Friday, November 22, 2024
11/22/2024
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Unplanned pregnancies (pregnancies that are either mistimed or unwanted) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are important and costly public health problems in the United States resulting from unprotected sexual activity. Currently, 80% of teen pregnancies are unplanned and are the result of no or improper use of contraceptives.23,24 Teenage girls involved in the justice system are at increased risk for these problems given the high rates of substance abuse and commercial sex work in this population. Unplanned pregnancies can be prevented through highly effective (less than 2% annual failure rate with typical use) reversible contraceptive methods which are readily available through Title X clinics. The long-term objectives of this research are to develop effective treatments to reduce unplanned pregnancy and STIs for a highly under-served population in great need. This proposal will evaluate a Motivational Interviewing (MI) intervention designed to improve contraceptive use and decrease STIs for girls involved with the justice system for both those who do and do not want a pregnancy. Those interested in becoming pregnant will be counseled in the risks associated with teen pregnancy and what it means to have a healthy pregnancy and raise a child. We will utilize Title X programs in Rhode Island to provide reproductive health services in the community. Building upon program experience and prior evaluations, we have adapted Computer Assisted Motivational Interviewing (CAMI25), and plan to implement and evaluate CAMI for increasing the initiation and continuation of highly effective contraceptive methods among girls at risk for an unplanned pregnancy or STI. We will recruit 250 girls from juvenile probation and randomize them to two interventions: two sessions of personalized CAMI combined with one session of skill building or three sessions of Didactic Educational Counseling (DEC), both delivered individually by trained counselors. CAMI is based on the principles of the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) and on MI4,an empirically supported counseling technique designed to enhance readiness to change targeted behaviors. The DEC provides didactic information about contraception, STI prevention and abstinence, and is intended to control for the effects of assessment and attention. The proposal is consistent with the agency's mission to promote healthy and wanted pregnancy, reduce harmful reproductive processes, and support children in achieving healthy and productive lives.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
