Sunday, May 11, 2025
5/11/2025
Rigorous Evaluation of Talking Matters: A Teen Pregnancy Prevention and Optimal Health Program for Black and African American Adolescents - Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC) proposes to conduct a randomized control trial (RCT) of Talking Matters, a promising, innovative program for 14-19-year old Black adolescents recruited from school- and community-based settings in Philadelphia. Grounded in behavioral change theories and Motivational Interviewing, Talking Matters aims to 1) reduce adolescents’ teen pregnancy and STI/HIV risk and 2) strengthen protective factors to improve optimal health. The two prongs of Talking Matters include (1) We Get to Choose (WGTC), an adolescent-focused five-session, group-level intervention and (2) Let’s Talk Real Talk (LTRT), an adult-focused three-session, group-level intervention. In addition, WGTC participants build connections and comfort communicating with trusted adults about sexual and reproductive health (SRH) during a facilitated group session with LTRT adult participants. Talking Matters will be implemented by PHMC’s Philadelphia Area Sexual Health Initiative and supported by Youth and Community Advisory Boards. The project team builds on extensive experience conducting rigorous evaluations of TPP and HIV interventions. The proposed RCT will enroll 432 adolescents (216 intervention group and 216 business-as-usual control group participants). All adolescent participants complete baseline, and 3- and 6-months post-baseline surveys. Intervention group participants complete post-tests after the fifth session. Primary research questions assess changes in sexual risk behaviors and comfort communicating with trusted adults about SRH. Secondary research questions assess changes in knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and self-efficacy for healthy decision-making and risk reduction behaviors. Power analysis indicates .8 power to detect a moderate effect of .25MDES. Findings will be disseminated through community meetings, national conferences, and publications.
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).