Impact of peer education on sexual health knowledge among adolescents and young persons in two North Western states of Nigeria

Abstract

Background Generally, social development among young people is largely influenced by their peers. Peer education is a proven and effective approach for promoting reproductive health among young people, especially HIV/AIDS education. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness of a peer-led education intervention in addressing sexual and reproductive health related knowledge and concerns among young people in Kaduna and Kano States, northwest Nigeria. Methods A pre and post-test study was conducted among 8930 young people aged 15–24 years who participated in the MTV Shuga Peer Education intervention selected from communities in Kaduna and Kano States. A baseline pre-test was conducted before the education program, and it was followed up with a post-test at the end of the five-day long peer education sessions. Results Majority of the respondents, 7846 (87.9%) were adolescents aged 15–19 years while the rest 1084 (12.1%) were young adults aged 20–24 years. A total of 6099 (68.3%) of the respondents correctly stated that condoms prevent pregnancy during the pre-test compared to 6429 (72.0%) peers during the post test. Lower abdominal pain was correctly indicated as a symptom of STI by 6282 (70.3%) and 6984 (78.2%) of the respondents at pre-test and post-test respectively. More males (58.5%) had good knowledge about condom use compared to the females, 51.9% (χ2 = 24.62, p < 0.001). while more females (79.6%) compared to 74.7% males opined that going for HIV test with their sexual partner is important to them during the pre-test (χ2 = 19.44, p≤ 0.001).However, no significant difference was observed on knowledge of condom use and opinion on going for HIV testing with sexual partner among either gender at post-test. Conclusion Significant positive changes in knowledge, views and opinions regarding STIs and HIV, HIV anti-stigma and the use of condoms were observed following exposure to the peer sessions of the MTV Shuga peer education intervention. Sustained exposure and access to informative and enlightening peer education sessions over time have the potential to comprehensively improve SRH knowledge, influence positive opinion change and in turn adoption of positive behaviours among young people.

The effectiveness of peer educators and guidance counselling teachers to the knowledge of reproductive health

“…Other research stated that the delivery of health education reproductive by a peer group with five days of peer sessions could increase knowledge on health reproductive. There were observable positive changes in views and opinions of the respondents on STIs and HIV, HIV anti-stigma and the use of condoms [10], [11]. Other studies have shown that schoolbased healthcare in adolescent sexual, reproductive, and mental health is very effective.…”

Association between ethnicity and health knowledge among the floating population in China

“…Early studies highlighted education in the health knowledge dissemination. For example, a study indicated significant positive changes in opinions were observed following exposure to the peer education intervention [ 43 ]. Early studies highlighted medical staff in the health knowledge transmission.…”

Reproductive health status of adolescent mothers in an Iranian setting: a cross-sectional study

“…Adolescents are classified into two groups: early adolescent (ages 10–14 years) and late adolescent (ages 15–19 years). Adolescents constitute approximately 20% of the global population, with the majority living in LMICs [ 1 , 2 ]. Globally, one in every six adolescent girls between the ages of 15 and 19 is married, and over 700 million girls marry as adolescents, with more than a third being under the age of 15.…”