Evaluation of a program to prevent teen pregnancy and promote character development
Evaluation of the "Yes You Can... Make Smart Choices!" Curriculum
This study tests a new program in Newark schools that aims to help 9th graders make smart choices to prevent teen pregnancy and build character.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 2600 (estimated) |
| Ages | 10 Years to 21 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | New Jersey Physicians Advisory Group Academic / other |
| Locations | 13 sites (Newark, New Jersey and 12 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05320666 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The Yes You Can...Make Smart Choices! (YYC...MSC!) program is designed to prevent teen pregnancy and enhance character development among adolescents. This intervention consists of an 11-lesson curriculum delivered to 9th graders in Newark public schools during health classes over approximately two weeks. The program will be evaluated through a randomized control trial to assess its effectiveness compared to a control group. The findings will contribute to the evidence base for adolescent pregnancy prevention and will be disseminated to encourage adoption in schools and communities.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this program are 9th graders in Newark public schools who do not have severe cognitive, mental, or behavioral impairments.
Not a fit: Students with severe cognitive, mental, or behavioral impairments, particularly those in restricted placements, may not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this program could significantly reduce teen pregnancy rates and improve character development among adolescents.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown success with similar educational interventions aimed at preventing teen pregnancy, indicating a promising approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Youth served and recruited will be limited to 9th graders from health classrooms at the NPS sites participating in this program who do not have severe cognitive, mental, or behavioral impairments. Students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP) who are in a restricted placement due to such issues will not be able to participate in the program as they will not be a part of the mainstream classrooms where the program will take place. Students with an IEP who are placed in regular classroom settings (i.e., mainstreamed) will be included in the program. New Jersey law only requires passive parental consent to be obtained, using a written notice about the evaluation provided to students to bring home with an option for parents to sign the notice to opt their child/student out of the evaluation. If parents wish to opt their child/student out of the evaluation, the child will still receive the program because it is the Newark Board of Education-approved sexual education curriculum treatment group health classes. When the Educator goes back to the classroom to pre-survey, they will collect any 'opt-out' notices and survey only those students whose parents have not elected to 'opt-out' their child. Ineligible students include students with IEP who are in a restricted placement and students that bring back 'opt-out' written notices. Since we are using the same form for treatment and control schools (making it unclear to parents what group their child is in), we do not expect differences in opt-out rates between treatment and control schools.
Where this trial is running
Newark, New Jersey and 12 other locations
- Arts High School — Newark, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
- American History High School — Newark, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
- Bard High School Early College — Newark, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
- Newark Vocational High School — Newark, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
- West Side High School — Newark, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
- Newark School of Global Studies — Newark, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
- Technology High School — Newark, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
- Newark School of Data Science and Information Technology — Newark, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
- Central High School — Newark, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
- Malcolm X. Shabazz High School — Newark, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
- University High School — Newark, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
- Eagle Academy for Youth Men of Newark — Newark, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
- Weequahic High School — Newark, New Jersey, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Debbie Marchione
- Email: debbie@njphysicians.org
- Phone: 908-322-9050
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.