The impact of comprehensive sexuality education on adolescent intimate partner violence in low- and middle- income countries: a systematic review

Ramsdell, Emma Katharine

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Year:: 2022
Contributor:: Ramsdell, Emma Katharine (creator); Galárraga, Omar (Advisor); Harrison, Abigail (Reader); Brown University. School of Public Health (sponsor)
Genre:: theses
Subject:: Sexual health; Health behavior in adolescence; Systematic Review; Intimate partner violence; Dating violence--Prevention; comprehensive sexuality education; Sex instruction; Life skills
Extent:: iv, 29 p.

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Abstract:: ABSTRACT Background: Interpersonal violence is a driving cause of morbidity and mortality among adolescents globally. Low- and middle-income countries share a disproportionate burden, with 91% of all deaths from interpersonal violence occurring in LMICs. Intimate partner violence (IPV) is acknowledged as a serious issue for adolescent sexual health, and public health practitioners are increasingly attempting to measure and address this problem. There is ample evidence that comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is associated with positive knowledge, attitudes, and skills around sexuality and sexual health. Due to its emphasis on human rights and gender equality, CSE may be a successful intervention in addressing and preventing adolescent intimate partner violence. However, few reviews have focused on the association between CSE and intimate partner violence among adolescents in LMICs. Methods: We conducted a systematic review by searching electronic databases between 2000 and 2022 to evaluate the impact of a comprehensive sexuality education intervention on incidence of intimate partner violence and development of positive gender attitudes among adolescents and young adults in low- and middle-income countries. A total of 253 abstracts were screened, 17 were selected for review, and 6 articles were selected for inclusion. Results: The studies included in the review varied in the incidence of intimate partner violence following participation in a comprehensive sexuality education intervention and varied in change in gender attitudes following participation in the intervention when compared to a control group that did not receive the intervention. Three of the five studies measuring incidence of IPV showed a significant effect related to reports of IPV, with effects differing depending on gender of participants and time since the end of the intervention. Only half of the studies included also measured gender attitudes, with two out of three showing a significant impact on the development of positive gender attitudes. Conclusion: Further studies are needed to determine whether comprehensive sexuality education can play a significant role in preventing intimate partner violence and influencing the development of positive gender norms and attitudes in adolescents and young adults. There may be a limited effect when targeting adolescents alone and not including their households or broader community. However, current evidence suggests that this intervention can affect these outcomes, especially when delivered in early adolescence, including all adolescents, and by well-trained mentors.
Notes:: Thesis (M. P. H.)--Brown University, 2022

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Ramsdell, Emma Katharine, "The impact of comprehensive sexuality education on adolescent intimate partner violence in low- and middle- income countries: a systematic review" (2022). Public Health Theses and Dissertations. Brown Digital Repository. Brown University Library. https://repository.library.brown.edu/studio/item/bdr:5rj22d6t/

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Public Health Theses and Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations for the Public Health department.
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