Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: A School-Based Peer Education Program for Adolescents During COVID-19 Pandemic

Introduction: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) constitutes a major health concern among youth. However, less is known about the useful ways to prevent NSSI. As such, the NSSI- Peer Education Program (NSSI-PEP) aims to intervene on the vulnerability factors that predispose to NSSI by applying a peer education approach. The NSSI-PEP is grounded on the psychoanalytic tradition's tenets, implementing modules targeting four crucial risk factors for NSSI: pubertal transformation, body image, self-esteem, and emotion regulation.Methods: Selected 8th grade students were trained to serve as peer educators and held a peer-education intervention for 6th and 7th grade students. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted in order to evaluate the program's effectiveness.Results: Results revealed preliminary support for the program's feasibility, as students reported greater emotion regulation abilities (p = 0.038) and significant changes in self-esteem (p<0.001), personal alienation (p = 0.005), body image (p < 0.001), and maturity fear (p < 0.001). Also, NSSI-PEP was positively evaluated by participants.Discussion: Our pilot study provides preliminary empirical support for the NSSI-PEP, representing a promising way to address areas of vulnerability for NSSI onset. Findings may also help current policies to promote targeted preventive activities and produce sizable benefits to society.

When It “Feels Like a Giant Living Room”: Implementing Peer Education at an Urban, Research-1 Hispanic Serving Institution

We report on a qualitative research study that identifies both challenges and successes resulting from the implementation of a Peer Education program at an urban, Hispanic-serving, Tier 1 Research University. By drawing on the experiences of 29 peer educators, we demonstrate the ways that combining peer mentoring and tutoring provided benefits for those who were not only served but those who served them. Lessons learned are shared.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Peer Education Program on Health Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices

Kelab Doktor Muda (KDM) which translates as Young Doctors Club was established by the Ministry of Health (MOH) Malaysia to train a group of schoolchildren as educators in assisting their peers to adopt healthy practices. This research aims to assess the effectiveness of KDM as a peer education program to increase the health knowledge of school children, and instil healthy practices among schoolchildren by identifying the difference in the level of knowledge, attitude and health practice between school with KDM (SKDM) and school without KDM (NKDM). This is a nationwide comparative cross-sectional study between SKDM and NKDM. This study was carried out between March 2016 and March 2017. Data were obtained using a guided self-administered questionnaire through survey involving 2588 (1294 SKDM; 1294 NKDM) year 5 (11 years old) schoolchildren from 87 primary schools nationwide. The results revealed a significantly higher overall knowledge score of health practices, knowledge and practice score for No Smoking component, as well as hand hygiene knowledge in SKDM compared to NKDM. Schoolchildren in SKDM also had significantly lower BMI compared to NKDM, directly related to healthy eating, active lifestyle and ideal body weight, 3 of the 6 components in this program. As a conclusion, the program was found to be not only effective in increasing the overall knowledge of health practice among schoolchildren, but also results in a meaningful impact to the health of schoolchildren. Further improvements to the modules however should be undertaken to enable more comprehensive changes on the health practices of schoolchildren.

Using Peer Education to Promote Balance, Fitness, and Physical Activity Among Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

Background. The current study examined a peer education program aimed at increasing physical activity participation and promoting fitness and balance among adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Methods. Twenty-two individuals (N Male=13, N Female=9, Mean age=26.7) with ID participated in exercise and education sessions two days a week for 6-weeks. Pre- and post- tests were implemented. Results. Participants significantly reduced their waist circumference, t(18)=1.83, p<.05, increased physical activity participation, t(10)=3.62, p<.001, and improved their performance on sit-to-stand test, t(17)=4.78, p<.001, and balance test, t(18)=1.76, p<.05,. No significant changes on BMI, hand grid test, and 6-minute walking test. Conclusion. Peer education shows promising effects on promoting physical activity, fitness, and balance among individuals with ID.

