![Sample our Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5944/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Medicine-Dentistry-Nursing-Allied-Health.jpg"})
Abstract
Objectives To explore female early school leaver's experience of sexual activity and sex education, and to assess the feasibility and potential impact of a peer-led sex education intervention.
Methods Forty five young female early school leavers and ten peer educators participated in the study. The ten peer educators, early school leavers who were teenage mothers, were trained to deliver the peer-led education intervention. Both quantitative (self-completed questionnaire) and qualitative (focus groups) research methods were used to evaluate the intervention.
Results The average age of participants was 17.5 years. The average age at leaving school was 15 years. Many participants were smokers and took alcohol on a regular basis. Over three quarters of the young women were sexually active. Although most used contraception in the past, over 30% had not the last time they had sex. While participants' knowledge around sexual issues showed some improvement following the pilot intervention, there was little change in attitudes to sexual behaviour.
Conclusions This feasibility study was very well received by both peer educators and participants. To assess the effectiveness of the intervention we recommend that a larger randomised control trial be conducted.
Acknowledgements
This study was funded by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, Dublin. The authors would like to thank all the peer educators and participants who gave up their time to take part in the study. Thanks also to the staff in the Department of Public Health and Primary Care, in particular Dr Karen Keogh, Ms Deirdre Handy, and Ms Ann O'Cuinneagain.
Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and the writing of the paper.