Addressing the Sexual Health of Delaware Teens through Evidence-based and Promising Education

OBJECTIVE: Readers will be able to identify the impact of the Alliance for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (AAPP) in improving knowledge and attitudes regarding risky sexual health behaviors. METHODS: Three AAPP, Be Proud! Be Responsible!(BPBR), Making Proud Choices! (MPC) and Wise Guys: Male Responsibility (Wise Guys), are assessed using 3 similar pre- and post-surveys which are designed specifically for these curricula. These surveys measure changes in knowledge and attitudes toward sexual health and risky behaviors at baseline and completion of the course. RESULTS: In Delaware, adolescents who completed any of the three AAPP programs have shown an increase in knowledge around condom usage; an increase in awareness of the factors around safe sexual health practices and healthy relationships; and, a positive change in attitude around communication – both with a partner and their parent(s)/guardian(s). Post-survey scores improved for BPBR, MPC and Wise Guys by 8%, 18% and 8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Reproductive health education is essential for teenagers, giving them the tools to make safer choices if they choose to have sex (Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, n.d.). In Delaware, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) indicates that teens continue to take risks with their sexual health. Programs like AAPP have the capacity to continue to make a positive impact on reducing the risk of STI and HIV transmission, along with potentially lowering the number of teens who become pregnant.