Event One: Strengthening Our Practice: Refining Our Aim __________________________________________________________________________ Ask Us About - 1.1 San Francisco __________________________________________________________________________
San Diego team members, left to right: Susanne Reno,
Marge Kleinsmith, and Maggie Silva
San Diego HIV Prevention
HIV Prevention: Condom Use Increases -
Let's Keep It Up!
San Diego Unified School District has had a steady decline in the number of students having sexual intercourse, from a high of 48% in 1991 to the current rate of 39% in 2009. While this is a very positive trend among students who are currently sexually active, condom use has been less consistent. Since 1991, we've seen condom use go up from just 43% to approximately 60%, where it has remained for several years.
Although a condom demonstration is required in grades 8-12 as part of HIV/STD prevention instruction, we found that implementation varied from site to site. In order to increase efficacy, we asked our agency partners to assist the HIV Resource Teacher in delivering the prevention lessons in grades 9-12.
We are fortunate to have strong partnerships with five community agencies, including: Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties, YMCA Teen Link, Family Health Centers of San Diego, Operation Samahan, and Family Cares.
Agency health educators attend professional development events to learn about district policies and procedures. We ask agency staff to implement district-approved curriculum to ensure that students receive consistent messages.
We feel fortunate to have these health educators in our classrooms. Their expertise in talking to youth about contraceptive use and clinic services strengthens the message about the importance of using condoms.
During the 2008 and 2009 school years, approximately 95% of students in grades 9-12 received an HIV/STD lesson that included a condom demonstration, information on condom availability, and HIV/STD testing.
Our 2009 YRBS data showed that the number of students who have ever had sex, and the number who were currently sexually active remained stable. It also showed that condom use increased 8.5%, from 57% in 2007 to 65.5% in 2009.
We're confident that our youth are receiving factual and consistent messages not only about abstinence, but about the importance of using condoms when engaging in sexual activity.
