A Parent-Based Intervention to Reduce Sexual Risk Behavior in Adolescents
- Conditions
- Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms
- Interventions
- Behavioral: Active Control on Hygiene & NutritionBehavioral: Families Talking Together
- Registration Number
- NCT01326806
- Lead Sponsor
- New York University
- Brief Summary
The purpose of this study is to test the feasibility and efficacy of a triadic intervention designed to target both healthcare providers and parents in order to prevent adolescent sexual risk behavior in Latino and African American adolescents. The intervention will be administered in the context of mothers waiting for their children to complete a non-acute care visit.
- Detailed Description
In the United States, racial and ethnic minorities suffer disproportionately from preventable diseases and conditions. Many of these problems result from health-related behaviors that are established during childhood and adolescence. Latino and African-American adolescents are at considerable risk for the negative consequences of early, risky sexual activity. This study will focus on Latino and African-American early adolescents ages 11 to 14.
The primary aim for this study will be to test and refine a triadic intervention developed for healthcare providers and parents to address the issue of sexual risk behavior among African American and Latino adolescents.
The triadic intervention will take place in a pediatric health care clinic when mothers accompany their children for a non-acute care visit. Mothers will meet with a provider extender (medical assistant, social worker, counselor) for approximately 30 minutes while their children are being examined by a healthcare provider. During this time, mothers will receive information about the problem of premature adolescent sexual activity, support in preventing or reducing their children's sexual risk behavior, instruction about how to talk with their children about sexual risk behavior, and targeted homework activities. The healthcare provider will endorse the intervention separately for mothers and adolescents. All parents will also receive one follow-up phone call to increase the probability that the homework tasks will be completed.
Participants in this study will also be assigned to one of the following three groups: an experimental group; an active control group; or a passive control group. Participants in all groups will complete three questionnaires over the course of the study to assess outcomes. Participants in the experimental and active control groups will partake in an intervention session with a provider extender. Parents in the experimental group will meet with the provider extender to discuss effective parent-adolescent communication strategies. They will also receive take-home materials to help them communicate with and parent their adolescents to reduce sexual risk behavior. Parents in the active control group will meet with the provider extender to discuss adolescent nutrition and receive informational brochures.
One booster session will take place via telephone for parents in the experimental and active control groups. The booster call will occur approximately 1 month after study entry. No such booster calls will be provided to parents in the passive control condition.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 1800
- Adolescents must be between the ages of 11 and 14 years old
- Adolescent is able to agree to being a participant
- Participant must be able to participate in questionnaire and intervention activities
- Participant must be of Latino or African American descent
- Any cognitive or psychiatric disability that would prevent successful participation in questionnaire or intervention activities
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Hygiene & Nutrition Education + Standard Care Active Control on Hygiene & Nutrition Participating mothers will receive information on hygiene and nutrition while their child is having a physical exam. Sex Education + Standard Care Families Talking Together Participating mothers will receive sex education information while their child is having a physical exam.
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Incidence of condom use Measured at 12-months post-intervention Incidence of vaginal intercourse Measured at 12 months post-intervention
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Number of sexual partners Measured at 3 months post-intervention Incidence of condom use Measured at 3 months post-intervention Behavioral intentions Measured at 3 months post-intervention Behavioral intentions to engage in sexual intercourse will be assessed based on responses to three statements, each using a five point agree-disagree scale. The items are: (a) I think I am ready to have sexual intercourse; (b) I would have sexual intercourse now if I had a boy who would do it with me; and (c) I plan on having sexual intercourse in the next six months.
Incidence of vaginal intercourse Measured at 3 months post-intervention
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
New York University
🇺🇸New York, New York, United States