Assessing the Effectiveness of the Respecting the Circle of Life Project on Condom and Contraception Self-efficacy Among American Indian Youth.

Respecting the Circle of Life (RCL) is a teen pregnancy prevention program that was evaluated for effectiveness on sexual health risk behaviors through a two-arm randomized control trial (RCT) with American Indian (AI) youth ages 11-19. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of RCL compared to a control group on items of condom and contraception self-efficacy. Linear regression analysis was used to compare differences in each item that included condom and contraception self-efficacy scales among the intervention and control participants at baseline, 3 and 9 months post intervention. Youth enrolled in the intervention reported higher levels of condom and contraception self-efficacy across almost all individual items. Exceptions include items related to partner negotiation of condom self-efficacy at 3 months (p = 0.227) and 9 months (p = 0.074) post intervention. Findings indicate RCL is effective at improving overall condom and contraception self-efficacy but did not impact the specific component of partner negotiation for either condom or contraception self-efficacy. This inquiry provides rationale to further explore components of RCL related to partner negotiation.

Implementation Fidelity and Theory-Informed Dose Effects of a Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program for Native American Youth.

In 2019, Native youth had the highest rate of teen pregnancy of all racial/ethnic groups. "Respecting the Circle of Life" (RCL) is one of the first evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs for Native teens and there is interest in replicating the program across tribal communities. To inform replication, it is important to consider process data including quality, fidelity, and dosage as these may all moderate impact of the program. Participants were Native youth aged 11-19 and a trusted adult. This study includes participants randomized to the RCL program only (N = 266). Data sources include independent observations, facilitator self-assessments, attendance logs, and self-report assessments completed by enrolled youth at baseline and 3 months post assessment. Data was compiled and summed by cohort. Dosage was number of minutes participating in activities separated by theoretical constructs. Linear regression models were utilized to assess moderation of the effects of the intervention dosage on outcomes of interest. Eighteen facilitators delivered RCL. One hundred eighteen independent observations and 320 facilitator self-assessments were collected and entered. Findings indicate RCL was implemented with high fidelity and quality (4.40 to 4.82 out of a 5-point Likert scale; 96.6% of planned activities completed). Dosage was high with an average completion of 7 out of 9 lessons. There was no association between theoretical construct dosage and outcomes of interest. Overall, this study indicates RCL was delivered with high fidelity, quality, and dosage in this trial. This paper informs future replication of RCL and provides support for hiring paraprofessionals from the local community as facilitators, delivering the RCL to peer groups of the same age and sex, delivering the RCL with short duration and high frequency, and encouraging youth to attend all RCL lessons, but continue to serve youth who have missed one or more lessons.

Predictors of STD Screening From the Indigenist Stress-Coping Model Among Native Adults With Binge Substance Use.

Objective: The American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) population in the U.S. is thriving in spite of settler colonialist efforts of erasure. AI/AN people, however, continue to experience persistent health disparities including a disproportionate burden of substance use and sexually transmitted diseases/infections (STDs/STIs), as well as a disproportionate lack of public health STD screening services and STD prevention interventions grounded in AI/AN social contexts, experiences, and epistemologies. The present study explored how stressors and protective factors based on the Indigenist Stress Coping framework predict STD screening outcomes among Native adults. Methods: We analyzed baseline self-report data from 254 Native adults ages 18-55 years with recent binge substance use who were enrolled in an evaluation of "EMPWR," a two-session STD risk reduction program in a rural, reservation-based community in the U.S. Southwest. Logistic regression models with robust variance were used to estimate odds ratios of lifetime STD testing for the theoretical stressors and cultural buffers. Results: A little over half the sample were males (52.5%, n = 136), with a mean age of 33.6 years (SD = 8.8). The majority (76.7%, n = 195) reported having ever been screened for STD in their life. Discrimination score were significantly associated with lifetime STD testing: The higher discrimination was associated with lower odds of STD testing in the fully adjusted model (aOR = 0.40, 95%CI: 0.18, 0.92). The effects of AI/AN-specific cultural buffer such as participation in traditional practices on STD testing outcomes was in the expected positive direction, even though the association was not statistically significant. Household size was significantly associated with STD screening: The higher the number of people lived together in the house, the higher the odds of STD testing in the fully adjusted model (aOR = 1.19, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.38). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that STD prevention programs should take into consideration AI/AN-specific historical traumatic stressors such as lifetime discrimination encounters and how these interact to drive or discourage sexual health services at local clinics. In addition, larger household size may be a protective factor functioning as a form of social support, and the extended family's role should be taken into consideration. Future research should consider improvement in measurements of AI/AN enculturation constructs.

