The HCPHES Community
Health Program and its partners implemented a teen pregnancy
prevention program called B3 (Be Real, Be Safe, Be Cool). The
goals of the B3 program were to delay the onset of sexual
intercourse and decrease the number of teens having unprotected
sex. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
identified the Becoming a Responsible Teen (BART) curriculum
as a best-evidence intervention that lowered rates of sexual
activity and deterred the onset of sexual activity. It was chosen as
the primary curriculum for the B3 program.
A total of 371 youth completed
the B3 program in the Aldine and Alief communities (September 2005 -
August 2008). The majority of participants were female and African
American. More than half of the participants were enrolled in 6th
- 9th grades. There was a statistically significant
increase in HIV knowledge from pre-test to immediate post-test.
Although there were no statistically significant increases in
attitudes towards condom use, there were slight increases from
baseline to three and six months with "intent to talk with partners
about HIV" and "intent to use condoms". There was no change in
sexual behavior among B3 participants. This was seen as a positive
outcome because most studies find a rise in sexual behavior
with increases in age.
A coalition, teen advisory group, teen resource directory and print
campaign were developed. HIV screening services are now routinely
provided at four community centers as a direct result
of partnerships established by the program and teen access to
family planning services increased during the program period.
The B3 program would like to thank
all the B3 youth, parents, staff, partners, training sites and
others who made this program a success!
Teen Resource Directory
To request copies of the Teen Resource Directory or further
information, please call (713) 439-6253.
