Effects of a Sexual Risk-Reduction Intervention for Teenagers: A Cluster-Randomized Control Trial

Abstract

This study evaluated the efficacy of the COMPAS program in the short term and 6 months after its application. For the initial sample, 2047 teenagers aged 14–19 years from 14 schools in 11 Colombian cities participated; eight schools were randomly assigned to the experimental condition and six to the control group. The participants completed self-report assessments that evaluated several variables theoretically associated with protective sexual behaviors. In the short term, the experimental group showed increased knowledge about HIV and other STIs, sexual assertiveness, self-efficacy, greater behavioral intention toward condom use, and more favorable attitudes toward HIV and condom use than the control group. After 6 months, most psychological and health variables also showed a significant positive change. In conclusion, the COMPAS program is the first school-based sexuality education program that has been shown to be effective in reducing mediating and behavioral variables associated with sexual risk reduction in Colombia.

Risk sexual behavior, sexually-transmitted infections and adolescent pregnancy prevention interventions

“…Other studies examine abstinence-based programs, clinic-based programs that provide individualized services, youth development programs. Programs are mostly based in school ( 11-22 , 34 ), community ( 24 ), society ( 18 , 26-28 , 35-38 ), health care ( 34 , 39 , 40 ), and family ( 40-42 ) or media-based approach ( 26-29 ). Among the programs in schools, implemented in elementary, secondary and tertiary schools.…”

“…Among the programs in schools, implemented in elementary, secondary and tertiary schools. The study included samples of mixed sex (adolescent girls and boys) ( 11 , 15-19 ,21,27,28,34-36,38-41, 43 ), among the focus on single sex studies, namely males ( 12 , 24 , 26 ) or only women ( 13 , 14 ,20,26,29,37,38, 42 ), most focused on adolescent girls women than teenage boys. The implementation of the intervention was found in urban areas ( 11-13 ,15-17,19-22,24,26,27, 34-44 ), as well as in rural areas ( 14 , 18 , 25 , 28 ) All distribution of the study focused on adolescents, mostly 13-17 years of age, although the lowest age of adolescents who received the intervention was 10 years and the highest was 19 years, and the study design used was a randomized trial (Randomized Controlled Trial, Randomized Clinical Trial, Cluster-Randomized Trial, Cluster Randomized Feasibility Trial, Double-Blind Cluster-RCT, Double-Blind Randomized Combined Prevention Trial, Multicentre Individual RCT, and Pragmatic Randomized Controlled Trial).…”

“…The sample size ranged from the lowest (n=107) to the largest (n=19,289). The outcomes in this study were behaviors: sexual activity ( 11-16 ,20,26,35-38,42, 43 ), and contraceptive use ( 11 , 13-16 ,24,35-39,42, 43 ), examining the impact on STI/HIV ( 11 , 13 ,15,20,35,36,38, 43 ), knowledge and preventive behavior ( 11 , 17-19 ,21,22,24,26-28,34,35,38-40,43, 44 ), and self-efficacy ( 24 , 29 , 39 ). Most of the study outcomes involved follow-up more than twice, the first follow-up was immediately after the intervention ( 26 , 39 ), 3 months ( 12 , 13 , 26 , 35 , 36 ), 6 months ( 11 , 13 ,29,35,39,42, 43 ), 9 months ( 24 , 41 ), 12 months ( 17 , 24 , 37-39 ), 18 months ( 44 ), 24 months ( 26 , 36 , 42 ), even 7 years ( 15 ) after the intervention ended.…”

Sexual risk-taking behavior amongst emerging adults in a tertiary institution of learning in Coastal Kenya: A qualitative study of stakeholders’ perspectives using causal loop mapping

“…The CLD confirms that financial difficulties and desire to acquire material things directly increase transactional sex, cross generational sex and multiple sex partnerships. Kenyan universities need to enhance sexual education programs for students so that they can be empowered and avoid the urge to engage in SRTB for financial gain [55].…”

A non-latex condom has no influence on male physiological sexual arousal

“…This study is a pioneer in investigating the possible interference of an external condom made of a material other than latex on erectile functioning. The impact of its results on public health issues, such as prevention and/or intervention of sexual risk behaviors to mitigate unintended pregnancy and STI and sexual dysfunctions (e.g., erectile dysfunction; clinical practice), is inherent ( Gómez-Lugo et al., 2022 ). However, factors such as the sexual orientation of the sample (i.e., exclusively or mainly heterosexual), the absence of groups with Condom-associated erectile problems (CAEP), the sample size, or the use of a non-traditional condom may affect the results, and these factors should be considered with caution.…”