The Focus on Youth (FOY) study was originally conducted in the 1990s and was then added to the CDC’s Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions list in April, 2008. The goal of the program is to provide African-American youth, ages 9 to 15, with the skills and knowledge that are necessary to protect themselves against STDs, particularly HIV. The program was assessed on whether a developmentally and culturally tailored intervention based on social-cognitive theory and delivered to naturally formed peer groups recruited from community settings can have long-term effects and also increase self-reported condom use.

The parent portion of FOY, called ImPACT, is ideally delivered prior to the youth component. ImPACT is conducted one-on-one with the parent, child, and a facilitator whom the parents consider to be credible. During this session, the facilitator watches a video with the parent and child that depicts the importance of open discussion between parents and children about sex, abstinence, STDs, and condoms.

The youth component is conducted with between six and 10 youth at a time. These groups are either friendship groups or venue-based, such as basketball teams or scout troops, in order to strengthen peer support. During the sessions, youth participate in culturally-appropriate, interactive activities that are led by two facilitators. Participants are trained in assertive communication, refusal skills related to abstinence or safer sex behaviors, and proper condom use skills.

The goal of Focus on Youth is to teach youth the skills and knowledge they need to protect themselves from HIV and other STDs.

The Focus on Youth intervention increased self-reported condom use and positively affected perceptions six months after the end of the program.

One evaluation of the Focus on Youth program was conducted with 206 intervention participants and 177 controls pulled from 76 naturally formed peer groups consisting of African-American youths 9 to 15 years of age. A theory-based, culturally, and developmentally tailored survey instrument that assessed perceptions, intentions, and self-reported sexual behaviors was administered to participants at baseline and again six and 12 months following the intervention.

The study reported that, at the six-month follow-up, self-reported condom use rates were 85% in the intervention group and only 61% in the control group, a difference that is significant at the p<0.05 level. Results at six months were strongest among boys (85% for the intervention group compared to 57% for the control group; p<0.05) and among early teens 13 to 15 years old (95% for the intervention group compared to 60% for the control group; p<0.01).

Although differences were not sustained at a significant level at the 12-month follow-up, self-reported condom use still remained higher in the intervention group at that time.