A variety of strategies have been explored to reduce repeat childbearing among adolescent girls, but the results have been modest. CAMI was based on the premise that the limited success of previous programs might have been due to the lack of attention paid to teens’ level of motivation and ambivalence towards changing their contraceptive behaviors. CAMI was designed to delay repeat childbearing among adolescent girls by increasing the use of contraceptives.
Implementing Computer-Assisted Motivational Intervention (CAMI)
Implementation last updated: 2014
The information in this profile reflects feedback, if provided, from this model’s developer as of the above date. The description of the implementation of the model(s) here may differ from how the model(s) was implemented in the research reviewed to determine this model’s evidence of effectiveness. Inclusion in the implementation report does not mean the practices described meet the HHS criteria for evidence of effectiveness. Similarly, models described here may not all have impact studies, and those with impact studies may vary in their effectiveness. Please see the Effectiveness button on the left for more information about research on the effectiveness of the models discussed here.
Model overview
Implementation support
The Computer-Assisted Motivational Intervention (CAMI) was developed by faculty and staff of the University of Maryland Schools of Medicine and Social Work, the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Intended population
CAMI enrolled pregnant and parenting African American adolescents between ages 12 and 18.
Targeted outcomes
CAMI aimed to reduce the percentage of adolescents who had another child within two years.
Model services
CAMI provided quarterly home visits during which the participants completed a computer-based survey about their sexual relationships, contraceptive intentions and plans, and current pregnancy prevention practices such as condom use. An algorithm assessed the participant’s risk for repeat pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and readiness to use contraception and/or condoms. A CAMI counselor used these algorithm results to conduct a 20 to 30 minute tailored, motivational interview with the participant. During the interview, the teen participant and her counselor discussed how the teen’s goals and actions aligned and the counselor encouraged the participant to change her behavior.
Model intensity and length
Every quarter, the adolescents completed the computer-based survey assessing their sexual relationships, contraceptive intentions and plans, and current pregnancy prevention practices and participated in a motivational interview with the CAMI counselor. Each CAMI session lasted about 1 hour and included the computer-based survey and the 20 to 30 minute motivational interview.
The intervention began within six weeks postpartum (range 1-6 weeks postpartum) and continued for two years.
Adaptations and enhancements
The model developers enhanced the program by pairing CAMI with home-visiting services called CAMI+. In addition to the standard program, CAMI+ provided participants with biweekly or monthly home-based parent training and case management services to help the participants address issues related to housing or child care, for example. The 16-module curriculum, designed specifically for African American adolescent mothers, drew on social cognitive theory and covered topics such as child development and discipline. The home visits were initiated prenatally at about 32 weeks gestation. Each CAMI+ counselor served a maximal caseload of 25 participants visited monthly .
Implementation notes
The information contained on this page was last updated in May 2014. Recommended Further Reading lists the sources for this information. In addition, the information contained in this profile was reviewed for accuracy by Dr. Beth Barnet from the University of Maryland on April 21, 2014. HomVEE reserves the right to edit the profile for clarity and consistency.