FOCUS
FOCUS was designed to be delivered in diverse program settings. It was evaluated in a classroom-based setting during the first 13-week period of Marine recruit training.
1580 W. El Camino Real, Suite 8
Mountain View, CA 94040
Ph: 650-949-3282
Email: socio@socio.com
Website: https://www.socio.com/products/pasha-focus-preventing-sexually-transmitted-infections-and-unwanted-pregnancies-among-young-women
FOCUS has a fidelity toolkit and checklist, tools for monitoring program implementation, and evaluation instruments. Telephone technical support on implementation and evaluation is also provided by Sociometrics for one year with purchase of the program materials.
Last updated in 2023
The data presented on this page reflects responses from the program’s developer or distributor to a program component checklist that asked them to report on the individual components within their TPP program. The same program component checklist was sent to the developer or distributor of every active TPP program with evidence of effectiveness. The program component table provides data on seven types of program components including content, delivery mechanism, dosage, staffing, format, environment, and intended population characteristics; whether the component was present or optional in the program; whether the component is considered to be core to the program; and the lesson number or activity where the component can be found in the program. For more details, refer to the FAQ.
Category | Component | Core Component | Component present | Notes | Lesson number(s) / activities where present |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Content | Graduating from high school | No | |||
Content | Connections with trusted adults | No | |||
Content | Other | ||||
Content | Volunteering/civic engagement | No | |||
Content | Spirituality | No | |||
Content | Morals/values | No | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Identity development | No | |||
Content | Social support/capital | No | |||
Content | Social influence/actual vs. perceived social norms | No | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Social competence | ||||
Content | Parenting skills | No | |||
Content | Normative beliefs | Yes | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Leadership | No | |||
Content | Gender roles | Yes | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Gender identity | No | |||
Content | Cultural values | No | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Conflict resolution/social problem solving | No | |||
Content | Communication skills | Yes | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Child development | No | |||
Content | Boundary setting/refusal skills | No | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Substance use cessation | No | |||
Content | Substance use - Other drugs | No | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Substance use - Alcohol | Yes | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Substance use - Abstinence | Yes | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Brain development and substance use | No | |||
Content | Vocational/skills training | No | |||
Content | Supplemental academic services | No | |||
Content | School engagement | No | |||
Content | College preparation | No | |||
Content | Alternative schooling | No | |||
Content | Self-regulation | No | |||
Content | Self-esteem | No | |||
Content | Self-efficacy/empowerment | No | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Resilience | No | |||
Content | Personal vulnerability | No | |||
Content | Reproduction | No | |||
Content | STIs - Screening | Yes | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | STIs - Prevention | Yes | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | STIs - Information | Yes | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Sexual risk reduction | Yes | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Sexual risk avoidance | No | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Sexual orientation | No | |||
Content | Sexual health | Yes | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Motivational interviewing | No | |||
Content | Contraception - Other | Yes | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Sexual risk discontinuation | No | |||
Content | Anatomy/physiology | No | Yes (evaluated version) | Please note for all the content areas checked yes - the intervention's content included information on these topics as part of the whole intervention | |
Content | Contraception - Condoms | Yes | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Contraception - Long-acting reversible contraceptives | No | Yes (evaluated version) | ||
Content | Maternal health | No |
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The core content includes four 2-hour sessions. The sessions are broken into modules, which can be delivered separately.
- Session 1: Increase knowledge about unintended pregnancies and STDs including HIV/AIDS. Goal: Modify values, beliefs, and attitudes that impact sexual behavior.
- Session 2: Increase knowledge about hormonal and barrier contraceptives. Goal: Build communication skills to prevent risky sexual behaviors and increase condom use.
- Session 3: Increase knowledge about the signs, symptoms, and consequences of STDs/HIV/AIDS. Goals: Increase knowledge about the transmission and prevention of STDs/HIV; Build communication skills to prevent STDs/HIV.
- Session 4: Modify attitudes about the effects of alcohol and its relationship to sexual risk behaviors. Goals: Build refusal communication skills; Build condom use skills; Increase awareness about how life choices can impact decision-making and health.
The eight-hour curriculum is designed to be delivered in four 2-hour sessions. Groups should be 20 to 25 participants.
FOCUS facilitators are preferably female health educators or facilitators comfortable with sexual health subject matter.
