Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for inclusion. The duration of follow-up in the included studies ranged from 1 week to 1 year.
Specific interventions included in the review
There were no clear inclusion criteria relating to the intervention. The interventions evaluated in the included studies were group or individual sessions of information, motivation, behavioural skills, parenting, videos, role play and counselling. The studies were set in schools, the community or hospitals.
Participants included in the review
Studies of adolescent females, defined as women under 19 years of age, were eligible for inclusion. The age of the participants in the included studies ranged from 11 to 19 years. The majority of the participants belonged to racial minority groups.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies reporting sexual behaviour or biological outcomes were eligible for inclusion. The outcomes reported in the included studies were condom use, the number of sexual partners, participation in 'risky sex' (defined as sex after the use of drugs or alcohol, and anal or oral intercourse), the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and HIV risk behaviours. Studies reporting attitudinal or knowledge changes were excluded.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors did not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many reviewers performed the selection.