Empowering Our People: Syndemic Moderators and Effects of a Culturally Adapted, Evidence-Based Intervention for Sexual Risk Reduction among Native Americans with Binge Substance Use.

Native American (NA) communities are disproportionately affected by the intersecting, synergistic epidemics of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and substance use. Targeted approaches to addressing these syndemics are critical given the relative scarcity of mental health and behavioral specialists in NA communities. We conducted a series of moderation analyses using data from a randomized controlled trial of the EMPWR (Educate, Motivate, Protect, Wellness, Respect) intervention for reducing sexual risk behaviors, culturally adapted for NA adults with recent binge substance use living on rural reservations. We considered several potential moderators and substance use and sexual risk outcomes at 6- and 12-months post-baseline. Three hundred and one people participated in the study. Age, marital status, educational attainment, employment, and depressive symptoms were differentially associated with intervention effects. EMPWR could be strengthened with the incorporation of additional skills-building related to condom use negotiation with casual partners. For individuals with lower educational attainment or without employment, additional supports and approaches to intervention may be needed. Importantly, this study did not identify intersecting sexual risk and substance use behaviors as moderators of EMPWR effectiveness, suggesting that NA adults with varying levels of risk behavior may be equally likely to benefit from this intervention.

Improving communication between American Indian youth and caregivers to prevent teenage pregnancy.

American Indian (AI) youth are at increased risk for poor reproductive health outcomes. Parental communication and monitoring are established predictors of sexual risk-taking among adolescents. No program evaluations of sexual risk avoidance programs have focused exclusively on AI youth and parents. This study assesses the impact of the Respecting the Circle of Life (RCL) Teenage Pregnancy Prevention program on parent-youth communication and parental monitoring through a randomized controlled trial with AI youth ages 11-19 and their trusted adults (parents/caregivers) (N = 518). RCL consists of 8-peer group and one parent-youth session. Trusted adult participants completed the Parental Monitoring Scale and the Parent Adolescent Communication Scale at baseline and 3 and 9 months post-intervention via self-report. Intervention impact was evaluated using linear regression models, which included an indicator for study group. At 3 months post, trusted adults in the intervention reported significantly higher levels of sexual health communication (P = 0.042) and spoke to their child more often about how to get condoms (P = 0.001), get birth control (P = 0.014) and protect themselves from human immunodeficiency virus (P = 0.005) compared with trusted adults in the control condition. Program impact varied by age and sex. This study adds to literature and extends findings on RCL impact.

'Empowering our people' to address depression, violence, and sexual risk among Native Americans with recent binge alcohol use.

