JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Youth exposed to household challenges (i.e., parental substance use, incarceration, and mental illness) are among the groups most vulnerable to sexual risk-taking in adolescence. To address the needs of this group, this pilot study assessed the feasibility of participant recruitment and retention, participant engagement, and the initial efficacy of an adapted version of Focus on Youth with Informed Parents and Children Together (FOY+ImPACT) for Black youth exposed to household challenges. Participants were recruited using school and community presentations, digital flyers, and referrals. Participants completed three assessments: baseline, post-test and 3-month follow-up. Sixty-one youth (ages 13-16) were recruited and randomized to either the intervention or the control condition (n = 33 and 28, respectively). Eighty-six percent of participants completed all three assessments. There was high engagement, with 80% of the sample (N = 49) attending at least three sessions and 75% stating they would recommend sessions to a friend. Among those who reported having any type of sex, 100% abstained from alcohol use, and 67% abstained from drug use before sex. The intervention group significantly increased their sexual health knowledge. No changes in sexual health behaviors or partner communication were observed. Findings suggest that the FOY+ImPACT adaptation merits further study.