¡Cuídate! en Español

SELECT MEDIA ANUNCIA EL LANZAMIENTO DE UN PROGRAMA EN ESPAñOL BASADO EN EVIDENCIA, SOBRE LA REDUCCIÓN DE RIESGO DEL VIH, CREADO ESPECÍFICAMENTE PARA LA JUVENTUD LATINA.

La empresa de publicaciones Select Media, Inc., anunció el lanzamiento de la versión en español del programa curricular basado en evidencia ¡Cuídate!

¡Cuídate! es un programa de reducción de riesgo del VIH, creado específicamente para la juventud latina, y está comprobado que reduce la frecuencia de las relaciones sexuales y el número de compañeros de sexo, mientras incrementa el uso de condones. Es una adaptación del programa Be Proud! Be Responsible!, uno de los primeros programas de prevención del VIH basado en evidencia, dirigido a la juventud que está en peligro. La versión en español de ¡Cuídate! incorpora aspectos destacados de la cultura latina, específicamente el “familismo” (la importancia de la familia), el machismo y otras expectativas de los roles de géneros. Este programa fue creado para ser usado por la juventud latina entre los grados 8 y 11, y estará disponible para las escuelas y organizaciones juveniles en esta primavera.

El currículo basado en valores culturales se apoya en la teoría cognitiva y en las teorías de acción argumentada y conducta planeada, y presenta la abstinencia y al mismo tiempo el uso de condones como aceptables culturalmente, y como maneras efectivas de prevenir las enfermedades de transmisión sexual (STI, por sus siglas en inglés), incluido el VIH. Es un pequeño grupo de intervenciones, que consiste de seis módulos de 60 minutos ofrecidos a grupos pequeños de ambos sexos.
Los autores son los investigadores Antonia M. Villarruel, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., Loretta Sweet Jemmott, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N. y John B. Jemmott III, Ph.D.

El programa en español ¡Cuídate! incluye actividades de aprendizaje como discusiones en grupos pequeños, videos, juegos, demostraciones y juegos de rol. Las actividades han sido creadas para ayudar a los jóvenes a obtener los elementos que necesitan para negociar y practicar la abstinencia y el uso de condones. Estas actividades les enseñan a los adolescentes cómo las opciones de su conducta sexual pueden afectar su salud. También les muestran cómo una conducta sexual más segura puede ayudarles a evitar el embarazo y las enfermedades de transmisión sexual como el VIH y el SIDA.

El currículo tiene seis horas de contenido, dividido en seis módulos de 60 minutos. Los módulos de aprendizaje son: “Introducción y Bienvenida” (Introduction and Overview), “Aprendiendo Sobre el VIH” (Building HIV Knowledge), “Entendiendo la Vulnerabilidad a la Infección del VIH” (Understanding Vulnerability to HIV), “Actitudes y Creencias Sobre el VIH/SIDA y el Sexo Más Seguro” (Attitudes and Beliefs about HIV/AIDS), “Desarrollar Técnicas para el Uso del Condón” (Building Condom-Use Skills), and “Desarrollo de Estrategias de Negociación y Rechazo” (Negotiation and Refusal Skills).

Acerca de los Autores
Antonia M. Villarruel, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A. es Profesora Asociada y Directora del Centro para Promoción de la Salud de la Universidad de Michigan. Ella recibió su doctorado de la Universidad Estatal de Wayne y completó el entrenamiento de posgrado en la Universidad de Michigan. La Dra. Villarruel tiene una amplia experiencia en la promoción de la salud y en la investigación y práctica de las disparidades de la salud. Su investigación se enfoca en el desarrollo y las intervenciones de pruebas para reducir el riesgo sexual del VIH entre la juventud mexicana y latina. La Dra. Villarruel también es Directora de un NINR P20, que está asociado con el Centro de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad de Texas en San Antonio, creado para incrementar la capacidad de investigación de enfermeras de minorías.
Loretta Sweet Jemmott, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N. y John B. Jemmott III, PhD. son investigadores y profesores de renombre internacional, de la Universidad de Pennsylvania. Loretta es profesora de enfermería y preside la cátedra del Centro para Disparidades de la Salud, y John es profesor de comunicaciones y especialista en psicología de la salud. Ellos colaboran con otros psicólogos y profesionales de la salud para detener la rápida propagación del VIH entre las poblaciones que están en peligro, y que incluyen a los adolescentes urbanos. Los Jemmott han trabajado durante 15 años para incrementar el conocimiento sobre el VIH/SIDA entre los adolescentes de las zonas marginales, y han publicado cinco intervenciones de “Best-Evidence” (Mejor evidencia) reconocidas por la CDC (Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, por sus siglas en inglés) como el estándar más elevado de investigación. Sus esfuerzos de investigación continúan obteniendo la atención a nivel nacional.

