Cicero

Latina teens aged 14 to 18 and their female caregivers face unique challenges related to sexual and reproductive health, including a higher risk of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, and unplanned pregnancy. This research evaluates the Floreciendo workshop, designed to support Latina teens and their caregivers in improving communication and knowledge about sexual health. The study uses a pilot optimization trial with a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design to explore the feasibility and acceptability of different components of the workshop, partnering with community organizations in the Chicagoland area. The Floreciendo workshop includes four two-hour sessions covering sexual risk prevention foundations, condoms and contraception, family strengthening, and gender and relationships. All participants receive the foundational session, and groups are randomly assigned combinations of the other three sessions. Activities include separate and joint exercises for teens and caregivers, focusing on enhancing communication, awareness of sexual risks, and understanding healthy relationships within Latino cultural contexts. Participants will be teen-caregiver pairs who complete baseline assessments and follow-up roughly six months later. Researchers will collect data on the feasibility of the factorial trial design and how acceptable the intervention components are to participants. They will also explore effectiveness and implementation outcomes. The study is expected to last about 2.5 years, measuring outcomes like participant engagement and workshop impact on sexual and reproductive health knowledge and behaviors.