The success of a teen pregnancy prevention pilot program

1. The success of a teen pregnancy prevention pilot program Kimberly Massey, MSW

2. TPP Pilot- Tuscaloosa, AL • Abstinence program appropriate for 8th-10th grade students • Taught to 4,000+ students from 1997-2002. • Used a customized curriculum to teach about choices, STDs, and abstinence and used “infant simulators” for “real life” experience. • Class implemented in “home economics”, science, and PE classes. Average length of program was two weeks (10 Class Hours).

3. TPP Pilot- Students’ View • Anonymous, Confidential Pre and Post Test Surveys • Students indicated an increase in knowledge about risky behaviors and STDs. • Students indicated a desire to choose abstinence for their lifestyle. • Improvements across all ages, genders and races.

4. TPP Pilot- Students’ View • Largest improvement in ANY category on ANY indicator was for 8th grade males to make a decision to choose abstinence (over 40% increase) from pre to post. • This group was also one of the groups least likely to indicate an interest in abstinence on pretests.

5. TPP Pilot- A Success Story? • The teen birth rate in Tuscaloosa dropped from 32.9 to 21.8 between 1997 and 2003*. • This is a 33.7% reduction in teen births in five years, with a steady decrease over this time. • In actual birth reductions, this represents 162 births to teens in 1997, dropping to 82 births in 2003**. *Statistics are representative of births to teens 19 and under. **Statistics are representative of births to teens under 18.

6. Birth Rates Up Before and After TPP Pilot

7. TPP Pilot- The Rest of the Story • Since a comparison group was not used, we cannot guarantee that the pilot caused the changes, however: • When the pilot was removed from schools, teen pregnancy rates immediately began to rise. • By 2008, the rate had increased to 24.7, up from 21.8.

8. Similar County Comparisons Percent Change Among Counties With 100,000+ Populations Tuscaloosa had highest percent change among similar sized counties in Alabama: Births to Teens from 2007 to 2003.

9. Other Statistical Facts • Only two counties in Alabama had a consistent reduction in teen births every year between 1997 and 2003: • Tuscaloosa County had 53% overall improvement. • Jefferson County had 42% overall improvement. • Tuscaloosa Co. had a consistent decrease over time & across races, unlike other all other counties studied. • The percent change was larger even than Montgomery Co., home of the Alabama Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.

10. Births to Teens, by Race, Tuscaloosa TPP Began TPP Ended Effectiveacross race, socio-economic status.

11. Future Interests

12. Goal: Research Curriculum Effectiveness • Comparison Groups • With/Without Infant Simulators • Test Curriculum • Test Instructor Training

13. Goal: Program Update • Add Internet and Cell Phone Safety • Review STD and Birth Control info for accuracy • Review Program for Relevancy • Review/Add Visual Appeal • Add Booster Program for 10th grade students-1 day session.

14. Future Plan: Sustainability • Depends on Research Results • Plan Already in Development • Marketing of Curriculum • Train the Trainers • Other Concepts

15. For More Information For more information or to discuss partnership opportunities: • Thrive South Consulting and Communications Kimberly Massey, MSW • 601-955-6602 • www.thrivesouth.com