Age range

Website: www.childrensaidsociety.org/locations_

services/healthservices/teenpregnancy

Mission/Goals: The Children's Aid Society's (CAS) Adolescent Sexuality and Pregnancy Prevention Program was launched in 1984 at one of our community centers in Harlem. The program uses a holistic approach that aims to empower youth, help them develop a desire for a productive future, and aid young people in improving their sexual literacy and their understanding of the consequences of sexual activity.

Sources: www.guidestar.org; www.childrensaidsociety.org

Type of Evaluation: Experimental

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine if the program was successful in reducing adolescent pregnancy.

Impact/Outcome Findings: Gains in knowledge were significantly greater among program participants than among control group members. Females in the program were significantly more likely than those in the control group to say they had chosen not to have sex when pressured. Program women were significantly less likely than control group women to have ever had intercourse; and sexually experienced program females were significantly more likely than control group young women to have used a condom with a highly effective method at last intercourse. At the third-year follow-up, females in the program group had significantly lower rates of pregnancies and births than control group females. While male participants in the program also had significantly higher gains in knowledge than controls, the other positive sexual and reproductive outcomes found among women were not evident among men. Program participants of both genders were significantly more likely than control group participants to report five, or four of the five, desirable health care outcomes.

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