This study evaluated the impact of the three-year Healthy Futures program on teen sexual behaviors in three Massachusetts cities.
This study evaluated the impact of the three-year Healthy Futures program on teen sexual behaviors in three Massachusetts cities. This longitudinal school-cluster randomized controlled trial included 15 public middle schools (n=1,344). Participants were enrolled in the 6th grade in the 2011-2012 school year (Cohort 1) or 2012-2013 school year (Cohort 2). Outcome data sources included five student surveys: baseline; 6th, 7th, 8th grade follow-ups; and 9th grade follow-up (Cohort 1 only).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Enrollment
1,344
Healthy Futures is an age-appropriate program that targets change at different social ecological levels-individual, interpersonal, and organizational. The main component is a classroom-based relationship education curriculum, Nu-CULTURE, offered in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade for eight 50-minute sessions each year. A number of supplemental efforts aim to enhance the Nu-CULTURE program and create social supports: 1) virtual classrooms where participating youth are encouraged to visit age-appropriate youth websites; 2) daily interactive parental connection forms linked with Nu-CULTURE, a parent website, and workshops (True Connections); 3) a 10-week after-school program, Rhymin' it Write, encourages youth leadership; 4) a 6-week summer program, Code A, engages youth during out-of-school time after 8th grade.
The Control Curriculum offers students in the control group two 50-minute classes each year on general health education topics. Students in the 6th grade receive a class on puberty/reproduction and a class on bullying prevention; students in the 7th grade receive two classes on dating-violence prevention; and students in the 8th grade receive two classes on mental health promotion.
JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc.
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Prevalence of participants who reported vaginal sex
Participants were followed for the duration of the three-year Healthy Futures program delivered in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. The primary outcome was measured approximately two years (8th grade) after the baseline (6th grade) questionnaire. Prevalence of participants who reported vaginal sex was measured by participant response \[Yes/No\] to the question: "For the purposes of this survey, by sex, we mean a male putting his penis into a female's vagina. Other ways of saying sex are "doing it" or going all the way". Have you ever had sex?"
Time frame: 2 Years
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