Guy Talk: A Gender-Specific Sexual Education Program to Reduce Sexual Risk Behaviors With High School Males

• Published in: Health education & behavior Vol. 49; no. 4; pp. 593 - 602
• Main Authors: LeCroy, Craig Winston, Milligan-LeCroy, Skyler, Lopez, Darlene
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.08.2022; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Adolescent boys; Adolescents; Assertiveness; Attitudes; Clinical research; Clinical trials; Contraception; Control Groups; Curricula; Educational programs; Empowerment; Feasibility; Gender; Health Behavior; High School Students; Indicators; Interpersonal Competence; Intervention; Males; Masculinity; Program Effectiveness; Qualitative analysis; Risk; Risk behavior; Risk management; Risk reduction; Risk taking; Schools; Secondary schools; Sex Education; Sexual behavior; Single Sex Classes; Skills; Social skills; Student Behavior; Technical skills; Teenagers; Women; school-based evaluation; sexual risk reduction; male empowerment; health protective behavior; adolescent males; adolescent health
• ISSN: 1090-1981; 1552-6127
• DOI: 10.1177/10901981211010441

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of a gender-specific intervention targeted to adolescent males to reduce sexual risks. Method This study used a randomized clinical trial comparing a broad-based male empowerment curriculum with a no-treatment control group. The sample (N = 580) was recruited from schools and was implemented in community-based settings mostly in an after-school context. Assessments were conducted at baseline, postintervention, and 3 months follow-up time periods. Results There were significant differences between the two groups favoring the intervention group on several of the outcome indicators, including condom technical skills, attitudes toward women, social skills, peer assertiveness, and attitudes toward consent. Quality of implementation was rated high, and qualitative data suggest themes that reflect key lessons emphasized in the curriculum. Conclusions Gender-specific programs for adolescent males can help reduce indicators that are related to sexual risk reduction. More long-term follow-up is needed to assess impact on sexual behaviors. Efforts directed at male populations should continue to be researched for potential in reducing sexual risks.