Gender-transformative school-based sexual health intervention: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Sexuality is central to adolescent development and sexual health education.
• Existing interventions lack a comprehensive gender focus, necessitating new approaches.
• A gender-transformative perspective in sexual education is crucial for health equity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a comprehensive gender-transformative sexual education intervention (ENFOCATE).
• To understand the implementation process of the ENFOCATE program through qualitative studies.
• To provide evidence for culturally pertinent sexual education programs for diverse adolescent populations.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-method experimental design utilizing a parallel cluster-randomized trial (cGRTs).
• Intervention: ENFOCATE, a comprehensive gender-transformative sexual education program.
• Participants: 609 10th and 11th-grade students; randomization by grade; data collected at three time points (pre, post, 3-month follow-up).

Main Results:

• (Study is ongoing; results not yet available in the abstract)

Conclusions:

• Comprehensive, gender-focused sexual education is needed globally for adolescents.
• Gender-transformative approaches enhance sexual health outcomes and contribute to health equity.
• The ENFOCATE program offers a unique, culturally sensitive, and evidence-based model for sexual education.