Adolescents' and Teachers' Perceptions of a Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program.

摘要: ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness a computerized infant simulator used as teen pregnancy prevention program. program is designed provide participants with realistic infant-care experiences that may increase likelihood students will wish avoid pregnancy. High school adolescents and their teachers provided both objective narrative data. Results were mixed. Implications are important particularly for districts weighing costs benefits. Although rate has declined in U.S., one million teenagers country become pregnant each year (Kirby, 1997). This continues take toll not only on our education welfare systems, but parents children families. Therefore, it identify those efforts effective reducing incidence Education, contraceptive promotion, "Just Say No" campaigns common teenage efforts. However, at time no single intervention been recommended. Regardless what puts teens risk early pregnancy, drawing lot attention nationally, being extensively Midwest. An extension "potato baby" or "egg approaches, "Baby Think It Over" (BTIO) by Wisconsin-based company, Baby Over, Inc., create experience responsibility burden involved having an (Jurmain, 1999). A computer pack back doll instructs cry random indicating needs be tended. care plug must inserted into stop crying remain there anywhere from five forty minutes. Students "parents" period generally 2448 hours. most commonly run through between $250 $500. School systems around (of focus here Midwest) increasingly purchasing these dolls integrating them school-based programs. goal lasting impression personal sacrifice challenges care, so teenagers' attitudes behaviors more informed responsible. utilized attempt strenthen teens' desires using despite apparent lack empirical theoretical basis doing so. According Over Company (personal correspondence, April 2000), than babies have sold. program, experiential approach prevention, evaluation. Several studies evaluated capacity another, although handful appeared print thus far. For example, Kralewski Stevens-Simon (2000) determined how student's age affected efficacy BTIO simulator. authors examined differently sixth eighth graders would equate parenting. Essentially focused closely felt resembled perceptions showed likely think parenting easier because found difficult did. Similarly, Strachan Gorey (1997) whether "positively impacted [students] project notion about demands infant." Six received while other classmates observed. concluded end study, had much notions child-rearing, 90% scored higher measure expectations did comparison group. Some rural thought negative effect (37%) some positive (38%) family activity, two-thirds responded communication increased after (Price, Robinson, Thompson, & Schmalzried, …