Jemmott, J. B., Jemmott, L. S., Braverman, P. K., & Fong, G. T. (2005).Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 159(5), 440-449.
This randomized clinical longitudinal trial documented that African American and Latina adolescent women who had an educational intervention, practiced applying condoms, and role-played negotiating using condoms had significantly fewer sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during the 12 months after the intervention. The intervention also showed a significant reduction in reported use of alcohol and drugs during sexual activities. This is an important finding given data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Youth Risk Behavior survey regarding the correlation between alcohol and drug use and increased sexual risk behavior (CDC, 2002) These young women were seen in an inner-city adolescent clinic for low-income patients offering 24-hour on-call services that were both free and confidential. Although the study relied on self-report, this study demonstrates that teaching skills, as well as providing information (in three 250-minute sessions), is a useful strategy useful in this vulnerable population of young women ages 12 to 19 years. A similar randomized clinical trial with African American adolescent girls as study participants also supports skill-based interventions (DiClemente et al., 2004). Replication of these studies is recommended to confirm the generalizability of these findings. Kelly, Lesser, & Smoots (2005) have identified suggestions for age- and gender-specific prevention programs for adolescents 11-14 and 15-17. The conduct and dissemination of the findings of outcomes-focused research will further assist nurses caring for women and children in basing their clinical practice on evidence.
Comment by Lynn Clark Callister
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