Can media promote responsible sexual behaviors among adolescents and young adults?
OBJECTIVE
The paper reviews the most recent US and non-US literature on media interventions designed to decrease sexual risk behaviors among adolescents and young adults, and their impact on youth's sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. This review focuses on interventions using mass media, computers and the Internet.


RESULTS
Recent research suggests that a variety of media sources and strategies that include mass media communication, computer-assisted instruction and the Internet can be used effectively for increasing knowledge and changing attitudes on sexual health issues and for promoting responsible sexual behaviors among young people. Media interventions seem to be more effective to achieve these goals when an array of channels are used simultaneously and when these efforts are sustained over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Policymakers, school systems, parents and health providers need to be aware that media can be used effectively to decrease sexual risk behaviors in adolescents and young adults, especially when complemented with interpersonal strategies. These interventions can be implemented in different settings such as clinics, schools and colleges and even at a national level through large media campaigns.
Delgado
Hernan M
HM
Division of Adolescent, Young Adult Medicine, Department of Medicine, Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. hernan.delgado@childrens.harvard.edu
Austin
S Bryn
SB
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008402:Mass Media; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014743:Videotape Recording