"I Have a Future" Comprehensive Adolescent Health Promotion: Cultural Considerations in Program Implementation and Design

"I Have a Future" Adolescent Health Promotion Program is a life options program. The program uses the Nguzo Saba (seven principles) and African philosophy to systematically address violence and attitudes reinforcing the use of violence. The Nguzo Saba promotes self-respect, and commitment to and support for developing a positive community. Data was collected from four public housing developments-two served as match control sites. Adolescents residing in neighborhoods in which the program operated had greater acceptance of the Nguzo Saba than those in matched communities. Those who perceived themselves as having life options engaged in fewer delinquent/violent acts. There was a strong negative correlation between the acceptance of the Nguzo Saba and the number of reported delinquent/violent behaviors. There was a positive relationship between the acceptance of the Nguzo Saba and positive self-concept, psychosocial maturity, and clarity of goals.