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Service-learning programs

Health Factors: Sexual Activity
Decision Makers: Community Organizations, Schools
Evidence Rating: Scientifically Supported
Population Reach: 1-9% of WI's population
Impact on Disparities: Likely to decrease disparities

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Description

Service-learning programs integrate classroom learning with community service activities. Programs focus on decision making and self-awareness and often address nonsexual factors (CG-HIV/AIDS-Interventions for adolescents). 

Expected Beneficial Outcomes

Increased use of contraception
Reduced frequency of sex
Reduced teen pregnancies/births
Delayed initiation of sex
Increased use of condoms

Evidence of Effectiveness

There is strong evidence that service-learning programs decrease pregnancy rates among adolescents (Alford 2008, CG-HIV/AIDS-Interventions for adolescents, Harris 2009, Kirby 2007, Urban-Eisen 2000). These programs have also been shown to delay the initiation of sexual intercourse, reduce frequency of sex, and increase the use of condoms and other contraceptives (Alford 2008, Kirby 2007, Urban-Eisen 2000). 

Implementation Examples

United States

At least fourteen states have service learning programs. Reach for Health Community Youth Service Learning Program (Reach for Health) and the Teen Outreach Program (PPN) are two examples of successful service learning programs. The Teen Outreach Program has been shown to decrease pregnancy rates (Alford 2008, Harris 2009, Kirby 2007,Urban-Eisen 2000) and the Reach for Health Community Youth Service Learning Program has been shown to decrease risk behaviors (Alford 2008, Kirby 2007). 

Citations - Description

CG-HIV/AIDS-Interventions for adolescents - The Guide to Community Preventive Services (The Community Guide). Prevention of HIV/AIDS, other STIs and pregnancy: Interventions for adolescents. Accessed on June 23, 2012
Webpage: http://www.thecommunityguide.org/hiv/adolescents.html

Citations - Evidence

Alford 2008 - Alford S. Science and success, 3rd edition: Sex education and other programs that work to prevent teen pregnancy, HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Washington, DC: Advocates for Youth; 2012. Accessed on June 19, 2012
Webpage: http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=367&Itemid=336
CG-HIV/AIDS-Interventions for adolescents - The Guide to Community Preventive Services (The Community Guide). Prevention of HIV/AIDS, other STIs and pregnancy: Interventions for adolescents. Accessed on June 23, 2012
Webpage: http://www.thecommunityguide.org/hiv/adolescents.html
Harris 2009* - Harris MB, Allgood JG. Adolescent pregnancy prevention: Choosing an effective program that fits. Children and Youth Services Review. 2009;31(12):1314-20. Accessed on June 23, 2012
Webpage: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190740909001571
Kirby 2007 - Kirby D. Emerging answers 2007: Research findings on programs to reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Washington, DC: National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy; 2007. Accessed on June 23, 2012
Webpage: http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/EA2007/EA2007_full.pdf
Urban-Eisen 2000 - Eisen M, Pallito C, Brader C, Bolshun N. Teen risk-taking: Promising prevention programs and approaches. Washington, DC: Urban Institute; 2000. Accessed on June 23, 2012
Webpage: http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=310293

Citations - Implementation Examples

Alford 2008 - Alford S. Science and success, 3rd edition: Sex education and other programs that work to prevent teen pregnancy, HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Washington, DC: Advocates for Youth; 2012. Accessed on June 19, 2012
Webpage: http://www.advocatesforyouth.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=367&Itemid=336
Harris 2009* - Harris MB, Allgood JG. Adolescent pregnancy prevention: Choosing an effective program that fits. Children and Youth Services Review. 2009;31(12):1314-20. Accessed on June 23, 2012
Webpage: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0190740909001571
Kirby 2007 - Kirby D. Emerging answers 2007: Research findings on programs to reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Washington, DC: National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy; 2007. Accessed on June 23, 2012
Webpage: http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/EA2007/EA2007_full.pdf
PPN - Promising Practices Network (PPN). On children, families and communities. Accessed on May 7, 2012
Webpage: http://www.promisingpractices.org/programs_evidence.asp
Reach for Health - O’Donnell L, San Doval A, Duran R, et al. Reach for health: A school-sponsored community youth service intervention for middle school students. Los Altos: Sociometrics.
Accessed on June 23, 2012
Webpage: http://www.socio.com/paspp10.php
Urban-Eisen 2000 - Eisen M, Pallito C, Brader C, Bolshun N. Teen risk-taking: Promising prevention programs and approaches. Washington, DC: Urban Institute; 2000. Accessed on June 23, 2012
Webpage: http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=310293

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Health Factors

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Decision Makers

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Evidence Rating

Level of effectiveness based on a scan of academic literature and key recommendations of leading organizations.

  • Scientifically Supported Numerous studies or systematic review(s) with positive results
  • Some Evidence Research suggests positive impacts; further study may be warranted
  • Expert Opinion Recommended by credible groups*; research evidence limited
  • Insufficient Evidence Evidence limited or unavailable; further study warranted
  • Mixed Evidence Evidence mixed; further study warranted
  • Evidence of Ineffectiveness Research consistently shows program is detrimental or has no effect

Although many policies and programs are recommended by credible groups, we apply the rating ‘expert opinion’ only when policies are recommended but limited scientific evidence of effectiveness is available.

* The American Heritage Dictionary defines credible as 'capable of being believed; plausible.' and 'worthy of confidence; reliable.' To be considered an 'expert recommendation,' policies and programs must be recommended by one or more organizations that are recognized for their impartial expertise in the area of interest and have limited evidence available.

Potential Population Reach

Portion of Wisconsin's population likely to be reached by a policy or program if implemented statewide, based on its characteristics (e.g., target population(s), geographic limitations, and potential implementers).

<1%   20-49%
1-9%   50-99%
10-19%   100%

Potential Population Reach

Portion of Wisconsin's population likely to be reached by a policy or program if implemented statewide, based on its characteristics (e.g., target population(s), geographic limitations, and potential implementers).

<1%   20-49%
1-9%   50-99%
10-19%   100%

Potential Impact on Health Disparities

Likely impact of a given policy or program on racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic or other disparities in Wisconsin based on its characteristics (e.g., target audience, mode of delivery, etc.) and best available evidence related to disparities.

  • Likely to decrease disparities
  • No impact on disparities likely
  • Likely to increase disparities