University-based behavioral interventions to promote safer sex practices: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to critically review the characteristics and effectiveness of university-based intervention to promote safer sex practice. Participants and Methods: The published studies were selected from 5 databases with the publication year restricted between 1974 and 2018. The data were then pooled using a random-effect meta-analysis. Results: A total of 41 studies with 10,144 participants were included from 5,253 potentially relevant citations. Compared with minimal intervention, those people who participated in the intervention reported a statistically significant increase in the frequency of condom use (SMD 0.61; 95%CI 0.46–0.77, I2 = 9%). There was an insignificant change after the intervention (SMD 0.34; 95%CI −0.04–0.72, I2 = 72%) in communication with sexual partners and the heterogeneity existed in diversity of sessions of the intervention. Conclusion: Behavioral interventions can significantly increase in the frequency of condom use but not in communication with sexual partners. A standardized measurement is a necessary consideration for future studies.