Sexual Health Programs for Latinx Adolescents: A Meta-analysis

CONTEXT: Latinx adolescents are at risk for negative sexual health outcomes, and many interventions have been developed to reduce this risk. OBJECTIVE: In this meta-analysis, we synthesized the literature on sexual health interventions for Latinx adolescents and examined intervention effects on 3 behavioral outcomes (abstinence, condom use, number of sex partners) and 3 psychological outcomes (safer sex knowledge, intentions, self-efficacy). Moderators of intervention success were explored. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of studies published through January 2019 was conducted by using PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature databases. STUDY SELECTION: All studies included a US-based sample of Latinx adolescents, evaluated sexual health intervention by using an experimental or quasiexperimental design, included a behavioral outcome, and were in English. DATA EXTRACTION: ) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were meta-analyzed by using random-effects models. RESULTS: = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.10 to 0.70), compared with control conditions. Effects were consistent across a number of demographic and clinical characteristics, although culturally tailored interventions produced greater change in condom use than nontailored interventions. LIMITATIONS: There was variation across studies in measures of sexual behavior, and some elements of individual study quality were unclear. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual health interventions have a small but significant impact on improving safer sexual behavior among Latinx adolescents. Health educators should consider the importance of cultural tailoring to program success.