RESUMO
Information technology provides new avenues to increase opportunities to deliver HIV/STI prevention interventions in a confidential, sensitive, and engaging manner for youth. While technology-based HIV/STI interventions show promise in preventing HIV/STI among different populations, few have targeted young Latinas. This pilot study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a bilingual, web-based HIV/STI prevention intervention among Latino females aged 15-19. We used a mix-method approach, including a prospective 2-group design with 3 repeated measures, and a post-intervention focus group discussion. We recruited 14 participants from an alternative high school and randomized into each study condition. Participants took 5 structurally equivalent modules focusing on either HIV/STI prevention (intervention) or nutrition/exercise (comparison) and completed assessments before the intervention, immediately post-intervention, and 2 months post-intervention. The findings suggested that the intervention had high levels of feasibility and acceptability. We discuss the keys to success, challenges encountered, and future directions.
RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: This study examined the ability of family cohesion, parental control, and parent-child attachment to prevent adolescents with a history of drug or alcohol use from experiencing subsequent problems related to their use. METHODS: Data came from Wave I and Wave II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and included Mexican heritage and White adolescents who reported alcohol use (n = 4894, 25% prevalence) or any other drug use (n = 2875, 14% prevalence) in their lifetime. RESULTS: Logistic regression results indicate greater parent-child attachment predicted lower risk of experiencing drug use problems (OR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.77-0.98) while stronger family cohesion predicted lower odds of experiencing drug- (OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.70-0.97) or alcohol-related (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.65-0.84) problems. Parental control was also negatively associated with odds of problems related to drug use (OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.86-0.99) or alcohol use (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.90-0.99). Results also indicated family cohesion was the only protective factor for Mexican heritage youth while family cohesion and parent-child attachment were protective among White youth. Parental control protected White female adolescents from drug use problems more than males. Mexican heritage male adolescents experienced more protection from drug problems compared to females. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight the need for prevention interventions to emphasize parent-child attachment for White youth and family cohesion for both Mexican-heritage and White youth to decrease adolescent substance users' drug- and alcohol-related problems.