Project C.O.P.E Sexual Health Intervention on Sexual Negotiations Skills among Black and Hispanic Adolescents in an Under-resourced Northeastern Urban Community

Author

Irene N. CantuFollow

Publication Date

Spring 2021

Abstract

Decades of sexual health interventions have focused on the disparities youth of color face; however, inequalities in health outcomes and resources remain. This study evaluated Project C.O.P.E. (Communities Organizing for Prevention and Empowerment), a sexual health intervention in an under-resourced northeastern urban community. The goal of the study was to determine if the intervention, personal domains (ethnic identity and family support), or sexual health domains (Viral Hepatitis [VH] knowledge and human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] knowledge) had an impact on sexual negotiation skills in Black and Hispanic adolescent participants (n =510; M_age =16.78 ± 1.14). Between group analyses found significant differences among sociodemographic characteristics and pre and post-test sexual negotiation skills scores. Significant pre and post-test differences were identified for sexual negotiation skills (t [983] = -3.75, p <.001), HIV knowledge (t [983] = -9.59, p <.001), and VH knowledge (t [983] = -11.03, p <.001). Multiple analysis of variance (MANOVA) results indicated differences between mean level sexual negotiation skills pre and post-test scores and HIV knowledge accuracy (F[1]= 13075.29, p<.01) and VH knowledge accuracy (F[1]= 5950.20, p<.01). Last, Multivariate linear regression analyses found that change in HIV knowledge (B =.15(.04), 95% CI = .01, .17, p = .001) and pre-test ethnic identity (B = .09(.02), 95% CI = .01, .17, p < .001), were associated with sexual negotiation scores (post-test minus pre-test score) when controlling for covariates and baseline scores. Our results lend support for the current shift to strengths-based and empowerment perspectives, in sexual health interventions focusing on Black and Hispanic adolescent assets, for improved sexual health behaviors potentially through sexual negotiation skill development.

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Family Studies

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Individual, Family, and Community Education

First Committee Member (Chair)

Dr. David Lardier

Second Committee Member

Dr. Cara Streit

Third Committee Member

Dr. Ryan Kelly

Recommended Citation

Cantu, Irene N.. "Project C.O.P.E Sexual Health Intervention on Sexual Negotiations Skills among Black and Hispanic Adolescents in an Under-resourced Northeastern Urban Community." (2021). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/educ_ifce_etds/121