Overview:

Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Orleans Teen Pregnancy Prevention Project (OTPPP) is a collaborative project facilitated by Louisiana Public Health Institute to prevent teen pregnancy, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) through the implementation of two evidence-based curricula. 

The state of Louisiana currently has the 18^th highest teen pregnancy rate and ranks 13^th for teen birth rates in the nation.  In New Orleans specifically, research has shown that youth are twice as likely than the national average to have sex before the age of 13. OTPPP seeks to address the gaps in prevention and sex education that exist in Orleans Parish.

Goal:

The goal of the project is to reduce the incidence of and behavioral risk factors for teen pregnancy among Orleans Parish youth, ages 14-19, by implementing and evaluating two teen pregnancy prevention evidence-based interventions (EBIs) – Becoming a Responsible Teen (BART) and Safer Sex Intervention (SSI) in multiple sites throughout Orleans Parish. 

Objectives:

• Implement BART and SSI interventions
• Reach an estimated 1,000 youth with the interventions
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the interventions

Curriculum Overview:

Becoming a Responsible Teen (BART)

BART is designed to give teens skills to delay sexual involvement and reduce exposure to HIV. The program serves African-American New Orleans youth ages 14-18.  The curriculum consists of eight sessions and includes interactive role play.  Teens are encouraged to practice the skills learned during the program outside of the group and share results.  Although the focus of BART is HIV/AIDS prevention, the curriculum includes topics and activities relevant to pregnancy prevention, and stresses abstinence as the most effective behavior.  Teens learn to clarify their own values about sexual decisions, as well as practice skills to reduce the risk of pregnancy. 

 Other topics include:

• Assertive communication
• Refusal techniques
• Self-management
• Contraception
• Problem solving
• Abstinence as the best way to prevent HIV infection and pregnancy

Safer Sex Intervention (SSI)

SSI is an individualized STI prevention intervention aimed at sexually active young women, ages 14-19. The overall goals are to reduce high-risk sexual behaviors, increase condom use and prevent the recurrence of STIs among sexually active young women. SSI is designed for delivery at the time of STI diagnosis/treatment, when the participant is most likely to be contemplating her diagnosis relative to her sexual risk behaviors, and will be offered to young women in Orleans Parish who are sexually active. The intervention is administered one-on-one and face-to-face using one of two discrete 30- to 50-minute sessions. The health educator determines which version to use with each participant based on the participant’s self-identified stage of behavior change using the Wheel of Change exercise. 

Collaborative Partners:

Many partners have come together to implement the program for the benefit of the youth in our community.  This collaboration of groups across the parish brings expertise together toward one common goal. Participating partners include:

• The Policy and Research Group
• Institute of  Women & Ethnic Studies
• City of New Orleans/ Healthy Start Program
• LSU – Kids First Tiger Care Clinic
• Tulane Adolescent  Drop-In Clinic
• Goodwill Industries/ JOB1 Program
• Communities In Schools of Greater New Orleans, Inc
• The Beautiful Foundation
• Nikki’s Foundation, Inc

For more information contact:

Marsha Broussard, DrPH, MPH
Project Director and Principal Investigator
Orleans Parish Pregnancy Prevention Project
mbroussard@lphi.org
(504) 301-9851

Jenny Dickherber MSW, MPH
Program Manaager, OTPPP
Orleans Parish Pregnancy Prevention Project
jdickherber@lphi.org
(504) 872-0790