Effectiveness of the “Educating for Better Decisions” program in preventing risky sexual behavior: a pre-experimental study of Peruvian schoolchildren
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17211713Keywords:
comprehensive sex education, risky sexual behaviors, adolescenceAbstract
Adolescence is a highly vulnerable stage in terms of sexual and reproductive health, during which practices such as early sexual debut, multiple partners, or relationships involving alcohol and drug use increase the risk of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. In response to this problem, comprehensive sexuality education is proposed as an effective strategy for strengthening autonomy, decision-making, and the adoption of preventive behaviors. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the “Educating for Better Decisions” program in preventing risky sexual behaviors among fifth-year secondary school students at the Belén de Osma y Pardo School in Andahuaylas, Peru. The research was conducted using a pre-experimental design with a single group, applying pre- and post-tests to 35 adolescents selected for convenience. A questionnaire validated by experts was used, and the data were processed using descriptive and inferential statistics, employing the Wilcoxon test. The results showed statistically significant changes (p < .05) in the perception of risks associated with early sexual relations, alcohol and drug use, and the need for contraceptive use. Likewise, the intention to initiate sexual activity at an early age was reduced, and condom use increased among sexually active students. In conclusion, the educational program implemented had a positive impact on changing attitudes and practices, providing evidence for the strengthening of educational and sexual health policies aimed at Peruvian adolescents.
Downloads
References
Ajzen, I. (1991). The theory of planned behavior. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 50(2), 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
Barriuso-Ortega, S., Heras-Sevilla, D., & Fernández-Hawrylak, M. (2024). Effectiveness of adolescent sexuality education programmes: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Children and Youth Services Review, 158, 107474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2024.107474
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, July 10). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). https://www.cdc.gov/sti/index.html
Chin, H. B., Sipe, T. A., Elder, R., Kirby, D., Elliston, D., Reynolds, J., Briss, P. A. (2012). The effectiveness of group-based comprehensive risk reduction and abstinence education interventions to prevent or reduce adolescent pregnancy, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 42(3), 272–294. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2011.11.006
Goesling, B., Colman, S., Trenholm, C., Terzian, M., & Moore, K. (2014). Programs to reduce teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and associated sexual risk behaviors: A systematic review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 54(5), 499–507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.12.004
Goldfarb, E. S., & Lieberman, L. D. (2021). Three decades of research: The case for comprehensive sex education. Journal of Adolescent Health, 68(1), 13–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.07.036
Kim, E.-J., Lim, N., Kim, Y. M., & Park, H.-R. (2023). A meta-analysis of the effects of comprehensive sexuality education. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(19), 6920. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20196920
Kirby, D. (2007). Emerging answers 2007: Research findings on programs to reduce teen pregnancy. The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy. https://powertodecide.org/sites/default/files/resources/primary-download/emerging-answers.pdf
Kolb, D. A. (1999). Experiential learning theory. In D. A. Kolb, Research library paper. https://learningfromexperience.com/downloads/research-library/experiential-learning-theory.pdf
Leal, I. F., Molina, G. T., Luttges, D. C., González, S. E., & Gonzales, A. D. (2018). Edad de inicio sexual y asociación a variables de salud sexual y violencia en la relación de pareja en adolescentes chilenos. Revista Chilena de Obstetricia y Ginecología, 83(2), 149–158. https://doi.org/10.4067/s0717-75262018000200149
Manco, M., Flores-Lovón, K., Ticona, D., & Gutiérrez, E. (2020). Prácticas de salud sexual en adolescentes de dos colegios del sur de la región Lima, Perú. Revista Chilena de Obstetricia y Ginecología, 85(6), 595–603. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0717-75262020000600595
Noll, M., Noll, P. R. E. S., de Souza, A., Silveira, E. A., & Silveira, J. F. (2020). Associated factors and sex differences in condom non-use among adolescents: Brazilian National School Health Survey (PeNSE). Reproductive Health, 17, 139. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-020-00996-6
Pan American Health Organization. (2023, November 30). HIV epidemic and response in Latin America and the Caribbean. https://www.paho.org/en/documents/hiv-epidemic-and-response-latin-america-and-caribbean-october-2023
Pan American Health Organization. (n.d.). HIV/AIDS – Regional situation and dashboards. https://www.paho.org/en/hiv-situation-americas
Pan American Health Organization. (n.d.). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the Americas. https://www.paho.org/en/topics/sexually-transmitted-infections
Pinandari, A. W., Agustina, R., Makhmudi, A., Prasetyo, R., & Suryawan, A. (2023). Short-term effects of a school-based comprehensive sexuality education intervention on middle-school students in Indonesia. Journal of Adolescent Health, 73(2), 293–302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.04.009
Rodríguez-García, A., Bueso-Izquierdo, N., & Pérez, M. (2025). Effectiveness of comprehensive sexuality education to reduce risky sexual behaviours in adolescents: A systematic review. Social Sciences, 6(1), 6. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci6010006
Rosenstock, I. M., Strecher, V. J., & Becker, M. H. (1988). Social learning theory and the Health Belief Model. Health Education & Behavior, 15(2), 175–183. https://doi.org/10.1177/109019818801500203
Saavedra-Alvarado, C. J., Guamán, R. A., & Holguín, O. A. (2021). Inicio de la vida sexual y reproductiva en la adolescencia – Unidad Educativa UPSE. Cuadernos Hospital de Clínicas, 61(1). https://ceus.ucacue.edu.ec/index.php/ceus/article/view/51
The Community Guide. (2012). The effectiveness of group-based comprehensive risk reduction interventions to prevent or reduce adolescent pregnancy, HIV, and STIs. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK98255/
UNESCO. (2018). International technical guidance on sexuality education: An evidence-informed approach. https://www.icmec.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/International-Technical-Guidance-on-Sexuality-Education-Jan-2018.pdf
UNESCO. (2019, December 1/updated 2024, December 6). International technical guidance on sexuality education: An evidence-informed approach. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/international-technical-guidance-sexuality-education-evidence-informed-approach
UNICEF. (2023, November 30). Despite progress, adolescent girls continue to bear the brunt of the HIV epidemic: 98,000 new infections in 2022. https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/despite-progress-adolescent-girls-continue-bear-brunt-hiv-epidemic-98000-new
UNICEF. (2024, November 1). Early childbearing. https://data.unicef.org/topic/child-health/early-childbearing/
UNICEF Latin America and the Caribbean. (2023, December 1). Latin America and the Caribbean: Every day 30 adolescents and young people become infected with HIV for the first time. https://www.unicef.org/lac/en/press-releases/latin-america-and-caribbean-every-day-30-adolescents-and-young-people-become
United Nations Population Fund. (n.d.). International technical guidance on sexuality education. https://www.unfpa.org/publications/international-technical-guidance-sexuality-education
World Health Organization. (2024, April 10). Adolescent pregnancy. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-pregnancy
World Health Organization. (2024, May 21). New report flags major increase in sexually transmitted infections—amidst challenges in HIV and hepatitis. https://www.who.int/news/item/21-05-2024-new-report-flags-major-increase-in-sexually-transmitted-infections---amidst-challenges-in-hiv-and-hepatitis
World Health Organization. (2024, May 21). Sexually transmitted infections (STIs). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sexually-transmitted-infections-(stis)
World Health Organization. (2025, September 12). Multi-drug resistant gonorrhoea. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/multi-drug-resistant-gonorrhoea
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The journal is licensed under the Attribution License (CC BY), allowing the possibility of copying, distributing, displaying, and producing derivative works, as long as the author is acknowledged and cited.