Breaking barriers in the prevention of adolescent pregnancies for in-school children in Kirehe district (Rwanda): a mixed-method study for the development of a peer education program on sexual and reproductive health

Background Despite a variety of mainly school-driven prevention strategies, the number of adolescent pregnancies in Rwanda is worryingly high and is even expected to increase. The aim of this study is to empower Kirehe secondary school students aged 15–19 years old in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) by developing a peer education program. Methods A combination of quantitative and qualitative research will be used. A pre- and post-survey will examine adolescents’ knowledge and attitudes regarding SRH. In addition, six focus group interviews will explore these knowledge, attitudes but also SRH needs more in depth. Based on the obtained information, and after retrieving experts’ input, a peer education program is being developed in which Midwifery students obtain training in SRH and educational skills (= first train-the-trainer module). In turn, these students will educate and train a selected group of secondary school students (= second train the trainer module). Finally, these trained in-school students can act as reliable peers for other in-school students in the context of SRH. Discussion The project will contribute to 1) more independent and thoughtful decisions in contraception and sexual behavior, and consequently less adolescent pregnancies, and 2) the reinforcement of the Rwandan Midwifery education. Trial registration University of Rwanda, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institutional Review Board, Approval No 158/CMHS IRB/2019.

Corrigendum to: Young Deadly Free: impact evaluation of a sexual health youth peer education program in remote Australian communities

Background:Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote and very remote communities in Australia experience high rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs), 4- to 29-fold the rates reported for non-Aboriginal people living in remote areas. Young people aged 16–29 years are particularly vulnerable to STIs. The Young Deadly Free (YDF) sexual health youth peer education program was implemented in 15 remote or very remote communities in four Australian jurisdictions in an effort to address endemic STI rates in these communities. The present study sought to evaluate the effect of YDF for Aboriginal young people. Methods: Young people (n = 128) participated in youth peer educator training to deliver peer education sessions on sexual health topics to other young people in their communities. Pre and post surveys were used to examine changes in STI knowledge, attitudes and behavioural intentions of the young people attending the peer education sessions. GHRANITE software extracted deidentified STI testing data for young people attending 13 community health services. Results: Young people (n = 426) attended peer education sessions delivered by trained youth peer educators. Pre and post surveys were completed by 174 and 172 young people respectively (median age 20 years). Gains were reported in STI knowledge, intentions to test (χ2 = 10.58, d.f. = 4, n = 142, P Conclusions: Peer education can enhance the sexual health literacy of young Aboriginal people residing in remote communities. The extent to which knowledge gains result in behaviours that prevent STI transmission requires further evaluation. Normalising STI testing among Aboriginal young people would help reduce feelings of shame.

Young Deadly Free: impact evaluation of a sexual health youth peer education program in remote Australian communities

Background Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote and very remote communities in Australia experience high rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs), 4- to 29-fold the rates reported for non-Aboriginal people living in remote areas. Young people aged 16–29 years are particularly vulnerable to STIs. The Young Deadly Free (YDF) sexual health youth peer education program was implemented in 15 remote or very remote communities in four Australian jurisdictions in an effort to address endemic STI rates in these communities. The present study sought to evaluate the effect of YDF for Aboriginal young people. Methods: Young people (n = 128) participated in youth peer educator training to deliver peer education sessions on sexual health topics to other young people in their communities. Pre and post surveys were used to examine changes in STI knowledge, attitudes and behavioural intentions of the young people attending the peer education sessions. GHRANITE software extracted deidentified STI testing data for young people attending 13 community health services. Results: Young people (n = 426) attended peer education sessions delivered by trained youth peer educators. Pre and post surveys were completed by 174 and 172 young people respectively (median age 20 years). Gains were reported in STI knowledge, intentions to test (χ2 = 10.58, d.f. = 4, n = 142, P &lt; 0.001) and number of STI tests (50.8% increase from baseline). Feelings of shame associated with STI testing remained high (39.5% post survey). Conclusions: Peer education can enhance the sexual health literacy of young Aboriginal people residing in remote communities. The extent to which knowledge gains result in behaviours that prevent STI transmission requires further evaluation. Normalising STI testing among Aboriginal young people would help reduce feelings of shame.