Partners in Action for Teen Health (Lead Peace - Plus)

University of Minnesota: Healthy Youth Development Research and Training Center

Topics:
Healthy Youth |
HIV/AIDS & STD Prevention | School Health | Violence Prevention

Center researchers, county social service staff, and urban school administrators are collaborating on this 2-year project to prevent substance abuse and violence, promote safe sexual behavior, and improve school attendance and achievement among minority students in Minnesota’s low-income, inner-city neighborhoods. The project is testing the effects on student behavior of an intervention that combines health education, parental involvement, and community service.

Several teachers and peer leaders are being trained to deliver 20 health education lessons developed by the center’s staff and community committee. Project participants, about 180 predominantly African American 7th and 8th grade students, are assigned to one of three groups: a comparison group that receives the standard public school health curriculum, a core group that receives the intervention classes and participates in parent-student activities, and an enhanced group that in addition to receiving the core group intervention, takes part in community service projects. The service component includes adult-led discussions about decision-making, problem solving, teamwork, and other skills related to their community service experiences. Students from the core and enhanced groups also host family fun nights and complete health homework assignments with their parents.

Participants will complete surveys before the intervention and annually through 8th grade. Researchers will analyze the data to examine teenagers’ attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors related to teenage violence, pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, school grades, and school attendance. Differences among the 3 participating groups will be compared. In addition to creating and testing interventions, researchers are expecting the project to increase the schools’ and communities’ capacity to conduct health education programs for youth.

 

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