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.

Objective: To evaluate an intervention to reduce HIV/STD-associated behaviors and enhance psychosocial mediators for pregnant African-American adolescents.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial. Participants completed baseline and follow-up assessments. Methods: An urban public hospital in the Southeastern U.S. Methods: Pregnant African-American adolescents (N=170), 14-20 years of age, attending a prenatal clinic. Methods: 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. Methods: 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.