Background: This study was launched in response to an American Indian (AI) community's concern regarding the comorbid occurrence of substance use, poor mental health, and other risk factors on sexual health. The purpose of this manuscript was to assess the relationship between alcohol use, violence, depression and STI/HIV risk behaviors on the frequency of unprotected sex acts and number of sexual partners among AI adults.Methods: Specifically, this analysis examines sociodemographic characteristics, experience of sexual and physical violence, binge drinking, depression, and sexual risk taking among n = 281 AI adults ages 18-55. Regression models examine associations between the aforementioned risk factors, number of sex partners and number of unprotected sex acts, by depression status and sex, among participants.Results: Frequent binge drinking predicted frequency of unprotected sex for both males and females; ever experiencing physical violence was a powerful predictor of unprotected sex for females, but not males. Ever experiencing physical violence strongly predicted having multiple sexual partners for females but was related to decreased number of sexual partners for males. Females ever experiencing sexual violence had more sexual partners; this was not observed for males. Binge drinking predicted frequency of unprotected sex acts, regardless of depression status.Discussion: Interventions for AI adults seeking to reduce sexual health risk should reflect past violence victimization in sexual decision making, primarily among women. The significant role of binge alcohol use for modifying sexual decisions should be of prime focus and interventions should be personalized to address individuals' own alcohol use patterns. Additional research should explore how binge alcohol use moderates the relationship between depression and sexual risk.

Empowering our people: Predictors of retention in an STI risk reduction program among rural Native Americans with binge substance use.

PURPOSE: Substance use and sexual risk-taking have been shown to co-occur. Programs focused on sexually transmitted infections (STIs) reduction may benefit substance-using, particularly binge substance-using, adults. This is especially true for rural Native American communities who endure sexual and substance use disparities and have few STI risk reduction programs. This study explores factors predicting retention in an STI risk reduction program among rural Native adults engaged in binge substance use. METHODS: We analyzed data from 150 Native adults ages 18-55 participating in an evaluation of "EMPWR," a 2-session STI risk reduction program in a rural, reservation-based community. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate associations between independent variables and program completion across demographics, sexual behaviors, substance use behaviors, mental health, recent health care utilization, and perceived enculturation and discrimination. FINDINGS: The sample was 49.2% (n = 59) female with a mean age of 33.61 years (SD = 8.25). Twenty-six completed only the first EMPWR session, 94 completed both EMPWR sessions, and 30 were randomized but completed 0 sessions. Being married/cohabiting (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.40, P = .0063) and living with an older generation (AOR = 4.86, P = .0058) were significantly associated with higher odds of completing EMPWR. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide insight on factors driving retention of Natives with recent binge substance use in STI risk reduction programming. An important contribution to Native health literature is that living with an older generation positively predicted EMPWR program completion, suggesting that STI risk reduction programs should harness the strength of families to ensure program attendance and optimize impacts in rural reservation contexts.

Community Perspectives on Social Influences on Suicide Within a Native American Reservation.

Relative to the general population, Native Americans (NA) bear a disproportionate burden of suicide-related mortality rates. NA males and females aged 15 to 24 years experience suicide rates nearly 3 times than the U.S. all races rates in this age group. Although efforts have been made to understand and reduce suicide in tribal communities, a large portion has focused on individual characteristics with less attention given to social factors that may also inform suicide. This article aims to build on a local conceptual model of NA youth suicide by examining additional potential social factors through qualitative interviews. Findings from the thematic analysis resulted in the identification of seven perceived social influences: contagion, violence and abuse, discrimination and bullying, negative expectations, spirituality, social support, and cultural strengths. Public health approaches to reduce suicide should consider local social factors that resonate with tribal communities to build resilience.

Impacts of the respecting the circle of life teen pregnancy prevention program on risk and protective factors for early substance use among native American youth.

