Intervention Description
Intervention Package Information
Evaluation Study and Results
References and Contact Information

Intervention Description

Target Population
Heterosexually active African-American adolescent females seeking sexual health services

Goals of Intervention

• Reduce Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
• Increase condom use
• Increase communication with male partners about safer sex and STDs
• Increase male partners accessing STD services

Theoretic Basis

• Social Cognitive Theory
• Theory of Gender and Power

Intervention Duration
Two 4-hour group sessions on 2 consecutive Saturdays, followed by 4 (15-minute) telephone contacts approximately every 2.5 months over approximately 9 months

Intervention Settings
Public community clinic

Deliverer
African American women health educators

Delivery Methods

• Discussion
• Exercises
• Game
• Practice
• Printed material
• Role play
• Telephone reinforcement
• Vouchers for STD services

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Intervention Package Information

An intervention package is not available at this time. Please contact Dr. Ralph J. DiClemente, Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Room 554, Atlanta, GA 30322, email: rdiclem@sph.emory.edu for details on intervention materials.

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Evaluation Study and Results

The original evaluation was conducted in Atlanta, Georgia, between 2002 and 2006.

Key Intervention Effects

• Reduced chlamydial infection
• Increased condom use

Study Sample
The baseline study sample of 715 adolescent females is characterized by the following:

• 100% African American
• 100% Female
• Mean age of 18 years, range: 15-21 years
• 65% in school

Recruitment Settings
Waiting area of a public community clinic

Eligibility Criteria
Adolescent girls were eligible if they self-identified as African American, were 15-21 years of age, and reported vaginal intercourse in the past 60 days. Adolescents who were married, currently pregnant, or attempting to become pregnant were excluded from the study.

Assignment Method
Adolescent girls (N = 715) were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: HORIZONS intervention (n= 348) or Enhanced standard of care (n = 367).

Comparison Group
The Enhanced standard of care comparison was a 1-hour group session, facilitated by an African American woman health educator, comprising a culturally and gender-appropriate STD/HIV prevention video, a question-and-answer session, and a group discussion. Participants received telephone contacts every 2.5 months to update locator information, with no additional HIV/STD education or reinforcement.

Relevant Outcomes Measured and Follow-up Time

• Incident chlamydial infection was measured at 6 and 12 months after completion of the 2 group sessions; this translates to approximately 3 months after the second and fourth telephone reinforcement calls, respectively.
• Sex behaviors (including condom use during last sex; proportion of condom-protected sex acts during the last 14 and 60 days; and consistent condom use during the last 14 and 60 days) were measured at 6 and 12 months after completion of the 2 group sessions; this translates to approximately 3 months after the second and fourth telephone reinforcement calls, respectively.

Participant Retention

• HORIZONS intervention:

  86% retained at approximately 3 months after the second telephone reinforcement call
  83% retained at approximately 3 months after the fourth telephone reinforcement call

• Enhanced standard of care comparison:

  86% retained at approximately 3 months after the second telephone reinforcement call
  86% retained at approximately 3 months after the fourth telephone reinforcement call

Significant Findings

• Across the 2 follow-up time periods, there were significantly fewer new chlamydial infections (p = .039) and recurrent chlamydial infections (p = .023) among participants receiving the HORIZONS intervention than participants receiving the Enhanced standard of care.
• Across the 2 follow-up time periods, intervention participants were significantly more likely than comparison participants to report condom use at last sex (p = .005) and consistent condom use during the past 14 days (p = .04) and past 60 days (p = .01). Significant intervention effects were also found for these 3 condom use outcomes at the second follow-up (approximately 3 months after the fourth telephone reinforcement call; p = .01, p = .01, p = .007, respectively).
• Across the 2 follow-up time periods, intervention participants reported a significantly greater proportion of condom-protected sex acts during the past 14 days (p = .004) and past 60 days (p = .0001) than comparison participants. Significant intervention effects were also found for these 2 condom use outcomes at the second follow-up (approximately 3 months after the fourth telephone reinforcement call; p = .001, p = .002, respectively). The intervention effect on the proportion of condom-protected sex acts during the past 60 days was also significant at the first follow-up (approximately 3 months after the second telephone reinforcement call; p = .0001).

Considerations

• The HORIZON intervention also showed significant effects on reducing douching behavior and increasing communication with male sex partners about safer sex.

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References and Contact Information

• DiClemente, R. J., Wingood, G. M., Rose, E. S., Sales, J. M., Lang, D. L., et al. (in press).  Efficacy of STD/HIV sexual risk-reduction intervention for African American adolescent females seeking sexual health services: A randomized controlled trial.  Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

Researcher: Dr. Ralph J. DiClemente
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Health Education
Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University
1518 Clifton Road, NE, Room 554
Atlanta, GA 30322
email: rdiclem@sph.emory.edu

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