Attachment 4b Youth Assent form

“Preventing HIV Risk Behaviors among Hispanic Adolescents”

Attachment 4b: Youth Assent Form (English Language)

“Preventing HIV Risk Behaviors among Hispanic Adolescents”

Youth Assent Form

Preventing HIV Risk Behaviors Among Hispanic Adolescents – Youth Assent Form

You are being asked to take part in a study by the University of Miami's Center for Family Studies and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We are asking you because you are Hispanic, live in Miami-Dade County, and are a 9^th grader at either Miami Senior High School or Coral Gables Senior High School. Here are the answers to some common questions about the study:

What is the purpose of the research?

The purpose of this study is to find out if a program will reduce HIV risk in Hispanic teens. Some risks include unsafe sex and drug use. This goal is important because Hispanic teens are at a greater risk for being involved in HIV risky behavior (drug use and unsafe sex) than other teens and Miami has the second highest HIV and AIDS rates in the U.S. We will try to do this by doing many things. First, we hope to improve the relationship between teens and their families. For example, we may help parents talk to their teens better. We also hope to help teens’ parents become more involved in their teen’s lives. Finally, we hope to reduce the chances that teens will use drugs or get involved in risky sexual behavior.

What will I be asked to do?

Surveys. If you agree to join the study, you will be asked to answer surveys about your family and about yourself. The topics asked include possible drug use and sexual activity. Some examples of these questions are: 1) “Do you avoid talking about the topic of sex with your mother” and 2) “How likely is it that you will decide to have sex in the next 3 months”. You will answer these questions on a laptop computer. You do not have to answer any questions that you do not want to. If you decide not to answer questions, nothing bad will happen to you. The survey sessions will last about 45 minutes to an hour. You will be answer surveys 4 times over the next 2 years: at the beginning of the study and 4, 12, and 24 months later. We are also asking for your consent to get your grades, test scores, discipline and attendance records from your school.

Programs. There will be two programs. Each family in the study will be placed into 1 of them. We cannot control which program your family will be placed in, but every family will have an equal chance of being placed in each program. Below we describe each of the two programs.

Program 1: In this program, your parents will be part of 5 group sessions with other teens’ parents and our staff. These group sessions are intended to help improve how you and yours parents talk to each other and help your parent talk to you about HIV/AIDS. After these sessions, you will complete homework assignments that will take about 20 minutes to complete. In addition to the group sessions and homework assignments, there will be 1 family visit that you will be asked to be a part of which will take about 1 hour.

Program 2: In this program, our staff will not offer you or your parent any services.

Can anything bad happen to me from being part of this study?

We do not expect that there will be any harm to you from being in this study. But, some of the questions in the surveys may ask you details you do not normally share with other people and they may make you feel embarrassed. Also, it is possible that you may feel tired after answering some of the surveys.

What will I get for being part of this study?

There may be no benefits to you for being a part of this study. But, you, your parent and/or your family may be less likely to use drugs, take part in risky behaviors, such as having sex without a condom. Also, depending on which program you are in, you may be able to talk to your family more easily.

Incentives.

You will not directly receive and incentive for participating in this study. But, your parent will receive a token of appreciation for their participation in this study.

What about my privacy?

What you tell us will be kept private to the extent allowed by law. If we think there may be child abuse or that a family member will cause harm to him/herself or to others, we are required by law to report this concern to the proper authorities. If a report is filed, we will refer you and your family to a mental health center that can help you.

We have applied for a Certificate of Confidentiality from the Federal Government for this study to help ensure your privacy. This Certificate means that the researchers cannot be forced to tell people who are not connected with the study, including courts, that you took part in this study without your written consent.

We will not tell your parents what you tell us without your consent. Similarly, we will not tell you what your parent(s) tell us without their consent. Second, nothing you tell us will be added into your school records. Third, we will not use your name in any of our records. Instead, we will give you a number. This code number will be used to protect your identity. Finally, we will ask you to enter your answers directly onto the computer.

You do not have to take part in this study if you do not want to and you can leave the study at any time. Nothing bad will happen to you if you decide to leave the study.

Future Studies

We may conduct future studies related to being involved in this study. If we do conduct these studies we will contact you at that future time to see if you would like to be part of the future study. If we have difficulty finding you, we may call your contact persons to find out where you are.

Assent Statement

I know that I can ask questions at any time during the study and they will be answered. I also know that I get a copy of the assent form. If I am not happy with the answers to my questions, I can call Guillermo Prado, Ph.D., during the daytime at (305) 243-2748.

I also know that if I have any questions about my rights as a research participant, I may contact Human Subjects Research Office, whose job it is to protect research participant for the University of Miami, at (305) 243-3195.

I agree_____ I do not agree_____ to be a part of the study described above, which I have read or has been explained to me by ____________________________________. (Please write your initial next to the correct line.)

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Youth Signature Date

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Person Asking for Consent Date

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