Overview
The goal of this randomized trial is to learn if the Peer Group Connection - Middle School (PGC-MS) intervention delays initiation of sexual intercourse in middle school-aged youth. The primary research question it aims to answer is:
Sixteen months after being offered the intervention, does PGC-MS impact youth's initiation of sexual intercourse?
Researchers will compare participants randomized to receive PGC-MS (treatment group) to participants randomized to class-as-usual (which contains no sexual or reproductive health information (control group)).
Participants randomized to the treatment group will be offered PGC-MS over the course of their transition year into middle school (either 6th or 7th grade). Participants randomized to the control group will be offered class-as-usual.
Description
This is an individual-level, randomized control trial to rigorously evaluate the impact of the Peer Group Connection - Middle School (PGC-MS) intervention. Participant outcomes will be assessed using self-reported, individual-level data gathered using a structured questionnaire administered at four time points: baseline (fall semester of 6th or 7th grade); post-intervention (spring semester of 6th or 7th grade); four months post-intervention (fall semester of 7th or 8th grade); and sixteen months post-intervention (fall semester of 8th or 9th grade).
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Be enrolled at a middle school participating in the study
- Entering the middle school transition grade for the first time (6th or 7th grade depending on the middle school transition year) at a participating study school
- Provide parental consent and student assent to participate in the study
- Have the ability to complete a self-administered questionnaire in either English or Spanish in a classroom or group setting, unassisted, in 60 minutes or less.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Repeating the middle school transition year (6th or 7th grade)