You have full access to this open access article. Health profiles included demographics, sexual orientation, sexual activity, STI testing, cigarette use, and suicide attempts in the past months. We used t-tests and chi square tests of independence to compare risk behavior prevalence among the sample. Differences in cigarette smoking were observed in questioning youth questioning: Further, our findings underscore the need for culturally-relevant curricula like native STAND, not because their health behavior is different, but because their socio-ecologic environment is different.
During adolescence, risky health behaviors, such as early sexual debut or alcohol and drug misuse, are associated with negative outcomes that track into adulthood McCabe et al. The available data is frequently limited in scope; results are often from a small number of communities or residential Bureau of Indian Education BIE schools Beauvais et al. Beauvais et al. Studies with larger sample sizes have echoed these results. Stanley et al. The health behaviors for Native youth are not monolithic; however, there are regional variations in behavior across Native communities de Ravello et al.
AI youth living in urban settings might be more vulnerable to substance use than AI youth living in rural and reservation settings Kulis et al. LaFromboise and Dizon examined risk-taking in urban AI youth and found that the lack of cultural ties and kinship systems experienced by some urban AI youth might contribute to risky health behaviors Access to cultural activities and connections has also been shown to be protective. Borowsky et al. Native STAND is a session curriculum based on the STAND intervention, which was designed and evaluated among rural youth in the southern United States and found to promote condom self-efficacy, STI risk behavior knowledge, and conversations with peers about other sexual health topics among participating students.
This study found positive results, with increases in confidence, self-esteem, and youth involvement in culture and community Rushing et al. Previous Native STAND reports show promise, but more research is needed to classify it as an evidence-based curriculum. All instruments were reviewed and approved by the IRB before data collection took place. Consistent with a culturally-centered, health equity approach, our Native STAND team and authors of this manuscript include members of 2 American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, 1 sexual minority group, 8 gender minorities in research, all have been historically underrepresented in research and publications.
From November to March , we recruited Tribes and youth-serving organizations in Indian Country and Alaska to join one of three cohorts of sites who participated in the study. At the end of the recruitment period, a convenience sample of 48 sites, selected an educator to attend an all-expense paid week-long training on the Native STAND program in Portland, OR.
