Effects of a Replication of a Multicomponent Model for Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy In Three Kansas Communities
3118299.pdf

Authors

Adrienne Paine-Andrews Kari Jo Harris Jacqueline L. Fisher Rhonda K. Lewis Ella L. Williams Stephen B. Fawcett Murray L. Vincent
Context

A significant amount of attention has been devoted to the complex issue of teenage pregnancy and to programs for reducing pregnancy among adolescents. Careful evaluations of such programs are needed to ascertain what strategies will be most effective at reducing teenage pregnancy.

Methods

A pretest-posttest comparison group design was used to analyze the effects of a comprehensive multicomponent school and community intervention on estimated pregnancy rates and birthrates among young people in three Kansas communities: Geary County, Franklin County and selected neighborhoods of Wichita.

Results

There were high levels of program activity in all three communities during the intervention period, including teacher training and sexuality education for students. Survey respondents rated highly such project interventions as the extension of school-linked clinic hours to accommodate student schedules and support groups established in middle schools. Between 1994 and 1997, the proportions of adolescents reporting that they had ever had sex decreased significantly among all ninth and 10th graders in Geary County, from 51% to 38% among females and from 63% to 43% among males. In Franklin County, more males in grades 11 and 12 reported using condoms in 1996 (55%) than had done so in 1994 (39%). Age at first intercourse remained relatively stable in Franklin and Geary counties during the intervention period. The estimated pregnancy rate among adolescents aged 14-17 decreased between 1994 and 1997 in Geary Country, while it increased in comparison areas. The estimated pregnancy rates among 14-17-year-olds decreased in both Franklin County and its comparison communities. The birthrate declined both in one target area of Wichita and in its comparison area from 1991-1993 to 1994-1996. Over the same time period, the birthrate increased in a second target area of Wichita, while it decreased in the comparison community.

Conclusions

This evaluation of a comprehensive multicomponent program for adolescent pregnancy prevention contributes to our understanding of this model and its replicability in diverse communities. Ongoing program evaluation is important for developing initiatives and for refining strategies so they respond to local conditions.

Family Planning Perspectives, 1999, 31(4):182-189

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Author's Affiliations

Adrienne Paine-Andrews is associate director, Jacqueline L. Fisher is coordinator for site development and Stephen B. Fawcett is director with the Work Group on Health Promotion & Community Development, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS. Kari Jo Harris is now project coordinator and research instructor in the Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City, KS. Rhonda K. Lewis is now assistant professor, Department of Psychology, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS. Ella L. Williams is now regional consultant, National Immunization Program, Kansas City, MO. Murray L. Vincent is professor, Department of Health Promotion and Education, School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC. The research described in this article was supported by grants to the University of Kansas and to the University of South Carolina from the Kansas Health Foundation, and was approved by the University of Kansas Advisory Committee on Human Experimentation. The authors thank Nancy Abbott, Beatrice Adams, Pat Anderson, Tommy Benford, Juanita Blackmon, Annette Blecha, Carolyn Custard, Margaret Dukes, Deidra Edwards, Marche Fleming-Randle, Ursula Harold, Melissa Hatfield, Sylvia Hollis, Carrie Jones, Chris Kautzer, Karla Leath, Larry Lee, Charles McClain, Sebrena Oliver, Robin Pasek, Shannon Pulliam, Midge (Mary) Ransom, Dimitria Roberts, Diemedira Schrimscher, Mary Cay Stauffer and Cindi Walker, from the community initiatives; Mary K. Campuzano, from the Kansas Health Foundation; and Vincent T. Francisco and Janet Marquis, from the University of Kansas. We also thank members of the Technical Review Committee for the Initiative for their support and guidance throughout the initiative.

Disclaimer

The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the Guttmacher Institute.
Volume 31, Issue 4
July/August 1999
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Pages 182 - 189

First published online: