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 African-American and Latina young women ages 18–19. This program is based on the model created for Safe in the City, a theory-driven intervention that was found to reduce STIs among a diverse group of clinic patients by 10% in a randomized controlled trial. Safe in the City has been used by over 2,000 clinics and is listed as an effective, evidence-based intervention by CDC.

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. The U.S. Office of Adolescent Health has identified interventions designed for older adolescents (18-19) as a gap in the available evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs. Further, African-American and Latina young women experience the highest rates of unplanned pregnancies and STIs. Plan A was designed specifically for these groups. However, a 2018 study found that Plan A has very high acceptability among a wide audience of clinic clients in terms of race, ethnicity, and age.
HOW WAS PLAN A DEVELOPED?
Plan A was developed by Sentient Research, Inc. using an iterative process involving multiple rounds of development and intensive input from geographically diverse target audience members and clinic staff. In addition, four experts in reproductive health provided regular feedback on storylines and script drafts to ensure medical accuracy as well as age and cultural 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 IUDs and the implant.
RESOURCES
A handout of additional resources on topics covered.
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

GET STARTED
Plan A keeps pro-health messages the central component without compromising entertainment value. Plan A costs $500 per clinic or other organizational site. For multiple sites, please inquire.
We’d like to hear from you! For questions or more information about using Plan A, contact us.