title: Bringing Evidence-Based Sexual Health Programs to Adolescents in Black Churches: Applying Knowledge From Systematic Adaptation Frameworks.
abstract: Previous studies have documented Black churches' receptivity to implementing adolescent sexual health programs within their congregations. Some authors have argued for new sexual health programs to be designed specifically for churches, similar to the development of school- and community-based interventions. However, strategies and curricula used in secular settings may also be effective in influencing sexual behaviors among youth in churches. The current study examined the ways in which the phases of two theorized intervention adaptation frameworks were reflected in the desired key components of a church-based sexual health program. Participants in this community-based participatory research project were youth, parents, and faith leaders from nine Black churches in Baltimore, Maryland. Our findings suggest that the priorities of church stakeholders are consistent, rather than discordant, with the current paradigms of evidence-based sexual health programs and intervention adaptation. Future research and practical implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Fiona H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Weeks
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA twilliams@jhu.edu.
authors.forename: Terrinieka W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Illangasekare
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins School of Education, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.affiliation: Sisters Together and Reaching, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Sisters Together and Reaching, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hickman
authors.affiliation: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Blum
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000067697:Adolescent Health; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D015142:Baltimore; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D012067:Religion; D012746:Sexual Abstinence; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: adolescent health; community-based participatory research; faith-based; qualitative