Effectiveness of Comprehensive Sexuality Education to Reduce Risk Sexual Behaviours Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review

Background: Adolescence is a critical life period marked by significant vulnerability to risky sexual behaviours. Comprehensive sex education offers better sexual and reproductive health to adolescents. Aim: We aimed to analyse the effectiveness of sex education interventions on reducing risk behavi...

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Main Authors: Ana Rodríguez-García, Alicia Botello-Hermosa, Álvaro Borrallo-Riego, María Dolores Guerra-Martín
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Sexes
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5118/6/1/6
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author Ana Rodríguez-García
Alicia Botello-Hermosa
Álvaro Borrallo-Riego
María Dolores Guerra-Martín
author_facet Ana Rodríguez-García
Alicia Botello-Hermosa
Álvaro Borrallo-Riego
María Dolores Guerra-Martín
author_sort Ana Rodríguez-García
collection DOAJ
description Background: Adolescence is a critical life period marked by significant vulnerability to risky sexual behaviours. Comprehensive sex education offers better sexual and reproductive health to adolescents. Aim: We aimed to analyse the effectiveness of sex education interventions on reducing risk behaviours among adolescents. Methods: A systematic peer review was conducted. The databases consulted were PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL. The inclusion criteria were as follows: randomized clinical trials published between 2013 and 2023 and methodological quality ≥ 5 points as per the Van Tulder scale. Results: A total of 255 studies were identified, with 25 finally selected. Of them, sixteen dealt with non-condom use, one was about early sexarche, and eight combined several risk behaviours. There was predominance of in-person teaching at schools with lectures and varied activities. The sample was predominantly comprised by girls aged between 14 and 16 years old. Certain variability regarding content, technique, number of sessions, duration, locus, and teaching modality and staff was observed in the com-prehensive sex education interventions. Almost all the interventions were effective in reducing risky sexual behaviours; however, two studies failed to achieve a reduction in risky sexual behaviours.
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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series Sexes
spelling doaj-art-69753d310f3c4a78980b9b4e491479b82025-08-20T03:44:00ZengMDPI AGSexes2411-51182025-01-0161610.3390/sexes6010006Effectiveness of Comprehensive Sexuality Education to Reduce Risk Sexual Behaviours Among Adolescents: A Systematic ReviewAna Rodríguez-García0Alicia Botello-Hermosa1Álvaro Borrallo-Riego2María Dolores Guerra-Martín3Andalusian Health Service, Virgen Macarena Hospital, 41009 Seville, SpainNursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, SpainNursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, SpainNursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Podiatry, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, SpainBackground: Adolescence is a critical life period marked by significant vulnerability to risky sexual behaviours. Comprehensive sex education offers better sexual and reproductive health to adolescents. Aim: We aimed to analyse the effectiveness of sex education interventions on reducing risk behaviours among adolescents. Methods: A systematic peer review was conducted. The databases consulted were PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL. The inclusion criteria were as follows: randomized clinical trials published between 2013 and 2023 and methodological quality ≥ 5 points as per the Van Tulder scale. Results: A total of 255 studies were identified, with 25 finally selected. Of them, sixteen dealt with non-condom use, one was about early sexarche, and eight combined several risk behaviours. There was predominance of in-person teaching at schools with lectures and varied activities. The sample was predominantly comprised by girls aged between 14 and 16 years old. Certain variability regarding content, technique, number of sessions, duration, locus, and teaching modality and staff was observed in the com-prehensive sex education interventions. Almost all the interventions were effective in reducing risky sexual behaviours; however, two studies failed to achieve a reduction in risky sexual behaviours.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5118/6/1/6adolescenthealth risk behaviourssex educationrandomized controlled trial
spellingShingle Ana Rodríguez-García
Alicia Botello-Hermosa
Álvaro Borrallo-Riego
María Dolores Guerra-Martín
Effectiveness of Comprehensive Sexuality Education to Reduce Risk Sexual Behaviours Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review
Sexes
adolescent
health risk behaviours
sex education
randomized controlled trial
title Effectiveness of Comprehensive Sexuality Education to Reduce Risk Sexual Behaviours Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review
title_full Effectiveness of Comprehensive Sexuality Education to Reduce Risk Sexual Behaviours Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review
title_fullStr Effectiveness of Comprehensive Sexuality Education to Reduce Risk Sexual Behaviours Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review
title_full_unstemmed Effectiveness of Comprehensive Sexuality Education to Reduce Risk Sexual Behaviours Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review
title_short Effectiveness of Comprehensive Sexuality Education to Reduce Risk Sexual Behaviours Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review
title_sort effectiveness of comprehensive sexuality education to reduce risk sexual behaviours among adolescents a systematic review
topic adolescent
health risk behaviours
sex education
randomized controlled trial
url https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5118/6/1/6
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