TY - JOUR
T1 - Facilitators and Barriers to Implementing Church-Based Adolescent Sexual Health Programs in Baltimore City
AU - Powell, Terrinieka W.
AU - Weeks, Fiona H.
AU - Illangasekare, Samantha
AU - Rice, Eric
AU - Wilson, James
AU - Hickman, Debra
AU - Blum, Robert W.
N1 - Funding Information:
This work was funded by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (Grant# 5R21MD005993-02).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine
PY - 2017/2/1
Y1 - 2017/2/1
N2 - Purpose Black churches are an important community resource and a potentially powerful actor in adolescent health promotion. However, limited research exists describing the factors that may influence the successful implementation of evidence-based adolescent sexual health programs in churches. In the present study, a multi-informant approach was used to identify facilitators and barriers to implementing adolescent sexual health programs in black churches. Methods Nine Black churches located in Baltimore, MD, were recruited to participate in this study. The senior pastor and youth minster from each congregation participated in an in-depth interview (N = 18). A total of 45 youth (ages 13–19 years) and 38 parents participated in 15 focus groups. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a qualitative content analytic approach. Results Participants agreed that comprehensive adolescent sexual health education should be available for youth in black churches. They also believed that abstaining from sex should be discussed in all adolescent sexual health programs. Three facilitators were discussed: widespread endorsement of church-based adolescent sexual health education, positive influence of youth ministers on youth, and life lessons as teaching tools. Four barriers are described: perceived resistance from congregants, discomfort among youth, lack of financial resources, and competing messages at home about sexual health. Conclusions Our findings suggest that churches are a preferred place for adolescent sexual health education among some parents and youth. Study findings also reinforce the feasibility and desirably of church-based adolescent sexual health programs.
AB - Purpose Black churches are an important community resource and a potentially powerful actor in adolescent health promotion. However, limited research exists describing the factors that may influence the successful implementation of evidence-based adolescent sexual health programs in churches. In the present study, a multi-informant approach was used to identify facilitators and barriers to implementing adolescent sexual health programs in black churches. Methods Nine Black churches located in Baltimore, MD, were recruited to participate in this study. The senior pastor and youth minster from each congregation participated in an in-depth interview (N = 18). A total of 45 youth (ages 13–19 years) and 38 parents participated in 15 focus groups. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using a qualitative content analytic approach. Results Participants agreed that comprehensive adolescent sexual health education should be available for youth in black churches. They also believed that abstaining from sex should be discussed in all adolescent sexual health programs. Three facilitators were discussed: widespread endorsement of church-based adolescent sexual health education, positive influence of youth ministers on youth, and life lessons as teaching tools. Four barriers are described: perceived resistance from congregants, discomfort among youth, lack of financial resources, and competing messages at home about sexual health. Conclusions Our findings suggest that churches are a preferred place for adolescent sexual health education among some parents and youth. Study findings also reinforce the feasibility and desirably of church-based adolescent sexual health programs.
KW - Adolescents
KW - Church based
KW - Qualitative
KW - Sexual health
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U2 - 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.09.017
DO - 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.09.017
M3 - Article
C2 - 27889400
AN - SCOPUS:85007210895
SN - 1054-139X
VL - 60
SP - 169
EP - 175
JO - Journal of Adolescent Health
JF - Journal of Adolescent Health
IS - 2
ER -