BACKGROUND: Early substance use disproportionately impacts Native American (Native) youth and increases their risk for future abuse and dependence. The literature urges for interventions to move beyond focusing on single risk behaviors (e.g. substance use) and instead have capacity to improve health risk behaviors co-occuring during adolescence, particularly among Native populations for whom few evidence-based interventions (EBI) exist. We evaluated the effectiveness of the Respecting the Circle of Life program (RCL) on risk and protective factors for early substance use. RCL is a culturally tailored EBI shown to improve sexual health outcomes among Native youth. METHODS: We conducted secondary analyses of data collected through a community-based randomized controlled trial of RCL evaluated among Native youth (ages 11-19) residing on a rural reservation between 2015-2020 (N = 534, 47.4 % male). We used linear regression, controlling for baseline age and sex, to test between study group differences in outcomes at 3-, 9-, and 12-month post-intervention. Models were stratified by sex and age (11-12, 13-14, and 15+ years of age) to examine differences within these subgroups. RESULTS: Youth receiving RCL reported lower intention to use substances through 12-months follow-up (p = 0.006). Statistically significant improvements were also observed across peer, parent, and sexual partner risk and protective factors to delay substance use initiation, with notable differences among boys and participants ages 13-14. CONCLUSIONS: RCL is a primary prevention, skills-based program effective in preventing risks for substance use. This evaluation underscores the value in developing programs that influence concurrent adolescent risk behaviors, especially for Native communities who endure multiple health disparities.

Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Pregnancy Prevention Among Native American Youths: A Randomized Controlled Trial, 2016-2018.

Objectives. To evaluate the efficacy of the Respecting the Circle of Life program (RCL) among Native American youths 11 to 19 years of age residing in a rural reservation community in the southwestern United States. Methods. Between 2016 and 2018, we conducted a randomized controlled trial of the RCL program with 534 Native youths. Participants completed assessments at baseline and 9 and 12 months after the intervention. We conducted intention-to-treat analyses based on study group randomization. Results. At 9 months, intervention participants had significantly better condom use self-efficacy (P < .001), higher intentions to use condoms (P = .024) and abstain from sex (P = .008), and better contraceptive use self-efficacy (P < .001) than control participants, as well as better condom use (P = .032) and contraceptive use (P = .002) negotiation skills. At 12 months, intervention participants had significantly better sexual and reproductive health knowledge (P = .021), condom use self-efficacy (P < .001), contraceptive use self-efficacy (P < .001), and contraceptive use negotiation skills (P = .004) than control participants. Intervention participants reported significantly more communication with their parents about sexual and reproductive health than control participants at both 9 and 12 months (P = .042 and P = .001, respectively). Conclusions. The RCL program has a significant impact on key factors associated with pregnancy prevention among Native youths and should be used as an adolescent pregnancy prevention strategy. Trial Registration.  Clinical Trials.gov identifier: NCT02904629. (Am J Public Health. 2021;111(10): 1874-1884. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306447).

"Empowering Our People": Impact of a Culturally Adapted Evidence-Based Intervention on Sexually Transmitted Infection Risks Among Native Americans With Binge Substance Use.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate a culturally adapted evidence-based intervention called EMPWR (Educate, Motivate, Protect, Wellness and Respect) for impacts on sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening and sexual health risk behaviors. METHODS: We enrolled Native American adults with recent binge substance use from a rural, reservation community in the Southwest into a 1:1 randomized controlled trial conducted on July 2015 to June 2019. All participants were offered non-clinic-based self-administered STI screening. Data were collected via self-report at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after the intervention. Baseline and end line data are presented. RESULTS: Three hundred one participants were enrolled and had a mean age of 33.8 years; 46.5% of the sample were female, and 9.1% were employed at baseline. EMPWR participants were more likely to complete STI self-screening than control participants (38.2% vs. 23.8%, P = 0.0275). EMPWR participants reported fewer unprotected sex acts in the past 3 months (9.3 vs. 16.0, P = 0.001) and were more likely to refuse sex if their partner was not tested (23.6% vs. 12.4%, P = 0.049). The between-group difference in STI positivity 1 year after study completion was nearing statistical significance (intervention: 39.5% vs. control: 59.6%, P = 0.0575). CONCLUSIONS: The culturally adapted evidence-based intervention, EMPWR, increased uptake of STI screening and refusal of sex if partner was not STI tested and decreased the frequency of unprotected sex acts among Native American adults with recent binge substance use living on a rural reservation. Future research is needed to examine EMPWR impacts among other Native American subgroups and its potential for advancing sexual health equity in this high-priority population.

