We have located links that may give you full text access.
Journal Article
Review
A comprehensive review of reviews of school-based interventions to improve sexual-health.
Health Psychology Review 2017 March
OBJECTIVE: To systematically review systematic reviews of school-based sexual-health and relationship Education (SHRE) programmes and, thereby, identify interventions and intervention components that promote reductions in risky sexual behaviour among young people.
METHODS: Electronic bibliographies were searched systematically to identify systematic reviews of school-based interventions targeting sexual-health. Results were summarised using a narrative synthesis.
RESULTS: Thirty-seven systematic reviews (summarising 224 primary randomised controlled trials) met our inclusion and quality assessment criteria. In general, these reviews analysed distinct sets of primary studies, and no comprehensive review of available primary studies was identified. Interventions were categorised into five types that segment this review literature. Unfortunately, many reviews reported weak and inconsistent evidence of behaviour change. Nonetheless, integration of review findings generated a list of 32 design, content and implementation characteristics that may enhance effectiveness of school-based, sexual-health interventions. Abstinence-only interventions were found to be ineffective in promoting positive changes in sexual behaviour. By contrast, comprehensive interventions, those specifically targeting HIV prevention, and school-based clinics were found to be effective in improving knowledge and changing attitudes, behaviours and health-relevant outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: School-based interventions targeting risky sexual behaviour can be effective. Particular design, content and implementation characteristics appear to be associated with greater effectiveness. We recommend consideration of these characteristics by designers of school-based sexual-health interventions.
METHODS: Electronic bibliographies were searched systematically to identify systematic reviews of school-based interventions targeting sexual-health. Results were summarised using a narrative synthesis.
RESULTS: Thirty-seven systematic reviews (summarising 224 primary randomised controlled trials) met our inclusion and quality assessment criteria. In general, these reviews analysed distinct sets of primary studies, and no comprehensive review of available primary studies was identified. Interventions were categorised into five types that segment this review literature. Unfortunately, many reviews reported weak and inconsistent evidence of behaviour change. Nonetheless, integration of review findings generated a list of 32 design, content and implementation characteristics that may enhance effectiveness of school-based, sexual-health interventions. Abstinence-only interventions were found to be ineffective in promoting positive changes in sexual behaviour. By contrast, comprehensive interventions, those specifically targeting HIV prevention, and school-based clinics were found to be effective in improving knowledge and changing attitudes, behaviours and health-relevant outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS: School-based interventions targeting risky sexual behaviour can be effective. Particular design, content and implementation characteristics appear to be associated with greater effectiveness. We recommend consideration of these characteristics by designers of school-based sexual-health interventions.
Full text links
Related Resources
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app