Evaluating a Peer Intervention Strategy for the Promotion of Sexual Health-Related Knowledge and Skills in 10- to 14-Year-Old Girls. Findings from the “Entre Amigas” Project in Nicaragua

Abstract

Purpose.

Report effects on knowledge of sexual health and gender from an intervention using peer methodology in Nicaragua.

Design.

A prepost nonequivalent control group design.

Setting.

Ciudad Sandino, Managua, Nicaragua.

Subjects.

A total of 599 girls were surveyed, 60% nonintervened and 40% intervened.

Intervention.

Peer methodology consisted of (1) meetings in which girls talked and worked with other girls, (2) mothers taking an active role in the peer groups, and/or (3) girls watching the soap opera “Sexto Sentido.”

Measures.

Indices measuring changes in sexual knowledge and gender vision.

Results.

Girls participating in the peer groups were twice as likely to have satisfactory sexual health-related self-esteem as those who did not participate. Eleven percent of the girls achieved satisfactory self-esteem as a result of the (peer groups × mothers) interaction and 15% due to the (peer groups × mothers × “Sexto Sentido”) interaction. Girls participating in the peer groups were three times as likely to have satisfactory gender visions; if exposed to all three components, they were almost four times as likely to develop satisfactory gender visions.

Conclusions.

Peer methodology, participation of a female family member, and an educational soap opera seem beneficial in promoting sexual health-related knowledge and gender vision in young girls.