Shrier, L. A., Ancheta, R., Goodman, E., Chiou, V. M., Lyden, M. R., & Emans, S. J. (2001). Randomized controlled trial of a Safer Sex Intervention for high-risk adolescent girls. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 155(1), 73–79. https://doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.155.1.73

Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial
Number of Participants: 123

Population:

• Age — Not specified
• Race/Ethnicity — Not specified
• Gender — 100% Female
• Status — Participants were adolescents with cervicitis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Location/Institution: Urban children's hospital adolescent clinic and inpatient service

Summary: (To include basic study design, measures, results, and notable limitations)
The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of an individualized Safer Sex Intervention (SSI) on condom use and recurrent sexually transmitted disease (STD) among female adolescents diagnosed as having an STD. Participants were randomized to receive safer sex education according to either the study intervention (SSI) or standard care, stratified by presenting diagnosis (cervicitis or PID) using 2 separate random numbers lists. Measures utilized include a sociodemographic interview, the Wheel of Change, and the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Results indicate at 1 month, compared with control participants, intervention participants had increased sexual risk knowledge and more positive attitudes toward condoms and tended to use condoms more with a nonmain partner. At 6 months, fewer intervention participants than controls had sex with a nonmain sexual partner in the previous 6 months. At 12 months from baseline, intervention participants were less likely to have a current main partner and had a lower rate of recurrent STD than controls, but these differences were not significant. Limitations include small sample size and length of follow-up.

Length of controlled postintervention follow-up: 3 months.

Kelsey, M., Walker, J. T., Layzer, J., Price, C., & Juras, R. (2016). Replicating the Safer Sex Intervention: 9-Month impact findings of a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Public Health, 106(S1), S53–S59. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2016.303372

Type of Study: Randomized controlled trial
Number of Participants: 1,809

Population:

• Age — 13-20 years
• Race/Ethnicity — 35% Non-Hispanic Black, 32.6% Non-Hispanic White, 18.4% Hispanic, and 13.5% Other
• Gender — 100% Female
• Status — Participants were sexually active female adolescents.

Location/Institution: Minnesota, Tennessee, Florida

Summary: (To include basic study design, measures, results, and notable limitations)
To test the effects of the Safer Sex Intervention (SSI) on female adolescents' sexual behavior and possible antecedents of behavior such as sexual health attitudes, knowledge, motivation, intentions, and skills. Participants were randomized into SSI (n = 1196) or to no intervention (n = 613) among female adolescents. Measures utilized include a sociodemographic interview and the Wheel of Change. Results indicate compared with control participants, SSI participants were less likely to have sexual intercourse without birth control, more likely to report positive attitudes toward protection and intention to use condoms, and more confident of their ability to refuse sex. SSI did not affect sexual risk knowledge or motivation to delay childbearing. Positive impacts on sexual behavior and sexual risk were observed among key subgroups of youths who were aged 18 years or older, Hispanic, not sexually experienced at baseline, and enrolled at the Minnesota site. Limitations include generalizability of study findings to other ethnicities and gender.

Length of controlled postintervention follow-up: 9 months.