Predictors of Sexually Transmitted Infection Positivity Among Substance-Using Native American Adults.

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a public health crisis with Native Americans suffering a high burden of disease. Studies across gender and racial/ethnic groups have found varying risk factors associated with STI positivity. Understanding how risk factors are associated with STI positivity can help design interventions for those most at risk. METHODS: Participants were Native American binge substance using adults enrolled in a randomized controlled trial evaluating a brief intervention to increase STI screening and reduce sexual risk-taking behaviors. Participants completed a self-report assessment at baseline that included questions about sexual risk factors and STI testing behaviors and diagnosis. This analysis includes those who had ever completed an STI test at baseline. Bivariate and multivariate analyses using logistical regression were utilized to identify associations between risk factors and past STI diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 193 people were included in the analysis. Over half (50.6%) of the participants had ever been diagnosed with an STI. Risk behaviors varied by gender. More women with a self-reported history of STI reported having sex with someone they thought had an STI, past experience of physical/sexual violence, and having passed out from drinking. Men with a self-reported history of STI were more likely to report past marijuana and other drug use. Among women with a self-reported history of STI, having sex with someone they thought had an STI was associated with STI positivity, whereas other drug use was associated with STI positivity among men with a self-reported history of STI. CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide information for those working to reduce STIs in Native Communities to better identify and design programs for those at highest risk for STIs. Additional studies examining gender dynamics and sexual risk taking among native adults are warranted.

Predictors of Responsiveness Among American Indian Adolescents to a Community-Based HIV-Risk Reduction Intervention Over 12 Months.

This analysis explored predictors of responsiveness to the Respecting the Circle of Life (RCL) intervention, a sexual and reproductive health program for American Indian (AI) youth. Data were collected over 12-month follow-up with 267 AI youth aged 13-19. We used mixed effects regression models to examine: (1) whether trajectory patterns of HIV/AIDS knowledge, condom beliefs, condom use self-efficacy, condom use intention and partner negotiation skills differed by baseline levels categorized into low, medium, and high scorers, and (2) the characteristics of youth who made no improvement over the post-intervention period. Results indicate the RCL intervention had greater longitudinal impact among subgroups with low and medium initial scores. High initial scores in knowledge, beliefs, efficacy, intention and skills predicted unresponsiveness to the RCL intervention. Youth differences in age, gender and school truancy (skipping/suspension) did not predict responsiveness to RCL. Results have important prevention science implications: (1) AI youth at greater risk (i.e., those with low initial levels of knowledge, beliefs, self-efficacy, intention and skills) are likely to respond to RCL and should be the target of replication and dissemination efforts. (2) Responsiveness analyses can guide adaptation of RCL and other sexual and reproductive health programs for AI youth to improve efficacy among unresponsive subgroups (i.e., high initial scorers). (3) RCL is equally likely to impact AI youth across different ages, genders and school status, thus validating population-wide implementation strategies.

Self-efficacy and response-efficacy: critical components of sexual and reproductive health interventions targeting condom use intention among American Indian adolescents.

The Respecting the Circle of Life (RCL) intervention is a comprehensive, skills-based sexual/reproductive health program shown to be effective for reducing sexual risk among American Indian (AI) adolescents (13-19 years of age). This paper seeks to identify critical program components of the RCL intervention for replication of impacts on condom use intention (CUI) when scaling to additional communities. RCL was tested among AI adolescents through a cluster randomized controlled trial (N = 267) embedded in an 8-day basketball camp. Data were collected at baseline, immediately post-camp, at 6 and 12 months post-camp. Previously established predictors of CUI that were statistically significantly impacted by RCL at the post-camp time point were tested as mediators of RCL impact on CUI. Condom use self-efficacy and response efficacy fully mediated the effect of RCL on CUI. The indirect path through condom use self-efficacy had the greatest effect on CUI, explaining 79% of the direct effect. When stratified by gender, there was only evidence of mediation among girls. Results indicate condom use self-efficacy and response efficacy are critical components of the RCL intervention for AI girls, and sexual/reproductive health programs should include practical skills training to improve these constructs to maximize intervention impact on CUI.

