The Effect of Peer-Led Sexual Health Education on Sexual-Related Outcomes for Chinese First-Year College Students: A Quasi-Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of peer-led sexual health education on sexual-related outcomes for Chinese first-year college students. A quasi-randomized controlled trial was conducted among 161 university freshmen who were recruited from two colleges in China. The intervention group received regular education and an 11-week peer sex education program, while the control group received only regular education. Data on sexual knowledge, sexual attitudes, sexual behavior, sexual self-efficacy, sexual refusal self-efficacy, sexual behavioral intentions, social norms, and gender stereotypes were collected at baseline (T0), immediately post-intervention (T1), 1-month post-intervention (T2) and 3-month post-intervention (T3). After controlling for covariates, generalized estimating equation was performed to examine the effects of the intervention on the outcomes. The intervention significantly improved sexual knowledge, affirmativeness of sexual attitudes, pro-homosexuality, sexual refusal self-efficacy, and social norms, and reduced negativity of sexual attitudes, openness of sexual attitudes, sexual behavior intentions, and gender stereotypes at T1, T2, and T3 for participants in the intervention group. However, peer-led sexual health education did not show significant effects on sexual behavior and sexual self-efficacy among the participants. Peer-led sexual health education had a positive impact on most sexual-related outcomes for Chinese first-year college students. Future research needs to examine the longer term impacts of peer education on sexual behaviors and sexual self-efficacy.