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Sustaining Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs in Schools: Needs and Barriers Identified by School Leaders
Author(s) -
Craft Lesley R.,
Brandt Heather M.,
Prince Mary
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/josh.12376
Subject(s) - curriculum , sustainability , psychological intervention , medical education , program evaluation , public relations , qualitative research , medicine , psychology , political science , nursing , pedagogy , sociology , public administration , ecology , social science , biology
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND To reduce teen pregnancy rates, prevention programs must be consistently available to large numbers of youth. However, prevention efforts have been historically conducted with little emphasis on ensuring program sustainability. This study examined the needs and barriers to sustaining teen pregnancy prevention ( TPP ) programming in schools after grant funding has ended, as identified by school leadership. METHODS A total of 11 qualitative interviews were conducted between June and September 2012 with middle school leaders from 11 schools involved in current implementation of a TPP program in South Carolina. Interviews were audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, and thematically coded. RESULTS Identified needs and barriers to sustainability varied across schools. Common barriers to program sustainability included: lack of materials and supplies, insufficient funding (at the school and district level), lack of support and/or parental opposition, and other school/district priorities. School leaders also identified several needs to continue TPP programming, including: continued funding, trainings, outcome/effectiveness data to support the program, and regularly updated curriculum. CONCLUSION Schools with greater perceived needs and barriers may be less likely to sustain. Knowledge gained through this research may be used to inform future interventions and sustainability planning efforts, allowing us to maximize prevention programming.