Preliminary efficacy of a comprehensive HIV prevention intervention for abstinent adolescent girls: pilot study findings

Res Nurs Health. 2009 Dec;32(6):569-81. doi: 10.1002/nur.20357.

Abstract

We developed and pilot-tested a comprehensive HIV prevention/sexual risk reduction intervention with 54 sexually abstinent girls and estimated the effect of the intervention on three antecedents of sexual risk behavior: information, motivation, and behavioral skills. Girls ages 14-18 were randomized into either (a) an AbsPlus intervention or (b) a structurally equivalent control group. Assessments were obtained at baseline and 3 months follow-up using audio computer assisted self-interview. The intervention resulted in a large effect for information (d = 1.11); small to large effects for the motivational measures (d = .34-.88), and a moderate effect for a measure of behavioral skills (d = .67). The results indicate that antecedents of sexual risk behavior change were improved by a gender-specific theoretically guided intervention.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Health Services / organization & administration*
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • HIV Infections / nursing*
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Motivation
  • Pilot Projects
  • Program Evaluation
  • Psychology, Adolescent
  • Risk-Taking*
  • Sexual Abstinence*