HIV prevention in Mexican schools: prospective randomised evaluation of intervention
Open Access
- 8 May 2006
- Vol. 332 (7551), 1189-1194
- https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38796.457407.80
Abstract
Objective To assess effects on condom use and other sexual behaviour of an HIV prevention programme at school that promotes the use of condoms with and without emergency contraception. Design Cluster randomised controlled trial. Setting 40 public high schools in the state of Morelos, Mexico. Participants 10 954 first year high school students. Intervention Schools were randomised to one of three arms: an HIV prevention course that promoted condom use, the same course with emergency contraception as back-up, or the existing sex education course. Self administered anonymous questionnaires were completed at baseline, four months, and 16 months. Students at intervention schools received a 30 hour course (over 15 weeks) on HIV prevention and life skills, designed in accordance with guidelines of the joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS. Two extra hours of education on emergency contraception were given to students in the condom promotion with contraception arm. Main outcome measures Primary outcome measure was reported condom use. Other outcomes were reported sexual activity; knowledge and attitudes about HIV and emergency contraception; and attitudes and confidence about condom use. Results Intervention did not affect reported condom use. Knowledge of HIV improved in both intervention arms and knowledge of emergency contraception improved in the condom promotion with contraception arm. Reported sexual behaviour was similar in the intervention arms and the control group. Conclusion A rigorously designed, implemented, and evaluated HIV education course based in public high schools did not reduce risk behaviour, so such courses need to be redesigned and evaluated. Addition of emergency contraception did not decrease reported condom use or increase risky sexual behaviour but did increase reported use of emergency contraception.Keywords
This publication has 24 references indexed in Scilit:
- Cost effectiveness analysis of strategies to combat HIV/AIDS in developing countriesBMJ, 2005
- Promising to wait: Virginity pledges and adolescent sexual behaviorJournal of Adolescent Health, 2005
- After the promise: The STD consequences of adolescent virginity pledgesJournal of Adolescent Health, 2005
- Direct Access to Emergency Contraception Through Pharmacies and Effect on Unintended Pregnancy and STIsJama-Journal Of The American Medical Association, 2005
- Interventions to prevent HIV/AIDS among adolescents in less developed countries: Are they effective?International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 2004
- Emergency contraception: Advance provision in a young, high-risk clinic populationObstetrics & Gynecology, 2000
- Emergency contraception in Mexico City: what do health care providers and potential users know and think about it?Contraception, 1999
- Early effects of a school-based human immunodeficiency virus infection and sexual risk prevention intervention.Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 1998
- Abstinence and Safer Sex HIV Risk-Reduction Interventions for African American AdolescentsJama-Journal Of The American Medical Association, 1998
- [Teenage pregnancy as a public problem: a critical view].1997