Feasibility and efficacy of a student nurse-delivered, parent-based sexual health curriculum in underserved communities: A pilot randomized-controlled trial

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and initial efficacy of a student nurse-led, parent-based adolescent sexual health curriculum delivered in underserved communities. Using a randomized controlled trial design, we conducted a pilot study with parents of 11-to 14-year-olds to determine the feasibility and initial efficacy of the intervention on parent-child communication, parental beliefs, and parental monitoring. Treatment group parents received the Families Talking Together intervention during a face-to-face session followed by a booster call two weeks post-intervention. The sample (N = 39) was predominately female (79%), 31 to 40 years old, and African American or Hispanic (89%). Most parents lived with one to three children (91%), were single (63%), and had completed high school (76%). At the one-month follow up, the frequency of parent-child communication was significantly higher in the intervention arm than in the control arm (t =-2.13, p = 0.0399). Differences in parental-perceived susceptibility of their adolescent to sexual intercourse and parental monitoring approached significance. No differences were found between the groups in parent-child connectedness, communication intentions, beliefs, or barriers. A student nurse-led model of delivering a parent-based adolescent sexual health intervention is feasible and effective. This dual-purpose dissemination model has the potential to increase parent-child sexual health communication and reach underserved families in the community setting while engaging student nurses in public health promotion and nursing research.