"Let our Apache Heritage and Culture Live on Forever and Teach the Young Ones": Development of The Elders' Resilience Curriculum, an Upstream Suicide Prevention Approach for American Indian Youth.

The White Mountain Apache Tribe have developed an innovative curriculum that connects youth through Elders to their heritage, traditions, and culture, which has been proven to be a protective factor for native Americans. The development process took 4½ years and included community stakeholder buy-in, Elders' Council group formation, extensive formative work to identify content, iterative feedback between curriculum writers and Elders, and Elder training prior to implementation. Members of the Elders' Council have been visiting the local schools to teach youth about the Apache culture, language, and way of life since February 2014 reaching over 1000 youth. This approach demonstrates a promising upstream suicide prevention strategy. We discuss the process of development, implementation, and lessons learned, as this curriculum has potential for adaptation by other Indigenous communities.

Risk and Protective Factors Associated With Lifetime Sexual Experience Among Rural, Reservation-Based American Indian Youth.

Early sexual initiation is a catalyst for sexually transmitted infection and unintended pregnancy. American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth initiate sex prior to age 13 more often than other U.S. youth, contributing to current inequalities in sexual health. Identifying what factors were associated with lifetime sexual experience among AI/AN youth can inform the development of primary prevention programming to delay sexual initiation, alleviate the costs of early sexual activity, and improve sexual health outcomes in this population. We analyzed cross-sectional data from 267 AI youth ages 13-19, recruited from a rural, reservation-based community. We used multivariate logistic regression models to estimate associations between independent variables and lifetime sexual experience (vaginal and/or anal sex) across the following categories: sociodemographic, knowledge, attitudes/perceptions, beliefs, intentions, skills, behaviors, and theoretical constructs. The sample was 56.2% female, mean age 15.1 years (SD = 1.7), and 22.5% were sexually experienced. In our final model, condom use self-efficacy (attitude/perception factor) and intentions to remain abstinent until marriage (intention factor) were associated with lower odds of lifetime sexual experience. Age (sociodemographic factor), intention to have sex (intention factor), use of any contraception (behavior factor), and higher response efficacy (theoretical construct) were associated with lifetime sexual experience. Of these, intention to have sex was the strongest indicator. These results both corroborate and contrast with other research conducted among rural, reservation-based AI/AN youth. Our findings show programs targeting intentions may have the greatest impact among reservation-based AI youth, and justify program delivery stratified by age group in this setting.

Rigorous evaluation of a pregnancy prevention program for American Indian youth and adolescents: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: American Indian adolescents have one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy and repeat teen births in the US. Substance use is a significant risk factor for unprotected sex, and American Indian adolescents have the highest substance use-related morbidity and mortality of any US racial group. Despite these disparities, there are no existing, evidence-based programs for pregnancy prevention that have been rigorously evaluated among American Indian teens. METHODS: The proposed study is a randomized controlled trial to test the efficacy of a comprehensive sexual and reproductive health program developed in partnership with an American Indian community. Participants will be American Indians ages 11-19 and their parent or trusted adult, randomized to receive the control condition or intervention called Respecting the Circle of Life: Mind, Body and Spirit. The intervention includes eight lessons delivered to self-selected peer groups during a summer basketball camp and one lesson delivered to the youth and parent/trusted adult together within 3 months after camp. All lessons are administered by trained community health workers from the participating American Indian community. Youth and parent/trusted adult participants will complete assessments at baseline, 3, 9, 12, 24 and 36 months post-intervention completion. The primary outcome variables are sexual/reproductive health knowledge, sexual initiation, condom use self-efficacy and intent to use a condom at next sex as changed from baseline to post-intervention between intervention and control participants. Selected primary outcomes are applicable to all study participants. DISCUSSION: Currently there are no sexual and reproductive health programs designed specifically for American Indian youth that have been rigorously evaluated and found to have an evidence base. Respecting the Circle of Life is highly innovative by incorporating lesson delivery into a summer basketball camp and involving parents or other trusted adults in curriculum administration. If found successful, it will be the first evidence-based program for teen pregnancy prevention for American Indian youth and adolescents. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02904629 . Retrospectively registered on 23 September 2016.

