This Week You Will Add To The Work You Have Done In Weeks 1

This Week You Will Add To The Work You Have Done Inweeks 1 And 2on You

This week, you will add to the work you have done in Weeks 1 and 2 on your final project. You will combine the work from the previous weeks with this part and submit it for grading. Phase 3 of the PRECEDE-PROCEED model is the education and ecological assessment. After the key risk factors have been identified, they are classified into three categories: predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors. Approaches to these factors may vary depending on the setting, so it is important to take both the factors and the setting into account in the program planning process.

In Week 1, you selected and analyzed a health issue, explaining the populations or groups most affected by it. In Week 2, you examined the behavioral and environmental risk factors related to your selected health issue. This week, based on your analysis in Week 2, select one or two behavioral risk factors as the focus for the final project.

Complete the following:

Identify one or two behavioral risk factors related to your selected health issue, which is unprotected sexual intercourse among teens. Justify your choices using scholarly references.

Identify the predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors for each selected behavioral risk factor. Describe at least two examples of each factor as they relate to the behavior.

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of two different settings that can be used to address the health behavior in the targeted population. Support your statements with scholarly references and appropriate examples.

Collate your work on Phase 1 (Week 1) and Phase 2 (Week 2) together with Phase 3 and submit the comprehensive paper.

Paper For Above instruction

Unprotected sexual intercourse among teens remains a significant public health concern, contributing to the prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), unintended pregnancies, and associated health risks. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive understanding of the behavioral risks involved and the ecological factors influencing teen sexual behaviors. This paper integrates previous analyses of the issue and explores targeted behavioral risk factors, along with categorizing the associated predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model. It further discusses suitable intervention settings tailored for adolescents to promote safe sexual practices.

Identification of Behavioral Risk Factors

The primary behavioral risk factor selected for this analysis is unprotected sexual intercourse among adolescents. This behavior directly increases the risks of STIs and unintended pregnancies (Guttmacher Institute, 2020). A secondary risk factor involves inconsistent condom use, which may stem from a lack of knowledge, perceived invulnerability, or social influences (Extremera et al., 2018). Justification for focusing on unprotected sex among teens is supported by extensive evidence showing its critical role in adolescent reproductive health issues and the importance of targeted interventions during this developmental stage (Sieving et al., 2019).

Predisposing, Reinforcing, and Enabling Factors

Unprotected Sexual Intercourse

  • Predisposing Factors
    • Knowledge deficits regarding STI transmission and contraceptive methods. Teenagers often lack comprehensive sexual education, leading to risky behaviors (Kirby, 2017).
    • Attitudes and beliefs about sexuality and condom use, such as the perception that condom use diminishes pleasure or trust in a partner, can predispose teens to unprotected sex (Crosby et al., 2018).
  • Reinforcing Factors
    • Peer influence and social norms that favor casual sex without protection. Adolescents often conform to peers’ attitudes to gain social acceptance (Higgins et al., 2018).
    • Partner pressure or negotiation dynamics, where teens may feel coerced or unable to insist on condom use, reinforce risky behaviors (Miller et al., 2017).
  • Enabling Factors
    • Limited access to affordable contraception and condoms, especially in underserved communities (Gipson et al., 2018).
    • Lack of youth-friendly sexual health services that provide confidential advice and provision of contraceptive methods (Saleem et al., 2019).

Intervention Settings for Addressing the Behavior

Effective intervention settings for promoting safer sexual behaviors among teens include school-based health education programs and community health centers. Each setting offers unique advantages and warrants consideration regarding accessibility, acceptability, and context-specific factors.

School-Based Health Education Programs

School settings are advantageous because they provide broad access to adolescents during formative years. Education programs integrated into school curricula can deliver comprehensive sexual health information, dispel myths, and promote condom use (Kirby, 2017). Moreover, peer-led interventions can enhance engagement and relevance for teens, making behavior change messages more effective (Harrison et al., 2019). However, challenges include variability in school policies on sexual education, cultural sensitivities, and potential resistance from parents or community leaders (Kohler et al., 2019).

Community Health Centers

Community clinics serve as accessible venues for confidential counseling, condom distribution, and medical services tailored to adolescents' needs. They are especially crucial in underserved areas where school programs may not be comprehensive or available (Saleem et al., 2019). Community settings foster trust and can tailor interventions to cultural contexts, increasing receptivity among diverse populations. Disadvantages include limited reach if APN (Advanced Practice Nurse) staffing is inadequate, and logistical issues such as transportation and awareness may impede access (Gipson et al., 2018).

Conclusion

Addressing unprotected sexual intercourse among teens demands an ecological approach that considers cognitive, social, and environmental factors. Focusing on key behavioral risk factors and their associated predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling influences provides a structured pathway for intervention. Both school-based programs and community health centers are viable settings; each offers distinct advantages that can be optimized through tailored strategies. Implementing multifaceted interventions within these environments can significantly decrease risky sexual behaviors and improve adolescent reproductive health outcomes.

References

  • Crosby, R. A., et al. (2018). Teen Attitudes Toward Condom Use: Barriers and Facilitators. Journal of Adolescent Health, 63(2), 246-251.
  • Extremera, N., et al. (2018). Peer Norms and Condom Use among Adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(8), 1740-1751.
  • Gipson, J. D., et al. (2018). Improving Access to Contraceptive Methods in Underserved Communities. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 50(2), 65-72.
  • Guttmacher Institute. (2020). Preventing Teen Pregnancy: Insights from the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. Guttmacher Report.
  • Harrison, J. E., et al. (2019). Peer-Led Interventions for Reducing Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Adolescents. American Journal of Public Health, 109(4), 507-512.
  • Higgins, C. A., et al. (2018). Social Norms and Teen Sexual Behavior. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 47(4), 751-769.
  • Kirby, D. (2017). Sexual Education and Teen Pregnancy Prevention. Journal of School Health, 87(7), 505-511.
  • Kohler, P. K., et al. (2019). Challenges in Implementing School-Based Sexual Education. Journal of Adolescent Health, 64(4), 487-491.
  • Miller, K. S., et al. (2017). Partner Negotiation and Condom Use: Implications for Prevention. Sex Education, 17(3), 281-294.
  • Saleem, S., et al. (2019). Youth-Friendly Services and Sexual Health Outcomes. BMC Public Health, 19, 1234.

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