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ERIC Number: EJ1184388
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Aug
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0022-4391
EISSN: N/A
Impacts of a School-Wide, Peer-Led Approach to Sexuality Education: A Matched Comparison Group Design
Rotz, Dana; Goesling, Brian; Manlove, Jennifer; Welti, Kate; Trenholm, Christopher
Journal of School Health, v88 n8 p549-559 Aug 2018
Background: Teen Prevention Education Program (PEP) is a school-wide, peer-led comprehensive sexuality education program currently implemented in more than 50 schools across 2 states. Many teen pregnancy prevention researchers and practitioners view peer-led programs as a promising approach for reducing teen pregnancy and associated sexual risk behaviors. However, prior research on the effectiveness of these programs indicates mixed results. Methods: We randomly assigned schools to implement Teen PEP immediately (intervention group) or on a delayed schedule (comparison group) and used propensity score matching to improve the comparability of the study groups. We surveyed students at baseline and about 6 months after the program ended. Results: Teen PEP did not significantly impact rates of sexual activity or unprotected sex; however, the program led to improvements in exposure to information about sexual health topics and knowledge of preventing pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Conclusions: Teen PEP succeeded in accomplishing some of its most proximal goals, increasing students' access to information and knowledge. However, we found little evidence that the program affects sexual risk-taking within 6 months of its conclusion. Future research will examine the program's longer-term impacts on sexual risk behaviors.
Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Health Resources and Services Administration (DHHS), Office of Adolescent Health
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: HHSP233201450030A