Studies that were conducted in the European Union and evaluated interventions by peer educators to prevent adolescent pregnancy, HIV infection and or the promotion of sexual health in young people aged between 10 to 24 years were eligible for inclusion. Eligible study designs were randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs or before-and-after studies. Eligible comparators were no intervention and/or standard practice. Studies had to report data on at least one primary outcome. Primary outcomes were occurrence of unintended pregnancy and sexually-transmitted disease, sexual experience, age at first sexual intercourse, number of sexual partners, and use of contraceptive methods. A number of secondary outcomes of interest were also noted.
The included trials were conducted in schools in Italy, Germany, Greece and the UK. The participants were students aged between 12 and 20 years. The peer educators were either a similar age to the participants or older educators in trials where the age range of the participants ranged from 13 and 15 years of age (where reported). Training of the peer educators ranged from two to five days in most studies (where reported); two studies reported a total of 60 hours of training. The main activities were information provision, practice of life skills, and condom use demonstration. A range of delivery methods were used including presentations, games, discussion groups, use of anonymous question boxes, role-playing, and dramatisations. The duration of the interventions ranged from four to eight months (where reported).
One reviewer performed the study selection.