This study is a randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of the Peer Group Connection - Middle School (PGC-MS) intervention on pre-sexual behaviors and sexual initiation in middle school-aged youth. The primary research questions it aims to answer are: 1. What is the impact of the offer to participate in PGC-MS relative to the control group on participants' reported initiation of sexual intercourse at sixteen months post-intervention? 2. What is the impact of the offer to participate in PGC-MS relative to the control group on participants' reports of ever smoking a cigarette at four months post-intervention? 3. What is the impact of the offer to participate in PGC-MS relative to the control group on participants' reports of ever using an electronic vapor product at four months post-intervention? 4. What is the impact of the offer to participate in PGC-MS relative to the control group on participants' reports of ever having a drink of alcohol at four months post-intervention? 5. What is the impact of the offer to participate in PGC-MS relative to the control group on participants' reports of ever using marijuana at four months post-intervention? Researchers will compare participants randomized to receive PGC-MS (treatment group) to participants randomized to class-as-usual (which contains no sexual or reproductive health information (control group)). Participants randomized to the treatment group will be offered PGC-MS over the course of their transition year into middle school (6th grade). Participants randomized to the control group will be offered class-as-usual.
Age range
11 Years – 14 Years
Sex
ALL
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Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
Initiation of sexual intercourse
Timeframe: Assessed 16 months after the intervention period has ended (beginning of the second fall semester following the end of the program)
Ever smoked a cigarette
Timeframe: Assessed 4 months after the intervention period has ended (beginning of the first fall semester following the end of the program)
Ever used an electronic vapor product
Timeframe: Assessed 4 months after the intervention period has ended (beginning of the first fall semester following the end of the program)
Ever had a drink of alcohol
Timeframe: Assessed 4 months after the intervention period has ended (beginning of the first fall semester following the end of the program)
Ever used marijuana
Timeframe: Assessed 4 months after the intervention period has ended (beginning of the first fall semester following the end of the program)