A clinic-based, youth development approach to teen pregnancy prevention

Abstract

Objective: To provide a description of Prime Time, an intervention to reduce pregnancy risk behaviors among high-risk adolescent girls.

Methods: Prime Time, a clinic-based, multicomponent youth development intervention aims to reduce sexual risk behaviors, violence involvement, and school disconnection.

Results: We highlight key considerations in conceptualization, design, and methods for a Prime Time randomized trial.

Conclusions: Prime Time comes at a time of great interest in restructuring adolescent health services. This study represents an important effort to expand preventive and youth development services among young people most vulnerable to early pregnancy, for whom services must go beyond traditional problem-oriented approaches.