THE PLAN A INTERVENTION
Plan A is a 23-minute, entertainment-education video intervention designed to reduce unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people. It was developed through a grant from Office of Population Affairs, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the impact of Plan A found that the intervention was effective at reducing behavioral risk factors underlying teenage pregnancy. Outcomes observed among Plan A viewers were: increased STI and HIV testing, increased contraceptive knowledge, increased HIV/STI risk perception, lower frequency of unprotected sex, and increased long-acting reversible contraception use among new clinic visitors. Plan A viewers were also more likely to discuss a range of sexual health topics with providers.
Theoretical Framework
Plan A is grounded in the entertainment-education model. Entertainment-education is a process of creating and implementing an entertainment program to increase knowledge, change attitudes, and change behaviors among a target audience regarding a social or health issue. What makes entertainment-education powerful is that pro-health messages are a central component of the production yet there is no compromise in entertainment value. This approach draws audiences into the storylines and characters who deliver health messages and model healthy behaviors.
Why Was Plan A Developed?
In 2013, there were 277,749 births to women under 20 in the U.S. Older teens age 18-19 account for a large majority of teen births, most of which are unintended. The Office of Population Affairs had identified interventions designed for older adolescents (18-19) as a gap in the available evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs.
How was Plan A Developed?
Plan A was developed by Sentient Research using an iterative process involving multiple rounds of development and intensive input from target audience members and reproductive health clinic staff across the country. In addition, four experts in reproductive health provided regular feedback on storylines and script drafts to ensure medical accuracy and age appropriateness. An article detailing the program’s development was published in Health Promotion Practice in 2018.
PLAN A COMPONENTS
VIDEO
Three, inter-related “soap opera” style vignettes.
Animation
Two short animation segments about either:
- IUDs and the implant (original version) or
- Comprehensive contraceptive options and condoms (adapted version)
Resources
An optional handout of additional resources on contraception and STIs.
PLAN A STORYLINES: EVA’S STORY
Recently graduated from high school, Eva moves into her own apartment. Her best friends, Nicole and Chela, arrive to help her unpack. When her on-again off-again boyfriend Rick arrives, Nicole and Chela abruptly leave. Later that night, Rick persuades Eva to have sex without a condom, citing her use of birth control as justification. Two weeks later Eva calls the pharmacy where Nicole works and explains that she has a possible STI symptom. Nicole encourages her to go to a clinic to get an STI test. At the clinic, Eva learns she has chlamydia. The friendly doctor encourages Eva to get tested annually and gives her treatment for chlamydia, as well as patient-delivered partner treatment for Rick. The STI causes friction between Eva and Rick, but they reconcile until Eva discovers that Rick is cheating.
PLAN A STORYLINES: MICHELLE’S STORY
Eva, Nicole, and John (Nicole’s boyfriend) sit in Eva’s backyard. There is a raging party going on inside her house; word got out that Eva was having a few friends over and things got out of hand. Their good friend Michelle arrives with pizza from the restaurant where she works, but she has to leave abruptly when her babysitter unexpectedly texts her. Everyone is disappointed, and briefly discusses what a hard time Michelle is having as a young, single parent. The next day, Michelle and her co-worker Kevin are flirting at work. Michelle hasn’t been with anyone since she had her daughter, and she decides to get birth control before things go further. After meeting with a doctor and discussing her options, she decides to get an IUD. When Michelle and Kevin are about to have sex, she expresses her desire to use a condom as well. Kevin, also a single parent who wants to avoid another pregnancy, readily agrees. The next day, Michelle tells Eva, Nicole, and Chela all about her evening with Kevin. To everyone’s surprise, Chela reveals that she is seeing a woman.
PLAN A STORYLINES: CHELA’S STORY
Two months later, Nicole, Eva and Chela are hanging out in the park, waiting for John, and discussing their summer. Chela reveals she is lonely; she and her girlfriend split up when she left for college. Just then, John arrives with his friend Lance whom Chela had met at Eva’s party a few months back. As Chela and Lance play basketball, their attraction is obvious. The next day, Chela calls Nicole at the pharmacy in a panic. After hanging out at the park, she and Lance get caught up in the heat of the moment and have unprotected sex. She is afraid she will get pregnant; she had stopped taking birth control pills when she got together with her girlfriend. Chela goes to Nicole’s pharmacy to get emergency contraception. The next day, Eva, Nicole, Michelle, and Chela are sitting together in Eva’s backyard. They talk about emergency contraception, possible contraception side effects, and the importance of having honest communication with your provider. Chela says she wants a new doctor and a new contraception method. She goes to the clinic and discusses her sexual history and contraception options with her new doctor. In the final scene, as all of the friends prepare to go to their old high school for a football game, a surprise guest appears at the door.
Development Team
Plan A was developed by Sentient Research, Inc.
Reproductive health experts: Cornelis Rietmeijer, MD, PhD and Karin Coyle, PhD
Adolescent health experts: Jenna Gaarde, MPH and Michelle Cantu, MPH
Screenwriter: Cris Franco
Video production: Mile End Films
Animation production: Imaginary Lava
Plan A was supported by Grant TP2AH000036 from Office of Population Affairs, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its contents are solely the responsibility of Sentient Research and do not necessarily represent the official views of Office of Population Affairs, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
GET STARTED
Plan A is now available for clinics and other organizations. The price is $1,250 per site. However, there is a sliding scale depending on the number of sites and financial need of the organization.