Process evaluation reveals high engagement and communication benefits from an adolescent sexual health intervention, highlighting the utility of structured implementation frameworks.
Key Points
To evaluate the implementation, content delivery, adolescent engagement, and functionality of a school-based sexual health intervention using social marketing principles for adolescents aged 13–14.
Guided by the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) evaluation framework in Finland.
Collected cross-sectional survey data from adolescents (n = 252) and qualitative interview data from teachers (n = 6), supplemented with researcher observations and direct feedback.
Analyzed quantitative metrics using descriptive statistics and qualitative responses using inductive content analysis.
Nearly 60% of adolescents reported active engagement during intervention sessions, and approximately one-third reported acquiring new insights regarding sexuality.
Adolescents reported high overall satisfaction, valuing opportunities for open sexual communication while requesting further discussion on dating, sexual diversity, and emotional expression.
Teachers identified the modules addressing sexual communication and emotional awareness as the intervention's most successful components.