Youth Development Strategy for Preventing Teen Pregnancy

University of Minnesota: National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Research Center

Topics:
Healthy Youth

Prime Time, a program developed to reduce pregnancy and sexual risk-taking among girls aged 13 to 17 years, is being tested at three youth-serving community clinics in Minnesota. Youth workers develop individualized programs with each girl, her parents, and other people in her support network. One-on-one sessions are conducted to promote family and school involvement, address the girls’ mental health needs, and promote responsible decision-making about sexual activity. Girls in the program are also trained as peer health educators and are paid for sharing information they learn about preventing negative sexual health outcomes. The girls also participate in peer leadership groups to develop skills to use in volunteer service, which fosters a commitment to community involvement. At the 18-month follow-up point, the researchers found some positive behavioral and psychosocial effects among girls who were highly involved (had more than two contacts with youth workers per month). The researchers have since developed a teen pregnancy and parenting plan for the state of Minnesota and are seeking funds for full-scale implementation and evaluation of Prime Time in school- and community-based clinics serving youths.

 

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