Prevention of HIV/AIDS, other STIs and Pregnancy: Group-based Comprehensive Risk Reduction Interventions for Adolescents
Comprehensive Risk Reduction (CRR) promotes behaviors that prevent or reduce the risk of pregnancy, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These interventions may: a) suggest a hierarchy of recommended behaviors, identifying abstinence as the “best,” or “preferred,” method but also providing information about sexual risk reduction strategies; b) promote abstinence and sexual risk reduction without placing one approach above another; or c) primarily or solely promote sexual risk reduction strategies. This review evaluated CRR interventions delivered in school or community settings to groups of adolescents (10-19 years old). These interventions may also include other components such as condom distribution and STI testing.
Task Force Recommendations & Findings
The Task Force on Community Preventive Services recommends group-based comprehensive risk reduction (CRR) delivered to adolescents to promote behaviors that prevent or reduce the risk of pregnancy, HIV, and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The recommendation is based on sufficient evidence of effectiveness in: reducing a number of self-reported risk behaviors, including (1) engagement in any sexual activity, (2) frequency of sexual activity, (3) number of partners, and (4) frequency of unprotected sexual activity; (5) increasing the self-reported use of protection against pregnancy and STIs; and (6) reducing the incidence of self-reported or clinically-documented sexually transmitted infections. There is limited direct evidence of effectiveness, however, for reducing pregnancy and HIV.
Task Force findings and rationale statement
These results were based on a systematic review of all available studies, conducted on behalf of the Task Force by a team of specialists in systematic review methods, and in research, practice and policy related to adolescent health and prevention of pregnancy, HIV and other STIs.
Results from the Systematic Reviews
The Task Force recommendation presented on this page was reviewed in June 2009 and finalized in October 2009. A more detailed summary will be posted here in the future. Please sign up for updates to be notified of this posting.
Supporting Materials
Publications
Community Guide publications about Prevention of HIV/AIDS, other STIs and Pregnancy
Disclaimer
The findings and conclusions on this page are those of the authors and the Task Force on Community Preventive Services and do not necessarily represent the official position of CDC.
Sample Citation
The content of publications of the Guide to Community Preventive Services is in the public domain. Citation as to source, however, is appreciated. Sample citation: Guide to Community Preventive Services. Prevention of HIV/AIDS, other STIs and Pregnancy: Group-based comprehensive risk reduction interventions for adolescents. www.thecommunityguide.org/hiv/riskreduction.html. Last updated: MM/DD/YYYY.
Review completed: June 2009
- Page last reviewed: November 5, 2009
- Page last updated: November 5, 2009
- Content source: The Guide to Community Preventive Services
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