Objetivos de Aprendizaje
Después de participar en el currículo, los estudiantes estarán más capacitados para:

• Reconocer su vulnerabilidad al VIH y a otras enfermedades de transmisión sexual
• Desarrollar actitudes que sustenten una decisión segura
• Aumentar la motivación de abstenerse del sexo y usar condones
• Responder con confianza a las presiones de sexo no seguro

Precio y Disponibilidad
Se estima que la versión en español de ¡Cuídate!, que incluye un currículo impreso de 150 páginas con actividades, folletos para estudiantes, clips de video en DVD y afiches, estará disponible esta primavera por $165 de Select Media. Se ofrecerá desarrollo profesional, como una opción adicional. Para más información, por favor, llame a Select Media al 800-707-6334, envíe un e-mail a info@selectmedia.org, o visite www.selectmedia.org

Acerca de Select Media, Inc.
Durante veintidós años, Select Media, Inc. (www.selectmedia.org) de Nueva York, ha sido pionera en medios dirigidos a grupos culturales específicos, en los temas de intervenciones basadas en evidencias. Sus productos, que han sido probados de manera efectiva, son usados por grupos comunitarios, departamentos de salud, escuelas, agencias gubernamentales, departmentos de educación, grupos juveniles y clínicas de todo el país. Select Media produce, publica y distribuye programas basados en evidencia, que han sido galardonados. Su misión es la de crear y diseminar materiales efectivos en la promoción de conductas de salud positivas entre las comunidades de riesgo. Los materiales de currículo y de medios se basan en profundas investigaciones realizadas por investigadores líderes en los campos de la salud conductual, comunicación, comunidad y salud pública.

¡Cuídate! Curriculum in Spanish Now Available

SELECT MEDIA ANNOUNCES EVIDENCE-BASED SPANISH LANGUAGE HIV RISK-REDUCTION PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY FOR LATINO YOUTH

NEW YORK, March 24^th, 2010 – Evidence-based curriculum publisher Select Media, Inc., announced the release of the Spanish language version of the Best-Evidence curriculum, ¡Cuídate!

¡Cuídate! is an HIV risk-reduction program designed specifically for Latino youth, that is proven to reduce the frequency of sexual intercourse and number of sex partners, and increase condom-use. The program is an adaptation of the Be Proud! Be Responsible! Program, one of the first evidence-based HIV prevention programs for at-risk youth.  The Spanish language version of ¡Cuídate! incorporates salient aspects of Latino culture, specifically familialism (the importance of family), machismo, and other gender role expectations. It is intended for use with Latino youth in grades 8 to 11 and will be available for schools and youth organizations to purchase this spring.

The culturally-based curriculum is based on social cognitive theory and the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior, and presents both abstinence and condom use as culturally acceptable and effective ways to prevent STIs, including HIV.  It is a small-group intervention that consists of six 60-minute modules delivered to small, mixed-gender groups.

The authors and researchers are Antonia M. Villarruel, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., Loretta Sweet Jemmott, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N, and John B. Jemmott III, Ph.D.

The Spanish language ¡Cuídate! program includes learning activities such as small group discussions, videos, games, demonstrations and role-plays. Activities are designed to help teens get the skills they need to negotiate and practice abstinence and condom use. These activities make teens aware of how choices about their sexual behavior an affect their health. The activities show how safer sex behavior can help avoid pregnancy and STDs like HIV and AIDS.

The curriculum has six hours of content, divided into six 60-minute modules. The learning modules are: “Introducción y Bienvenida” (Introduction and Overview), “Aprendiendo Sobre el VIH” (Building HIV Knowledge), “Entendiendo la Vulnerabilidad a la Infección del VIH” (Understanding Vulnerability to HIV), “Actitudes y Creencias Sobre el VIH/SIDA y el Sexo Más Seguro” (Attitudes and Beliefs about HIV/AIDS), “Desarrollar Técnicas para el Uso del Condón” (Building Condom-Use Skills), and “Desarrollo de Estrategias de Negociación y Rechazo” (Negotiation and Refusal Skills).

