EmpowHer Program for Teen Pregnancy Prevention

Overseen By Celia Thomas, DHA

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Alternatives For Girls

Disqualifiers: Receiving AFG services, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

552 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores a program called EmpowHer, which aims to help young people aged 10-15 develop important life skills, such as communicating with parents and building healthy relationships. The goal is to assess how well this program prepares teens for adulthood and reduces teen pregnancy rates. It targets youth living in Detroit and nearby areas who are not currently using other services from Alternatives For Girls. Participants will engage in activities and lessons focused on abstinence and life skills. This trial offers teens a chance to learn and grow in a supportive environment. As an unphased trial, it provides a unique opportunity for participants to contribute to valuable research while gaining essential skills for their future.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether participants need to stop taking their current medications.

What prior data suggests that the EmpowHer Program is safe for youth?

Research shows that the EmpowHer program provides a safe and supportive space for young participants. It employs a trauma-informed approach, carefully avoiding stress or discomfort. Each year, the program has served over 1,000 girls, focusing on healthy relationships and life skills. This widespread use suggests it is well-received and free of negative side effects.

The program covers important topics like communication and healthy living, aiding teens in making informed choices. No reports of negative events have been linked to this program. This evidence supports the program's safety, making it a good option for those interested in joining. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike traditional teen pregnancy prevention programs that often focus solely on abstinence or contraception, the EmpowHer Program takes a comprehensive approach by incorporating both abstinence education and adulthood preparation topics. This holistic curriculum aims to empower teens with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed decisions about their futures, addressing not just immediate pregnancy prevention but also long-term life planning. Researchers are excited about EmpowHer because it could provide a more effective and well-rounded strategy for reducing teen pregnancies, potentially leading to better outcomes for adolescents.

What evidence suggests that the EmpowHer Program is effective for teen pregnancy prevention?

Research has shown that programs like EmpowHer, which participants in this trial will experience, can positively affect teen behavior. One study found that about nine months after completing similar programs, teen mothers were much less likely to face certain negative outcomes compared to those who did not participate. These programs also help teens practice safer sex. While not all programs prevent additional pregnancies, they often improve communication skills and encourage healthier relationships. Thus, joining EmpowHer might help teens make better choices and reduce risky behaviors. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

The EmpowHer trial is for pre-and early middle school girls aged 10-15, specifically targeting minority/high-risk African American and Latina girls. It's designed to be an after-school program focusing on preventing teen pregnancy through education.

Inclusion Criteria

Residing in Detroit or Out Wayne County at the time of enrollment

I am a girl in 6th to 8th grade and between 10-15 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Siblings of enrolled participants will not be eligible to participate in the study to prevent possible contamination between conditions

Participants who are currently utilizing other services from Alternatives For Girls (AFG) will not be eligible to participate

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants engage in the EmpowHer curriculum, addressing sexual activity, abstinence, and adulthood preparation topics

20 hours

After-school sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in sexual activity and abstinence rates

9 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• EmpowHer

Trial Overview EmpowHer tests a curriculum that promotes celibacy by teaching about sexual activity, abstinence, and adulthood preparation topics like communication with parents, healthy relationships, adolescent development, and life skills.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: EmpowHer Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The intervention curriculum is designed to address abstinence, and adulthood preparation topics.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Alternatives For Girls

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2

Recruited

1,100+

Published Research Related to This Trial

A systematic review of 120 studies on clinic-based repeat teen pregnancy prevention programs found that only five specifically focused on this issue, highlighting a significant gap in research.

While some programs showed positive effects on reducing repeat teen pregnancies, many did not, suggesting that improving access to immediate postpartum contraception and home visiting services could be effective strategies for supporting teen mothers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinic-Based Programs to Prevent Repeat Teen Pregnancy: A Systematic Review. Frederiksen, BN., Rivera, MI., Ahrens, KA., et al.[2023]

The mentoring program for unmarried primiparous teens did not significantly reduce the rates of repeat pregnancy, with 66% of mentored teens and 68.8% of control teens experiencing a repeat pregnancy by 33 months.

Despite the lack of impact on repeat pregnancy rates, both mentored and control teens showed progress in their education, with 50% graduating or advancing two grades within 24 months.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lessons learned from a mentoring program for teenage mothers. Havens, KK., Wagstaff, DA., Mercer, PA., et al.[2006]

All five reviewed adolescent pregnancy prevention programs effectively emphasized abstinence, decision-making skills, and education on sexuality and contraception, with four providing access to contraceptive services.

Programs targeting younger adolescents were particularly successful, reducing sexual initiation by up to 15 percentage points and increasing contraceptive use by as much as 22 percentage points, with the most effective programs also significantly decreasing pregnancy rates.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Understanding the impact of effective teenage pregnancy prevention programs. Frost, JJ., Forrest, JD.[2022]

The UT Teen Health initiative successfully educated community stakeholders and mobilized support for evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention interventions, taking an average of 13.5 months to implement these programs in local schools.

