FOCUS
OVERVIEW
The FOCUS program is a cognitive-behavioral intervention designed to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies among young women. In a random assignment study, female Marine platoons assigned to receive the FOCUS curriculum were compared with platoons assigned to a control intervention. During a one-year follow-up period, young women assigned to the FOCUS group were significantly less likely than members of the control group to have an unintended pregnancy or to acquire a sexually transmitted infection. Members of the FOCUS group were not significantly more likely to be consistent condom users, however. The program was particularly successful with young women who were sexually inexperienced at baseline. Within this sub-group, members of the FOCUS group were less likely to have multiple sexual partners and had fewer casual partners.
DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM
Target population: young women (ages 17+)
The eight-hour FOCUS curriculum consists of four modules that provide participants with information on STIs and unintended pregnancy, motivate participants to avoid these outcomes, and equip participants with the behavioral skills necessary to engage in preventive behaviors. Communication skills and condom use skills are emphasized.
EVALUATION(S) OF PROGRAM
Boyer, C.B., Shafer, M., Shaffer, R.A., Brodine, S.K., Pollack, L.M., Betsinger, K., Chang, Y.J., Kraft, H.S., & Schachter, J. (2005). Evaluation of a cognitive-behavioral, group, randomized controlled intervention trial to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies in young women. Preventive Medicine, 40, 420-431.
Evaluated population: 2,157 female Marine recruits
served as the study sample for this investigation. Recruits were at least
17 years old. 56% were white; 20% were
Approach: Subjects were randomly assigned, by platoon, to either the treatment group or the control group. Platoons assigned to the treatment group took part in the FOCUS program. Platoons assigned to the control group took part in an eight-hour intervention to prevent physical training injuries and cancer. Each intervention session was facilitated by two trained civilian research assistants. FOCUS was delivered to groups of 20-25 women at a time. The control intervention was delivered to full platoons (50-75 women).
Subjects completed a baseline questionnaire and were screened for STIs before the interventions began. Subjects completed follow-up questionnaires and were re-screened one month after completing recruit training and again, approximately one year later.
Results: The proportion of women who had an unintended pregnancy or acquired an STI during the follow-up period was higher in the control group than in the FOCUS group. This difference was not significant for either outcome by itself; however, when STIs and unintended pregnancies were combined into a single outcome variable, the difference was statistically significant (odds ratio = 1.41).
During the follow-up period, there was no significant difference between the FOCUS group and the control group on consistency of condom use. Further, there was no significant difference between groups on number of sexual partners or number of casual partners among subjects who were sexually experienced at baseline. Among subjects who were sexually inexperienced at baseline, however, members of the FOCUS group had significantly fewer sexual partners and fewer casual partners than did members of the control group.
(Analyses took into account the fact that randomization occurred at the group level.)
SOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION
Further information and curriculum materials available at:
http://www.socio.com/srch/summary/pasha/full/passt22.htm
References:
Boyer, C.B., Shafer, M., Shaffer, R.A., Brodine, S.K., Pollack, L.M., Betsinger, K., Chang, Y.J., Kraft, H.S., & Schachter, J. (2005). Evaluation of a cognitive-behavioral, group, randomized controlled intervention trial to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies in young women. Preventive Medicine, 40, 420-431.
Program categorized in this guide according to the following:
Evaluated participant ages: 17+
Program age ranges in the guide: Youth, Young Adults
Program components: Miscellaneous
Measured outcomes: Reproductive Health
KEYWORDS: Gender Specific (Females Only), Reproductive Health, Teen Pregnancy, STD/STI/HIV, Risky Sex, Skills Training, Young Adults, Youth, Young Adulthood (17-24), White or Caucasian, Black or African American, Asian American, Native American or American Indian, Contraception.
Program information last updated on 12/20/07.
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© Child Trends 2004 |
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