessions (for 6-12 families) designed for parents/caregivers and their 10-14-year-old child. Parents/caregivers answered a survey before the first session and at the completion of the program. The survey measured two important mediating constructs: "positive parenting" and "parental hostility." The Pan American Health Organization provided training for facilitators. After the program, parents/caregivers from all three countries reported significantly higher mean scores for "positive parenting" and significantly lower mean scores for "parental hostility" than at the pre-test. "Positive parenting" practices paired with low "parental hostility" are fundamental to strengthening the relationship between parents/caregivers and the children and reducing adolescents' health-compromising behaviors. More research is needed to examine the long-term impact of the program on adolescent behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion and Behavior, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America, porpinas@uga.edu.
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Orpinas
authors.affiliation: Department of Family, Gender and Life Course, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, Columbia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ambrose
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health.
authors.forename: Matilde
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maddaleno
authors.affiliation: Department of Family, Gender and Life Course, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, Columbia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Lauren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vulanovic
authors.affiliation: Pan American Health Organization, La Paz, Bolivia.
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mejia
authors.affiliation: Department of Family, Gender and Life Course, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, Columbia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Betzabé
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Butrón
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Gonzalo Sosa
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Gutierrez
authors.affiliation: Department of Family, Gender and Life Course, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, Columbia, United States of America.
authors.forename: Ismael
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Soriano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001838:Bolivia; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education; D002648:Child; D002668:Child Rearing; D003105:Colombia; D003625:Data Collection; D004484:Ecuador; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010175:Pan American Health Organization; D016487:Parenting; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D014741:Video Recording