Gender–Specific Health Education in the Juvenile Justice System

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Abstract
Adolescent girls in the juvenile justice system have high rates of sexual risk behaviors and minimal access to health education or gender–specific programs. This article describes the implementation process and results of a pilot intervention study conducted in a juvenile detention center. The results of Girl Talk–2, a peer–led curriculum addressing knowledge and attitudes about sexual risk behaviors and violence prevention, were compared to a control curriculum consisting of lecture and video materials on the same topics. Analysis of pre–and postintervention data for 28 girls in the intervention group and 26 girls in the control group found similar levels of knowledge change in both groups, but greater changes in precursors of behavior change, including self–efficacy, the benefits of sexual protection, and nonacceptance of partner violence, among the intervention group. The process evaluation provided suggestions for implementing future programs.

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