GA Department of Public Health: FY 2023 Adolescent Health and Youth Development Strategic Evaluation Plan
Disciplines
Systems Engineering
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be public health issues in the United States of America. In Georgia, birth rates by teenage females declined by 66% between years 1991 and 2015 (GA-DPH, 2022). However, there were 9,661 teen births in 2014 of which 73% occurred among older teens (15-19 years). Unintended pregnancies continue to be a concern with an estimated $918 million spent in 2010 for unplanned pregnancies (GA-DPH, 2022). Offering risk reduction strategies through evidence-based curricula and programs has been found to empower youth with the skills and knowledge they need to decline risk behaviors or practice safe sexual behaviors (Gavin et al., 2010). For this reason the Georgia Department of Public Health (GA-DPH) focuses on creating supportive networks to assist youth in developing healthy lifestyles. To understand the prevalence of this public health issue and effectiveness of programs implemented, GA-DPH is partnered with Kennesaw State University to collect data via state-wide surveys and execute a strategic evaluation plan informed by data analysis. Evaluation methodologies include conducting pre and post surveys with follow-up. Summarized results from the Fiscal Year 2022 reporting period surveying a total of 1,977 youth were as follows: (1) 56% reported an increase in knowledge regarding STD and pregnancy prevention; (2) 41% gained knowledge of healthy behaviors in relationships; (3) 89% reported increased knowledge and awareness of topics covered at events, such as, effects of drugs and alcohol on the body, teen pregnancy, STD/STI prevention, maintaining personal hygiene during puberty, bullying prevention strategies, and avoiding dating violence. In conclusion, these encouraging results have prompted the statewide strategic evaluation team to revamp and expand its survey questionnaires, provide pre and post surveys in other languages to reach youth from diverse cultures, and improve on data analysis techniques for fiscal year 2023.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
WCHHS - Health Promotion and Physical Education
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Evelina Sterling
GA Department of Public Health: FY 2023 Adolescent Health and Youth Development Strategic Evaluation Plan
Teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to be public health issues in the United States of America. In Georgia, birth rates by teenage females declined by 66% between years 1991 and 2015 (GA-DPH, 2022). However, there were 9,661 teen births in 2014 of which 73% occurred among older teens (15-19 years). Unintended pregnancies continue to be a concern with an estimated $918 million spent in 2010 for unplanned pregnancies (GA-DPH, 2022). Offering risk reduction strategies through evidence-based curricula and programs has been found to empower youth with the skills and knowledge they need to decline risk behaviors or practice safe sexual behaviors (Gavin et al., 2010). For this reason the Georgia Department of Public Health (GA-DPH) focuses on creating supportive networks to assist youth in developing healthy lifestyles. To understand the prevalence of this public health issue and effectiveness of programs implemented, GA-DPH is partnered with Kennesaw State University to collect data via state-wide surveys and execute a strategic evaluation plan informed by data analysis. Evaluation methodologies include conducting pre and post surveys with follow-up. Summarized results from the Fiscal Year 2022 reporting period surveying a total of 1,977 youth were as follows: (1) 56% reported an increase in knowledge regarding STD and pregnancy prevention; (2) 41% gained knowledge of healthy behaviors in relationships; (3) 89% reported increased knowledge and awareness of topics covered at events, such as, effects of drugs and alcohol on the body, teen pregnancy, STD/STI prevention, maintaining personal hygiene during puberty, bullying prevention strategies, and avoiding dating violence. In conclusion, these encouraging results have prompted the statewide strategic evaluation team to revamp and expand its survey questionnaires, provide pre and post surveys in other languages to reach youth from diverse cultures, and improve on data analysis techniques for fiscal year 2023.