Broad based sexual health programmes
In developing countries, studies have shown that the impact on young people's behaviour has been stronger from programmes which combine abstinence, monogamy and information about safer sex. Safer sex education has a positive influence on reproductive health knowledge and attitudes and evidence shows that it can also lead to greater abstinence and decreased sexual activity.
However, an assessment of the effectiveness of 21 broad-based school programmes covering youth reproductive health and HIV and AIDS prevention concluded that HIV/STI (sexually transmitted infections) programmes had a greater impact on behaviour change than the other broad-based programmes. Constraints on the effectiveness of broad-based programmes included: lack of funding, lack of teacher training, low level of involvement by youth and parents, and the fact that the primary focus of the programmes was on older youths who were already sexually active.
However, an assessment of the effectiveness of 21 broad-based school programmes covering youth reproductive health and HIV and AIDS prevention concluded that HIV/STI (sexually transmitted infections) programmes had a greater impact on behaviour change than the other broad-based programmes. Constraints on the effectiveness of broad-based programmes included: lack of funding, lack of teacher training, low level of involvement by youth and parents, and the fact that the primary focus of the programmes was on older youths who were already sexually active.
Recommended readings
- Peer educators can promote safer sex behaviors
- ( Population Council, USA , 2001)
- This short summary describes the findings of two intervention programmes in Zambia whose objectives were to increase safer sex practices: condom distribution by peer educators and small business loans...
- Emerging answers: research findings on programs to reduce teen pregnancy
- ( D. Kirby / The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy , 2001)
- This document is a summary of a 200 page report commissioned by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, which reviews research on programmes to prevent teen pregnancy. It builds on the 1997 ...
- Stop AIDS love life in Ghana “shatters the silence”
- ( Center for Communication Programs, Johns Hopkins University , 2003)
- The primary theme of the initial phase of the Stop AIDS Love Life campaign in Ghana was to “Shatter the Silence” surrounding HIV/AIDS. It integrated mass media and community-level interventions to slo...
- Intervention strategies that work for youth: summary of the FOCUS on young adults
- ( B. Finger; M. Lapetina; M. Pribila / YouthNet, Family Health International , 2002)
- What kinds of programs work in their attempts to promote youth reproductive health and HIV prevention? What factors make some programs successful and others less so? This document reports on programs ...
- Selling safe sex to young people - does youth-targeted social marketing work?
- ( Lori Asford;Sohail Agha / id21 Development Research Reporting Service , 2001)
- Young people in sub-Saharan Africa often lack accurate information about sexuality and reproductive health. Social attitudes towards sex make it difficult for them to protect themselves against pregna...
