Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Clinical Trial
. 1999 Feb;89(2):176-81.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.89.2.176.

The effectiveness of the Reach for Health Community Youth Service learning program in reducing early and unprotected sex among urban middle school students

L O'Donnell  1 , A Stueve, A San Doval, R Duran, D Haber, R Atnafou, N Johnson, U Grant, H Murray, G Juhn, J Tang, P Piessens
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

The effectiveness of the Reach for Health Community Youth Service learning program in reducing early and unprotected sex among urban middle school students

L O'Donnell et al. Am J Public Health. 1999 Feb.

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluated the effectiveness of a community youth service (CYS) program in reducing sexual risk behaviors among African American and Latino urban young adolescents.

Methods: A total of 1061 students at 2 urban middle schools were surveyed at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Students at one school were randomly assigned by classroom to receive either the Reach for Health CYS program or the Reach for Health classroom curriculum only. Students at the other school served as controls.

Results: At follow-up. CYS participants reported significantly less recent sexual activity (P < .05) and scored lower on a sexual activity index than those in the control condition (P < .03). The greatest effect was among eighth graders, who received the most intensive service program (P < .03). The benefit of the curriculum-only intervention appeared greatest among students in special education classes.

Conclusions: Well-organized CYS that couples community involvement with classroom health instruction can have a positive impact on the sexual behaviors of young adolescents at risk for HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancy. This study also suggests the importance of including students in special education classes in health education programs.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Health Educ Res. 1992 Sep;7(3):403-30 - PubMed
    1. Fam Plann Perspect. 1991 Nov-Dec;23(6):253-63 - PubMed
    1. Psychol Bull. 1987 Sep;102(2):187-203 - PubMed
    1. Adolescence. 1986 Fall;21(83):675-87 - PubMed
    1. J Sch Health. 1985 Oct;55(8):316-21 - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms