Evaluation of an HIV/STD Sexual Risk-Reduction Intervention for Pregnant African American Adolescents Attending a Prenatal Clinic in an Urban Public Hospital: Preliminary Evidence of Efficacy

Study Objective: To evaluate an intervention to reduce HIV/STD-associated behaviors and enhance psychosocial mediators for pregnant African-American adolescents. Design: A randomized controlled trial. Participants completed baseline and follow-up assessments. Setting: An urban public hospital in the Southeastern U.S. Participants: Pregnant African-American adolescents (N = 170), 14-20 years of age, attending a prenatal clinic. Intervention: Intervention participants received two 4-hr group sessions enhancing self-concept and self-worth, HIV/STD prevention skills, and safer sex practices. Participants in the comparison condition received a 2-hr session on healthy nutrition. Main Outcome Measures: Consistent condom use. Results: Intervention participants reported greater condom use at last intercourse (adjusted odds ratio = 3.9, P = 0.05) and consistent condom use (AOR = 7.9, P = 0.05), higher sexual communication frequency, enhanced ethnic pride, higher self-efficacy to refuse risky sex, and were less likely to fear abandonment as a result of negotiating safer sex. Conclusions: Interventions for pregnant African-American adolescents can enhance condom use and psychosocial mediators.