Increasing adolescent girls' ability to identify STI-risk characteristics of sexual partners: a pilot study within an alternative disciplinary school

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Eric Richardson, University of Florida; Kelli Komro, Emory University; Esaa Samarah, University of Florida; Stephanie A. S. Staras, University of Florida
• Language: English
• Date: 2019-12-01
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2018-053674
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Volume: 95
• Issue: 8
• Start Page: 580
• End Page: 583
• Grant/Funding Information: Financial support for this research was provided by the National Institute for Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: K01 AA018255.
• Keywords: Life Sciences & Biomedicine; Science & Technology; primary prevention; sexually transmitted infection; schools; pilot studies; adolescent; sexual partners; Infectious Diseases
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology; Health Sciences, Public Health; Education, Health; Biology, Bioinformatics

Abstract

Objectives: We evaluated the feasibility of conducting a nine-week long sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention intervention, Angels in Action, within an alternative disciplinary school for adolescent girls. Methods: All girls who were 16- to 18-years old, enrolled in the school, and did not have plans to transfer from the school were eligible to participate. We measured process feasibility with recruitment, retention, and participant enjoyment. Using a pretest-posttest design with a double post-test, we used Chi-square tests to estimate the intervention effect on participants’ sexual partner risk knowledge, intentions to reduce partner risk, and sexual activities in the past 60 days with three behavioural surveys: prior to, immediately following, and three months after the intervention. Results: Among the 20 girls who were eligible, 95% (19/20) of parents consented and all girls (19/19) agreed to participate. Survey participation was 100% (19/19) prior to, 76% (13/17) immediately following, and 53% (9/17) three months after the intervention. The intervention was administered twice and a total 17 girls participated. Session attendance was high (89%) and most participants (80%) reported enjoying the intervention. The intervention increased the percentage of girls who could identify partner characteristics associated with increased STI risk: 38% before, 92% immediately following, and 100% three months after the intervention (p-value = 0.01). Girls also increased their intentions to find out four of the most highly associated partner characteristics (partner’s age, recent sexual activity, and STI or jail history): 32% before to 75% immediately following (p-value = 0.02) and 67% three months after the intervention (p-value = 0.09). Conclusions: This pilot study suggests girls at alternative disciplinary schools participated in and enjoyed a nine-week STI preventive intervention. Within alternative disciplinary schools, it is potentially feasible to increase girls’ consideration of partner risk characteristics as a means to enhance their STI prevention skills.