- User's Guide
- Program Manual
- 1 Flash Drive Containing 11 Power Point Slide Sets
- 1 copy of each of these 4 DVDs: (1) Birth Control: Understanding the Options, (2) My First Pelvic Exam, (3) In Our Own Words: Teens and AIDS, (4) Good to Go.
- Video list
- 50 copies of two brochures (STD Facts and Birth Control Facts)
- Photocopy masters of all handouts
- Fidelity toolkit
- Original Evaluation Instruments booklet
- Prevention Minimum Evaluation Data Set (PMEDS)
- Local Evaluator Consultant Network Directory
While a free sample curriculum is not available, providers may purchase an automatic digital download of the user’s guide to review program components, core competencies for facilitators, and scientific evidence of effectiveness. If providers decide to purchase the program, the price of the download is deducted.
The program requires the use of a television and DVD player, a computer with PowerPoint capabilities, and a screen for showing PowerPoint presentations. Other materials needed for implementation include condoms, a penis proxy, and hard candies.
There are three allowable adaptations, however, all adaptations must be approved by the developer and Sociometrics. Potential adaptations include:
- The program can be implemented in different settings, such as clinics, community-based organizations, or schools/colleges.
- The program can be adapted for use with non-military women. This program cannot be adapted for men.
- It may be possible to deliver the sessions in longer or shorter segments.
Evidence by Outcome Domain and Study
Citation | Details |
---|---|
Flinders, B.A., (n.d.). Teenage Pregnancy Prevention: An Observational Study. Unpublished manuscript. |
This study did not meet the review's eligibility criteria |
Boyer, C. B., Shafer, M. A., Shaffer, R. A., Brodine, S. K., Pollack, L. M., Betsinger, K., et al. (2005). Evaluation of a cognitive-behavioral, group, randomized controlled intervention trial to prevent sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies in young women. Preventive Medicine, 40(4), 420-31. |
The program was evaluated in a cluster randomized controlled trial involving female Marine recruits who participated in the study during their first 13-week training period. Study participants were randomly assigned by platoon to either a treatment group that received the FOCUS intervention or a control group that received a health-promotion intervention on diet, physical activity, and cancer prevention. Surveys were administered immediately before the program (baseline) and at approximately one and eleven months after the program ended. Biological screening was conducted for pregnancy, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomonas. |
Flinders, B. (2013d). Participant Perspectives Of An Evidence-Based Pregnancy/STI Prevention Curriculum: The Importance Of Atmosphere, Active Learning, And Accurate Advice. American Journal of Health Sciences (AJHS), 4(3), 89-96. |
This study did not meet the review's screening criteria |
Flinders, B. A. (2013a). Using the Baccalaureate Essentials to create context: Evaluation of an innovative approach. Contemporary Issues in Eucation Research (CIER), 6(3), 305-310. |
This study did not meet the review's eligibility criteria |
Flinders, B. A. (2013b). Service-learning pedagogy: Benefits of a learning community approach. Journal of College Teaching & Learning (TLC), 10(3), 159-166. |
This study did not meet the review's screening criteria |
Flinders, B. A., Nicholson, L., Carlascio, A., & Gilb, K. (2013c). The partnership model for service-learning programs: A step-by-step approach. American Journal of Health Sciences (AJHS), 4(2), 67-78 |
This study did not meet the review's eligibility criteria |
Flinders, B. A., Gilb, K., & Neu, T. (2014). Teenage Pregnancy And Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention: A Pilot Study Exploring Knowledge And Reported Behaviors. American Journal of Health Sciences (AJHS), 5(2), 53-94. |
This study did not meet the review's screening criteria |
Bernstein, J. L., Flinders, B. A. (Eds.). (2017). Enhancing Teaching and Learning Through Collaborative Structures: New Directions for Teaching and Learning, Number 148. John Wiley Sons. |
This study did not meet the review's screening criteria |
Flinders, B. A. (2017). Improving Quality in Teen Pregnancy Prevention Through Effective Replication: A Mixed Methods Focus on Fidelity. Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice, 10(2), 149-154. |
This study did not meet the review's eligibility criteria |
Flinders, B. A., & Zehler, A. (2022). Quality Improvement in Teen Pregnancy Prevention: Follow-Up to a “Focus on Fidelity”. Journal of Doctoral Nursing Practice, 15(2), 105-111. |
This study did not meet the review's screening criteria |