Programs that Influence Responsible Sexual Behaviors Among Teens (Research Paper Sample)

INTERVENTION PROGRAMS THAT INFLUENCE RESPONSIBLE SEXUAL BEHAVIORS AMONG TEENS
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Intervention Programs that Influence Responsible Sexual Behaviors Among Teens
A strong teen-parental relationship is fundamental to influencing responsible sexual behaviors among adolescents. According to Lederman, Chan, and Roberts-Gray (2018), "parents influence children's decisions about sexual engagements" (p. 137). Health practitioners recommend the adoption of well-designed interactive frameworks to engage parents and adolescents in prevention education programs. Designing parent-child discussions into curriculum-guided prevention initiatives such as social controls can augment the comfort of conversations about sex, adherence to parents' rules, and the involvement of parents in teen activities. Parent-child education addresses crucial aspects of adolescents, such as knowledge and self-efficacy and approaches that reduce risky behaviors and STI rates. Lederman et al. (2018) note that about 94% of parents and 76% of youths participate in discussions about sex, contraception, and pregnancy (p. 142).
On average, most middle school teens feel somewhat comfortable discussing sex, AIDS, and the use of condoms with their parents. Parental rules play a pivotal role in controlling the adolescent's sexual behavior. For example, most adolescents acknowledge parental limitations about dating, partying, staying out late, having sex, and using contraception (Lederman et al., 2018). Besides, the involvement of parents in adolescents' activities such as helping them with homework, watching them in games, and accompanying them in school programs influenced decision-making skills and responsible sexual conduct. Mainly, youths perceive parents' opinions about sexual behaviors as highly relevant.
Comprehensive approaches such as evidence-based programs that integrate curricula-based sex education have effectively prevented teen pregnancies and infections. Mainly, comprehensive risk-reduction interventions are appropriate in incentivizing responsible adolescent behaviors such as abstinence and reducing the risk of pregnancy, HIV, and STIs. Chin et al. (2019) reviewed 66 studies that used comprehensive risk reduction and found effective interventions. The authors report that the program led to reductions in sexual activity, the frequency of sexual activity, dangerous behaviors such as the number of sexual partners, and unprotected sexual activity (Chin et al., 2019). Furthermore, such approaches are effective in encouraging youths to use condoms. The meta-analysis performed by Chin et al. (2019) indicates that comprehensive risk reduction produced favorable primary outcomes, including a 12% decrease in sexual activity and a 14% reduction in the number of sexual partners. In addition, the intervention reduced the prevalence of STIs by 31%. The use of condoms increased by 13% among adolescents (Chin et al., 2019).
The peer-led education method is a common strategy for sexual health education. Sun, Miu, Wong, Tucker, and Wong (2018) posit that youths perceive well-trained peer educators as role models. The approach involves recruiting members of similar age groups and imparting sex skills and knowledge to them. The qualified peer educators implement behavioral changes in other members by sharing or teaching. Sun et al. (2018) claim that "peer educators provide conviction, comfort, and acquaintance" (p. 32), which promotes health education on sensitive matters such as sex. In their systematic reviews and meta-analyses of selected peer-led sexual health programs in advanced countries, Sun et al. (2018) found that the approach had moderate effects on knowledge and attitudes that impact behavioral transformation among youths. Mainly, peer educators enhance adolescents' self-efficacy, views, and experiences. The method is essential in increasing peer knowledge and leadership skills and enabling youth involvement in sex education. Sun et al. (2018) reviewed 15 studies and found favorable outcomes. For instance, ten studies indicated that peer-led training improves HIV and STI knowledge. The collective understanding of sexually transmitted infections increased by approximately 19%. Moreover, the review shows that peer participation improves adolescents' perceptions of reproductive health by 15%. Sun et al. (2018) add that peer-led education programs increased the willingness to use protection by 5%.
Computer and web-based interventions for sexual health advocacy provide crucial advantages in helping adolescents avoid risky behaviors in a hyper-digitized society. Bailey et al. (2020) analyzed six studies to determine the effectiveness of interactive computer-based interventions (ICBS) on sexual health promotion. The studies reviewed focused on the prevention of HIV prevention and STIs, risky sexual conduct, and responsible dating experiences for youths. The findings showed that ICBIs have minor to moderate impacts on adolescents' sexual knowledge, self-efficacy, and sexual behavior (Bailey et al., 2020). Computer-based programs for sexual health promotion are viable despite producing minimal outcomes. ICBIs are applicable across diverse populations, increasing the youths' knowledge of STIs. In the wake of increased digitization, Bailey et al. (2020) recommend additional research on web-based interventions to promote sexual health education (p. 412).
In recent years, Internet-based digital technologies have become integral in creating sexual health programs to augment efficiency in preventing STIs. The interventions use smart devices as the principal framework for reaching and engaging adolescents in sexual health education. Widman, Golin, Kamke, Burnette, and Prinstein (2018) postulate that online-based programs are beneficial in administration, increasing the reliability of intervention delivery and improving interactions with youths. Given the omnipresence of internet-based technologies among the youth, online interventions remain hugely relevant for reducing risky behaviors among adolescents to prevent STDs and STIs (Widman et al., 2018). The authors developed a web-based program named Health Education and Relationship Training (HEART), which provides motivation enhancement, skill-building, and information about STIs. It aims at establishing sexual communication and assertiveness skills. The study reports that adolescents who participated in the HEART program displayed appropriate behavioural skills in sexual assertiveness and increased knowledge of STIs. Besides, participants showed positive perceptions of safe sex, excellent sexual communication, and intentions (Widman et al., 2018).
Synthesis
The articles reviewed show that interventions play a leading role in reducing risky sexual behaviors and preventing STIs among adolescents. For example, the first article acknowledges that integrating interactive social activities and parent-child communication into curricula increases youths' knowledge of risky sexual mannerisms. However, most adolescents choose to discuss sex issues with friends rather than with parents. Sun et al. (2018) support this argument with the peer-led approach, demonstrating a higher degree of effectiveness than parent-child education programs. Besides, it is worth noting that comprehensive risk-reduction st