Young Women's CoOp Study

This study completed an extensive formative phase to adapt the Women's CoOp intervention to specifically address the needs of young out-of-school adolescent African-American females with regard to knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV and sexuality, health consequences of substance abuse, relationships with males, condom communication and social support, and HIV risk-reduction and violence prevention methods. During this phase, in-depth interviews, focus groups, pretesting and pilot testing were conducted to adapt and refine the intervention for the clinical trial.

The aim of this trial is to:

• Evaluate the efficacy of the cultural-, age-, and gender-focused intervention (Young Women's CoOp) relative to an equal attention control nutrition intervention in terms of changes in behaviors (e.g., condom use, substance use, violence prevention).

At study enrollment/baseline, participants completed a questionnaire and baseline drug and pregnancy testing, and were randomized into one of two programs: Young Women's CoOp or Staying Healthy and Eating Well (Nutrition)-both which included 3 individual intervention sessions and 1 group activity. Follow-ups were conducted 3-months post-intervention and 6-months post-intervention and included a questionnaire and drug testing.

The study has since been completed and analysis and manuscript preparation is underway. Two abstracts have been accepted to American Public Health Association conferences in 2012 and 2013. The five papers in progress or published include:

• Efficacy of the Young Women's Coop - analysis complete, manuscript being drafted
• Summary of qualitative findings from interviews and focus groups - published September 2013
• Homelessness and abuse- in final preparation
• Correlates of gang affiliation - manuscript complete, CDC clearance obtained, under review.
• Post intervention social determinants - re-analyses and re-write

Inclusion criteria

• Female
• Black/African-American
• 16-19 years of age
• Have dropped out of school at least once or are having problems that they have considered dropping out of school, and have not yet completed high school or GED program
• Have not graduated from a high school or alternative school, or completed a General Education Development (GED) program
• Have had vaginal sex at least once in the past 90 days with a male partner
• Have used one of the following at least once in the past 90 days--alcohol, marijuana, cocaine/crack, heroin, ecstasy, methamphetamine, any prescription drugs not prescribed to them, or any other illicit substance.
• Will be in the area for the next 8 months
• Has not participated in previous formative activities of the study (e.g., interviews, focus groups, pretesting and pilot testing),

Exclusion criteria

• Not interested in coming to a health behavior study
• Not able to attend 4 sessions and 2 follow ups