popularity, there have been also increasing efforts to
synthesize the evidence from existing programs to
produce a better guide for decision-making and
program planning [3]. To the author’s knowledge,
four systematic reviews have been conducted targeting
effectiveness of peer education for sexual health
promotion. Harden et al. [4] conducted a systematic
review about effectiveness and adequacy of peer
education regarding adolescent health promotion,
where 49 outcome evaluations and 15 process evaluations
were included (half of them about sexual
health). Although the results of the study showed
some evidence supporting effectiveness of peer
education for the promotion of healthy behaviour,
few of the evaluations attained the necessary methodological
quality to produce reliable conclusions.
Kim and Free [5] published a systematic review and
meta-analysis of 13 peer education programs about
sexual health in adolescents in countries of low,
middle and highincome. No clear evidence of
positive effects by the programs was found. With a
focus on developing countries, Medley et al. [6]
performed a systematic review and meta-analysis
concerning effectiveness of peer education for
HIV prevention. The analysis of the 28 included
studies indicates that the peer education programs
were moderately effective at improving behavioural
outcomes, such as increasing knowledge regarding
HIV or increasing the use of condoms, but had no
significant impact on biological outcomes, such as
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Maticka-
Tyndale and Barnett [3], in their recent review of
peer education programs about HIV in adolescents
in countries of low and middleincome, discuss
24 program evaluations. The results suggest that
peer education had positive effects regarding the
increase of knowledge and the use of condoms, as
well as producing changes in attitudes and community
norms, but changes regarding sexual behaviour
and STDs were not consistent. Summarizing the
studies performed so far, it can be concluded that
although some evidence regarding effectiveness of
peer education for the promotion of sexual health
has been found, especially concerning transfer of
knowledge and behaviour change, the evidence in
favour of its effectiveness is still quite limited
popularity, there have been also increasing efforts to
synthesize the evidence from existing programs to
produce a better guide for decision-making and
program planning [3]. To the author’s knowledge,
four systematic reviews have been conducted targeting
effectiveness of peer education for sexual health
promotion. Harden et al. [4] conducted a systematic
review about effectiveness and adequacy of peer
education regarding adolescent health promotion,
where 49 outcome evaluations and 15 process evaluations
were included (half of them about sexual
health). Although the results of the study showed
some evidence supporting effectiveness of peer
education for the promotion of healthy behaviour,
few of the evaluations attained the necessary methodological
quality to produce reliable conclusions.
Kim and Free [5] published a systematic review and
meta-analysis of 13 peer education programs about
sexual health in adolescents in countries of low,
middle and highincome. No clear evidence of
positive effects by the programs was found. With a
focus on developing countries, Medley et al. [6]
performed a systematic review and meta-analysis
concerning effectiveness of peer education for
HIV prevention. The analysis of the 28 included
studies indicates that the peer education programs
were moderately effective at improving behavioural
outcomes, such as increasing knowledge regarding
HIV or increasing the use of condoms, but had no
significant impact on biological outcomes, such as
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Maticka-
Tyndale and Barnett [3], in their recent review of
peer education programs about HIV in adolescents
in countries of low and middleincome, discuss
24 program evaluations. The results suggest that
peer education had positive effects regarding the
increase of knowledge and the use of condoms, as
well as producing changes in attitudes and community
norms, but changes regarding sexual behaviour
and STDs were not consistent. Summarizing the
studies performed so far, it can be concluded that
although some evidence regarding effectiveness of
peer education for the promotion of sexual health
has been found, especially concerning transfer of
knowledge and behaviour change, the evidence in
favour of its effectiveness is still quite limited
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