Behavioral interventions to reduce risk of STIs in adolescents

January 01, 0001

Behavioral interventions to reduce risk of STIs in adolescents

These US authors conducted a meta-analysis of trials of behavioral interventions to reduce sexual risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among adolescents (11-19). Studies that fulfilled the selection criteria and were available as of December 31, 2008, were included if they provided sufficient information to calculate effect sizes. Data from 98 interventions (51,240 participants) were derived from 67 studies, dividing for qualitatively different interventions and gender when reports permitted it.

They found: "Relative to controls, interventions succeeded at reducing incident STIs, increasing condom use, reducing or delaying penetrative sex, and increasing skills to negotiate safer sex and to acquire prophylactic protection. Initial risk reduction varied depending on sample and intervention characteristics but did not decay over time."

The authors concluded: "Comprehensive behavioral interventions reduce risky sexual behavior and prevent transmission of STIs. Interventions are most successful to the extent that they deliver intensive content."

Bottom line is that behavioral interventions to reduce risky sexual behavior among adolescents work, the more the better.

For the full abstract, click here.

Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 165(1):77-84, January 2011 © 2011 to the American Medical Association
Interventions to Reduce Sexual Risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Adolescents-A Meta-analysis of Trials, 1985-2008. Blair T. Johnson, Lori A. J. Scott-Sheldon, Tania B. Huedo-Medina, Michael P. Carey. Correspondence to Dr. Johnson: [email protected]

Category: Z. Social Problems, X. Female Genital System, Breast, Y. Male Genital System, Breast. Keywords: human immunodeficiency virus, HIV, sexually transmitted infections, STIs, adolescents, behavioral interventions, meta-analysis of interventions, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 18 January 2011

Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.

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