From 2011 to 2015, over 12,500 youth aged 11 to 19 benefited from these interventions, primarily through partnerships with 16 schools, highlighting the effectiveness of school-based programs in reaching large numbers of adolescents.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stakeholder Education and Community Mobilization Garner Support for Sex Education. Plastino, K., Quinlan, J., Todd, J., et al.[2021]

The school-based program effectively combines parent education with creative physical activities to help adolescent mothers develop positive parenting behaviors while they continue their education.

The program's content, which includes parenting information and fitness strategies, can be adapted for use in various community and clinical settings, making it a versatile resource for supporting young mothers.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Moving into Parenthood: a program for new adolescent mothers combining parent education with creative physical activity. Sadler, LS., Cowlin, A.[2019]

The Johns Hopkins Adolescent Pregnancy Program provided comprehensive care, resulting in fewer pregnancy complications and lower perinatal mortality rates for adolescents compared to similar young women receiving care elsewhere.

Adolescents in the program had significantly lower rates of low birth weight (9.9% for those below 2500 g) compared to controls (16.4%), indicating the program's effectiveness in improving pregnancy outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Johns Hopkins Adolescent Pregnancy Program: an evaluation. Hardy, JB., King, TM., Repke, JT.[2009]

A case-controlled study showed that the Teen-age Parent Center positively influenced pregnancy outcomes, leading to lower rates of low birth weight and improved high school graduation rates among teen parents.

The program also contributed to reduced smoking during pregnancy and increased access to prenatal care, demonstrating that comprehensive, school-based interventions can enhance perinatal health for teenage parents.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Perinatal outcomes in a school-based program for pregnant teen-agers. Hall, RT., Santos, SR., Cofield, F., et al.[2019]

A pilot educational program on human sexuality for junior high students in St. Paul significantly increased students' knowledge about sexuality, as shown by pre- and posttest scores.

The program maintained consistent student interest throughout its duration, indicating its effectiveness in engaging adolescents on important topics related to sexual health and prevention of adolescent pregnancy.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Teaching human sexuality in junior high school: an interdisciplinary approach. Kapp, L., Taylor, BA., Edwards, LE.[2019]

School-based health clinics play a crucial role in supporting pregnant and parenting teens, which can help mitigate negative pregnancy outcomes such as low birth weight and developmental delays.

Providing educational support, counseling, and community resources through these clinics is essential for improving the overall well-being and academic performance of teenage parents.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of school-based health clinics on teenage pregnancy and parenting outcomes: an integrated literature review. Strunk, JA.[2019]

Citations

1. opa.hhs.gov opa.hhs.gov/research-evaluation/teen-pregnancy-prevention-program-evaluations/summary-programs-effective-changing-behavior

Summary of Evaluated Programs Effective at Changing Behavior The study found that about nine months after the end of the program, teen mothers participating in the intervention were significantly less likely than those ...

2. congress.gov congress.gov/crs-product/R45183

Adolescent Pregnancy: Federal Prevention Programs This report assists Congress in tracking developments in four currently funded adolescent pregnancy prevention programs.

3. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/380037038_The_effectiveness_of_a_teenage_pregnancy_prevention_program_that_offers_special_benefits_for_pregnant_and_parenting_teens

The effectiveness of a teenage pregnancy prevention ... The program was successful in encouraging participants to practice safer sex, but was unsuccessful in preventing additional pregnancies out of wedlock or ...

4. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK219222/

THE EFFECTS OF PROGRAMS AND POLICIES ON ... - NCBI This chapter will explore the effects of a variety of programs and policies on teen sexual activity, contraceptive use, pregnancy and birth.

5. acf.gov acf.gov/archive/fysb/report/hhs-evidence-review-fourth-update-two-fysb-funded-teen-pregnancy-prevention

HHS Evidence Review Fourth Update: Two FYSB-Funded ... Two programs, AIM 4 Teen Moms and Teen Options to Prevent Pregnancy, showed positive impacts, including less unprotected sex and increased ...

6. empow-her.com empow-her.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/EMPOWHER-RAPPORT-ACTIVITE-2022-EN-V2.2.pdf

Business Report 2022 It leads to them to drop out of school, increases teenage pregnancy and exposes them to violence. In such circumstances, it is difficult to ...

7. empowher.org empowher.org/our-programs/

Our Programs EmpowHer Institute supports more than 1,000 girls, ages 11 to 18, each year from economically insecure communities. Our programs deliver a trauma-informed, ...

8. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/373581196_Updated_Findings_from_the_HHS_Teen_Pregnancy_Prevention_Evidence_Review_October_2016-May2022

(PDF) Updated Findings from the HHS Teen Pregnancy ... (PDF) Updated Findings from the HHS Teen Pregnancy Prevention Evidence Review: October 2016-May2022.

9. opa.hhs.gov opa.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/2021-11/opa-eval-tier-2b-programs-oct-2021.pdf

Innovative, Evidence-Based Teen Pregnancy Prevention ... The curriculum covers the following topics: the reproductive system, pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity, healthy relationships, coercion and ...

10. healthyteensok.org healthyteensok.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Teen-emPower-Fact-Sheet-Final.pdf

Teen emPower Fact Sheet Over the five-year Teen Pregnancy. Prevention project, 57 high school students were trained to serve as SHAPE. Peer Educators, becoming role models, leaders, ...