The effects of peer-education on sexually transmitted diseases and safer sexual life knowledge and behaviour of young people

In this intervention epidemiological research, it was aimed to determine of peer education effect on safer sex life, contraseptive method and sexually transmitted diseases (STI’s) of young people. ‘Health of Young People Information Form’ prepared by researcher was used to data collection. The sample of the study was consisted of 977 young people aged 15-24 years selected by random selection method (Response rate %88.8). 19.8% of them reported that they had a sexual penetration, this ratio was 15.6 % for unmarried youngs. Males had higher sexual life than females, and mean age was 17.6.  Of unmarried youngs, 43.1% of them had first sexual penetration with sex workers,  43.3 % was  close friends, and 8.3 % was other things like animals and sex models.
Based on health behaviour theories, after approximatelly 2 months later of peer education intervention,  the intervention had a significant effect on including contribute positively to the acquisition of knowledge, awareness of sexual risks, knowledge of birth control methods, and prevention of CYBE. It was found the mean of total knowledge score was 14.6 in preintervention period, this score was increased to  32.6 in postintervention. Each of safer sex life steps including ‘abstinence from sex, being faithful, use condom’ changed positively (p<0.05). Modern contraseptive methods usage was increased from 53.8% to 80.8%, any method use was decreased from 28% to 11.8 % on active sexual life of youngs. As a result of this study, we determined the positive knowledge and behaviour changes of peer education program.  Based on these findings, peer education model will give an advantage and useful results for the increasing awareness about safer sex life and STI’s, access to services,  prevention and early diagnosis and treatment of STI’s in the primary health services.

Keywords: Youngs, peer education, STI, safer sex life