RESEARCH PAPER
The impact of comprehensive sexuality education on promoting safe sexual behaviors among 15-24 year-old youths with HIV
1
Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2
Department of Infectious Diseases, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
3
Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
4
Department of Public Health Nursing, Nursing Faculty, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
5
Research Center for Cancer Screening and Epidemiology, Aja University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
6
Counseling and Reproductive Health Research Center, Department of Midwifery, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Golestan University of Medical Sciences (GOUMS), Gorgan, Iran
7
Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
8
Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
Submission date: 2023-09-26
Final revision date: 2023-10-25
Acceptance date: 2023-10-30
Online publication date: 2025-11-20
Corresponding author
Zahra Behboodi Moghadam
Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health,Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery,Tehran University of Medical Sciences,Tehran,Iran
Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health,Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery,Tehran University of Medical Sciences,Tehran,Iran
HIV & AIDS Review 2025;24(4):290-296
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Many people in different societies regard the topic of sexual needs important, but it is not considered in health service packages nor included in patients’ evaluation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) program on the promotion of safe sexual behaviors among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive youths aged 15-24 years.
Material and methods:
This study was a clinical trial with both intervention and control groups, with 27 HIV-infected adolescences aged 15 to 24 years enrolled in each group. Data collection tool was a questionnaire consisting of three sections, i.e., demographics characteristics and history and status of the disease as well as standard safe sexual behavior questionnaire (SSBQ) was used. Five training sessions were conducted, which were held in groups of 2-5 people, with each session lasting for about 60-90 minutes. Respondents completed SSBQ before and two months after the intervention.
Results:
The results of data analysis indicated that CSE has improved the overall score of safe sexual behavior among the intervention group members (p = 0.001). In the sub-fields of protective behavior, such as avoiding high-risk sexual behavior and avoiding sexual partner's secretions and fluids, there was a significant positive effect but not statistically significant effect in the sub-field of inter-personal skills was observed.
Conclusions:
By implementing the CSE program among HIV-infected youths, positive effects can be expected in promoting safe sexual behaviors. It is suggested to employ CSE in educational programs of adolescences.
Many people in different societies regard the topic of sexual needs important, but it is not considered in health service packages nor included in patients’ evaluation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) program on the promotion of safe sexual behaviors among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive youths aged 15-24 years.
Material and methods:
This study was a clinical trial with both intervention and control groups, with 27 HIV-infected adolescences aged 15 to 24 years enrolled in each group. Data collection tool was a questionnaire consisting of three sections, i.e., demographics characteristics and history and status of the disease as well as standard safe sexual behavior questionnaire (SSBQ) was used. Five training sessions were conducted, which were held in groups of 2-5 people, with each session lasting for about 60-90 minutes. Respondents completed SSBQ before and two months after the intervention.
Results:
The results of data analysis indicated that CSE has improved the overall score of safe sexual behavior among the intervention group members (p = 0.001). In the sub-fields of protective behavior, such as avoiding high-risk sexual behavior and avoiding sexual partner's secretions and fluids, there was a significant positive effect but not statistically significant effect in the sub-field of inter-personal skills was observed.
Conclusions:
By implementing the CSE program among HIV-infected youths, positive effects can be expected in promoting safe sexual behaviors. It is suggested to employ CSE in educational programs of adolescences.
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