About the Authors

Antonia M. Villarruel, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N, is an Associate Professor and Director of the Center for Health Promotion at the University of Michigan. She received her Ph.D. from Wayne State University and completed post-doctoral training at the University of Michigan. Dr. Villarruel has an extensive background in health promotion and health disparities research and practice. Her research focuses on the development and testing interventions to reduce HIV sexual risk among Mexican and Latino youth. Dr. Villarruel is also the Director of an NINR P20, which is a partnership with the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, designed to increase the capacity of minority nurse researchers.

Loretta Sweet Jemmott, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N, and John B. Jemmott III, PhD., are both internationally renowned researchers and professors at the University of Pennsylvania. Loretta is a professor of nursing and chair of the Center for Health Disparities and John is a professor of communication and specialist in health psychology. They collaborate along with other psychologists and health professionals who are working to stem the rapid spread of HIV among at-risk populations including urban adolescents. The Jemmotts have been working for 15 years to increase HIV/AIDS awareness among inner-city adolescents, have published five “Best-Evidence” interventions recognized by the CDC as the highest standard of research. Their on-going research efforts continue to achieve national attention.

Learning Objectives

After participating in the curriculum, students will be better able to:

• Recognize their vulnerability to HIV and other STIs
• Develop attitudes that support safe decision-making
• Build skills to better able to abstain from sex and use condoms
• Respond with confidence to pressures to have unsafe sex

Pricing and Availability

The Spanish language version of “¡Cuídate!,” which includes a 150-page printed curriculum with activities, student hand-outs, DVD video clips, and posters, is expected to be available this spring for $165 from Select Media. Professional development will be offered as an additional option. For information, call Select Media at 800-707-6334, e-mail info@selectmedia.org, or visit www.selectmedia.org.

To listen to a brief description of the ¡Cuídate! curriculum, click HERE and you will be taken to the CDC’s Podcast page.

¡Cuídate! was included in The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy’s “What Works 2010: Replicating Evidence-Based Teen Pregnancy Prevention Programs for Latino Youth” Webinar on March 23, 2010. Click HERE to listen to the archive of the Webinar.

First Abstinence-Only Study Proven Effective Among At-Risk Inner-City Adolescents

SELECT MEDIA ANNOUNCES FIRST ABSTINENCE-ONLY CURRICULUM PROVEN EFFECTIVE AMONG AT-RISK INNER-CITY ADOLESCENTS

Nationally-renowned researchers pioneered a new education approach that works in delaying
teen sex and could have a major impact on the future of health education

NEW YORK, March 16, 2010 – Evidence-based curriculum publisher Select Media, Inc., announced the first Abstinence-only, HIV/AIDS, STD and Teen Pregnancy Prevention curriculum proven effective in delaying sexual initiation among at-risk teens. The Abstinence-only curriculum was created for a gold standard, 2-year research study, “Promoting Health Among Teens,” by nationally renowned experts in health psychology and behavior. The authors and researchers are Loretta Sweet Jemmott, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N. and John B. Jemmott III, Ph.D. The “Promoting Health Among Teens” curriculum is an Abstinence-only intervention for at-risk youth in grades 5 to 9 and will be available for schools and youth organizations to purchase this spring.

The Jemmotts’ research study results, released last month, showed that only one-third of the students who participated in classes using the “Promoting Health Among Teens” Abstinence-only curriculum had engaged in sex by the time of the 2-year follow up, compared to half of the students in a control group. The study included 662 at-risk students, who were an average of 12 years old at the beginning of the study. The Jemmotts’ study, published in the “Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine,” is exciting schools and youth health organizations alike while sparking new discussions about Abstinence-only education. The new research, Promoting Health Among Teens, has been widely acknowledged in the press as a “game-changing study” by both comprehensive health advocates and conservative groups alike.

In light of statistics that show nearly half of inner-city youth have had sex by age 13, the Jemmotts spent over a decade doing research through focus groups with at-risk, inner-city young people to delve into their world, understand their attitudes and hear their voices. The “Promoting Health Among Teens” curriculum helps educators facilitate conversations among groups of students, encouraging them to draw their own conclusions about making good choices and how Abstinence can help them reach their personal goals. Abstinence is defined in the intervention as not having vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

“As health researchers, we wanted to try to extend the effectiveness of our previous study (Spruce, JAMA 1998),” said Dr. John Jemmott. “While much of the Abstinence group intervention was the same, there were a number of key things that were different. We clarified the abstinence only message, we strengthened the personal vulnerability to HIV message, we added teen pregnancy and negotiation activities and we added homework assignments -that required participants to talk to their parents/guardians at home about their future, sex, HIV/STDs, and unplanned pregnancy”

“We were delighted by the results,” continued Dr. Jemmott. “We know that if a 12-year old delays sex for 2 years he or she will not become pregnant, contract an STD or father a pregnancy in that time period. In addition, people who initiate sex at a later age when they are more mature are more likely to be responsible and use condoms and/or other contraception.”