The Impact of a Sexual and Reproductive Health Intervention for American Indian Adolescents on Predictors of Condom Use Intention.

PURPOSE: American Indian (AI) adolescents experience inequalities in sexual health, in particular, early sexual initiation. Condom use intention is an established predictor of condom use and is an important construct for evaluating interventions among adolescents who are not yet sexually active. This analysis evaluated the impact of Respecting the Circle of Life (RCL), a sexual and reproductive health intervention for AI adolescents, on predictors of condom use intention. METHODS: We utilized a cluster randomized controlled trial design to evaluate RCL among 267 AIs ages 13-19. We examined baseline psychosocial and theoretical variables associated with condom use intention. Generalized estimating equation regression models determined which baseline variables predictive of condom use intention were impacted. RESULTS: Mean sample age was 15.1 years (standard deviation 1.7) and 56% were female; 22% had initiated sex. A larger proportion of RCL versus control participants had condom use intention post intervention (relative risk [RR] = 1.39, p = .008), especially younger (ages 13-15; RR = 1.42, p = .007) and sexually inexperienced adolescents (RR = 1.44, p = .01); these differences attenuated at additional follow-up. Baseline predictors of condom use intention included being sexually experienced, having condom use self-efficacy, as well as response efficacy and severity (both theoretical constructs). Of these, the RCL intervention significantly impacted condom use self-efficacy and response efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Results demonstrate RCL intervention efficacy impacting variables predictive of condom use intention at baseline, with greater differences among younger, sexually inexperienced adolescents. To sustain intervention impact, future RCL implementation should reinforce education and training in condom use self-efficacy and response efficacy and recruit younger, sexually inexperienced AI adolescents.

Risk and protective factors for heavy binge alcohol use among American Indian adolescents utilizing emergency health services.

BACKGROUND: American Indian (AI) adolescents are disproportionately burdened by alcohol abuse and heavy binge use, often leading to problematic drinking in adulthood. However, many AI communities also have large proportions of adults who abstain from alcohol. OBJECTIVE: To understand these concurrent and divergent patterns, we explored the relationship between risk and protective factors for heavy binge alcohol use among a reservation-based sample of AI adolescents. METHODS: Factors at individual, peer, family, and cultural/community levels were examined using a cross-sectional case-control study design. Cases were adolescents with recent heavy binge alcohol use that resulted in necessary medical care. Controls had no lifetime history of heavy binge alcohol use. 68 cases and 55 controls were recruited from emergency health services visits. Participants were 50% male; average age 15.4 years old, range 10 to 19. Independent variables were explored using logistic regression; those statistically significant were combined into a larger multivariate model. RESULTS: Exploratory analyses showed adolescents who were aggressive, impulsive, had deviant peers, poor family functioning or more people living at home were at greater risk for heavy binge alcohol use. Protective factors included attending school, family closeness, residential stability, social problem-solving skills, having traditional AI values and practices, and strong ethnic identity. Confirmatory analysis concluded that school attendance and residential stability reduce the probability of heavy binge alcohol use, even among those already at low risk. CONCLUSIONS: Findings deepen the understanding of AI adolescent heavy binge alcohol use and inform adolescent intervention development fostering trajectories to low-risk drinking and abstinence.