Feasibility Testing a Family-Level Intervention to Prevent Risky Sex Behaviors Among Middle School-Age Latinas.

PURPOSE: In this article, we report a pilot study that tested the feasibility and initial efficacy of a culturally, linguistically, and developmentally tailored risky sex prevention intervention for middle school-age Latinas and their mothers.

DESIGN: We used a one-group pre-test, post-test, and 3-month post-intervention follow-up design. Data were collected at three points on aspects of the girls' communication, beliefs, and behaviors.

RESULTS: Promising results included improvements in girl's self-efficacy regarding condom communication and condom consistent use, and in mother-teen sexual risk communication. There were also trends in demonstration of fewer risky sex behaviors.

DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that the "Latina-Girls Empowered through Mind and Mission" (L-GEMM) intervention for young Latinas and their mothers is feasible and warrants further testing.

IMPLICATIONS: Nurses are uniquely positioned to deliver risky sex preventive interventions to young Latinas. Including mothers and tailoring interventions to build on cultural strengths are important for success.