“Our message is always positive that young people can have goals and dreams,” said Dr. Loretta Jemmott, who developed the program. “We get them talking about what they want to do in five and 10 years, and what could get in the way of that. There are no moral opinions and no put downs. The Abstinence message is clear. The curriculum is based on the real voices, thoughts and feelings of the African-American youth it is designed to serve.”

“Even though we use behavior change theories and methods when designing our interventions – we always are sure to be active, fun and engaging with youth so they don’t have the chance to tune out,” said Dr. Loretta Jemmott. “Our youth are our future. This program effectively arms participants with the knowledge, confidence and skills necessary to protect themselves and others against unintended pregnancy, HIV & STDs.”

This is a very lively, exciting curriculum for students that is not a sit down and listen kind of program.  It is very interactive and student-centric.  Features that make it unique from other Abstinence-only programs are providing only medically accurate information, not suggesting abstinence-until-marriage, not making any moral judgments, including teen pregnancy along with HIV and STDs as an unwanted outcome, and homework assignments that involve talking to parents about tough subjects. Students participate in Talking Circles, Brainstorming, and Role-Plays. The program also includes DVD videos, exercises, and games that make learning enjoyable. Most activities are brief and can be completed in 10 to 15 minutes. The information is serious and important, but presented in a way that students can learn together and enjoy themselves. Participants who completed the program in the Jemmotts’ study stated that they had a good time, learned a lot, and would recommend the program to their friends.

In the “Promoting Health Among Teens” Abstinence-only curriculum, students learn about puberty, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HIV, and pregnancy prevention.   The curriculum has eight hours of content, divided into eight one-hour modules. The learning modules are:  “Getting to Know You and Steps to Making Your Dreams Come True,” “Puberty and Adolescent Sexuality,” “Making Abstinence Work for Me,” “Consequences of Sex: HIV/AIDS,” “Consequences of Sex: STDs,” “Consequences of Sex: Unplanned Pregnancy,” “Improving Sexual Choices and Negotiation,” and “Role-Plays: Refusal and Negotiation Skills.”

About the Authors

Loretta Sweet Jemmott, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N, and John B. Jemmott III, PhD., are both internationally renowned researchers and professors at the University of Pennsylvania. Loretta is a professor of nursing and chair of the Center for Health Disparities and John is a professor of communication and specialist in health psychology. They collaborate along with other psychologists and health professionals who are working to stem the rapid spread of HIV among at-risk populations including urban adolescents. The Jemmotts have been working for 15 years to increase HIV/AIDS awareness among inner-city adolescents, have published five “best-evidence” interventions recognized by the CDC as the highest standard of research. Their on-going research efforts continue to achieve national attention.

Learning Objectives

After participating in the curriculum, students will be better able to:

• Recognize Abstinence as the best way to avoid pregnancy and HIV/STDs
• View Abstinence as a positive choice
• Recognize teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and STDs as obstacles to their goals and dreams
• Respond with confidence to pressures to have sex

Pricing and Availability

“Promoting Health Among Teens,” which includes a 225-page printed curriculum with activities, student hand-outs, DVD video clips, and posters, is expected to be available this spring for $145 from Select Media. Professional development will be offered as an additional option. Educators will receive 16 to 24 hours of training, depending on their knowledge of HIV/AIDS and adolescent sexuality. For information, call Select Media at 800-707-6334, e-mail info@selectmedia.org, or visit www.selectmedia.org.

About Select Media, Inc.

Select Media, Inc. (www.selectmedia.org), in New York City, NY, has been a pioneer in evidence-based health interventions and culturally targeted media for twenty two years. Its proven-effective products are used by community groups, health departments, schools, government agencies, departments of education, youth groups, and clinics nationwide. Select Media produces, publishes and distributes award-winning and evidence-based programs. Its mission is to create and disseminate materials effective in promoting positive health behaviors among communities at-risk. Curriculum and media materials are based on extensive research conducted by leading researchers in the fields of behavioral health, communication, community and public health.