MedPath

Evaluation of the Spark of Duval Intervention

Not Applicable
Conditions
Teen Pregnancy Prevention
Interventions
Behavioral: S.P.A.R.K (Speaking to the Potential, Ability and Resilience inside Kids) Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Mentoring
Registration Number
NCT04044027
Lead Sponsor
University of South Florida
Brief Summary

The S.P.A.R.K (Speaking to the Potential, Ability, and Resilience inside Kids) Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Mentoring program is being administered to youth (ages 11-17) living in out-of-home foster care in Duval County, Florida. Children's Home Society of Florida in Jacksonville received grant funding for the implementation and evaluation of the S.P.A.R.K program. The University of South Florida is examining the effects of intervention on reducing youth involvement in risky sexual behavior and incidents of teen pregnancy.

Detailed Description

The evaluation is conducting an individual randomized controlled trial to test the S.P.A.R.K. (Speaking to the Potential, Ability, and Resilience inside Kids) Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Mentoring intervention with youth assigned to either the intervention or control group. As youth are referred to the study, grantee staff confirm their eligibility and then work with the youth's child welfare case manager to obtain youth assent and parental consent. Once approximately 40 to 60 youth are recruited, grantee staff selects a day for baseline survey administration. Survey administration and group assignment take place at the grantee agency and incentives to complete the survey are provided including a gift card and snacks. All eligible youth with a signed assent and informed consent forms are invited to attend the baseline survey administration and group assignment. The evaluation team generates random numbers using computer software, and the grantee staff uses these numbers to indicate youth assignment to the intervention or control group, after youth have completed the baseline survey.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
400
Inclusion Criteria
  • Youth aged 11-17, living in out-of-home foster care in Duval County, FL (Florida) are eligible for participation. Only youth who have provided assent and have received parental/guardian informed consent are included in the study.
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Youth who are teen parents, expectant parents, or currently living in residential facilities are excluded from the study.
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intervention GroupS.P.A.R.K (Speaking to the Potential, Ability and Resilience inside Kids) Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Mentoring-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Condom and Birth Control Use during Sex3 months and 6 months

Frequency of condom use

Change in Sexual Activity in the Past Three Months3 months and 6 months

Number of times vaginal sex occurred in the past three months.

Change in Pregnancy Occurrence3 months and 6 months

Yes or No question regarding pregnancy

Change in Behaviors3 months and 6 months

Survey questionnaire related to adolescent behaviors.

Change in Sex Initiation3 months and 6 months

Yes or No question regarding sexual activity

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Relationships with People3 months and 6 months

Survey questionnaire related to relationships with people.

Change in Basic Life Skills3 months and 6 months

Survey questionnaire related to basic life skills.

Change in Connections with Peers3 months and 6 months

Survey questionnaire related to connections with peers.

Change in Educational Expectations and Academic Success3 months and 6 months

Survey questionnaire related to education expectations and academic successes.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of South Florida

🇺🇸

Tampa, Florida, United States

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