SAFER CHOICES - A MULTICOMPONENT SCHOOL-BASED HIV STD AND PREGNANCY PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR ADOLESCENTS

Given the serious consequences of HIV infection, other STDs, and pregn ancy among teens, professionals must develop and evaluate new approach es to reduce risks associated with adolescent sexual behavior. The Saf er Choices intervention is a comprehensive, theoretically based progra m designed to reduce risk behaviors and increase protective behaviors to prevent HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy among high school adolescent s. The program includes five components: a School Health Promotion Cou ncil involving administrators. school staff, students, parents, and co mmunity members; curriculum and staff development activities; school e nvironment activities designed and implemented by a ream of peer educa tors; parent education activities; and school-community linkage activi ties. The School Health Promotion Council is responsible for planning and overseeing program implementation. This article describes the theo retical framework, process for intervention development and key interv ention strategies used in Safer Choices.