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Abstract

Purpose:

This quasi-experimental pilot study evaluated the preliminary efficacy of training designed to increase child welfare workers’ (N = 156) knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to communicating with youth involved in the child welfare system about sexual and reproductive health (SRH).

Method:

Preintervention and 3-month follow-up survey data were collected from intervention participants (n = 69) who registered for a sexual health training and comparison participants (n = 87) who registered for other child welfare trainings.

Results:

Participants in the SRH training showed more positive behavioral beliefs, self-efficacy, and knowledge of SRH compared to date- and region-matched comparison participants at the 3-month follow-up; there was no difference between the groups on intentions or past month communication with clients regarding SRH.

Conclusion:

Findings suggest that although SRH training may be effective in changing child welfare workers’ attitudes about SRH, additional efforts may be needed to alter intentions and behaviors.

Keywords

sexual and reproductive health child welfare youth in foster care training

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A Quasi-Experimental Study on Training Child Welfare Workers on Youth Sexual Health

Abstract

Purpose:

Method:

Results:

Conclusion:

Keywords

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References