ALL 4 HARDIN COUNTY FRESHMAN!

Within this application for funding the Lincoln Trail Health Department proposes an evidenced based intervention for implementation into two high schools in the Hardin County with the long term goals of decreasing the rate of sexually transmitted infections in the county. The LTHD based in Elizabethtown, Kentucky services six counties in central Kentucky. The community health needs assessment and community health improvement plans for the county highlighted the problem of sexually transmitted infections in the community. The Centers for Disease Control also produces data about the higher rate of STIs in Hardin county in respect to Kentucky and the US overall and the age at highest risk for STIs in the nation (those aged 15-24). The LTHD will implement the program ALL4YOU2! Into freshman Health/PE classes at the schools identified. ALL4YOU2! uses a variety of interacting and engaging strategies to deliver an evidence based program aimed at reducing rates of STIs and unintended pregnancy by reducing the number of students who have unprotected sex in addition to changing attitudes, beliefs, and perceived norms around sexual risk takings. Implementing the program in the freshman class will hit those at highest risk for STIs in a setting where they are easy to access. Short term goals of the program will be related to lesson content and will be reducing frequency of unprotected intercourse, increasing knowledge of correct condom use, knowledge and risk perceptions about STIs, and communication skills among participants. Nancy Turner, MPH and director of the LTHD will act as program director, Cortney Gandy, MPH and director of community health services at the LTHD will lead the rest of the program staff in the 6-month planning period, implementation, data collection, and evaluation of the program