EMPOWERING MINDS AND BODIES: THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A PEER-LED SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR YOUTH

Abstract

This study analyzes the effectiveness of El Rio Health Reproductive Health Access Project’s (RHAP’s) peer-led sexual health education workshops for youth called Pizza Protection Parties. Youth ages 14-24 in Tucson, Arizona attended a Pizza Protection Party at a Youth Reengagement Center with Goodwill Industries of Southern Arizona and then participated in a focus group to share their perspectives about the workshop. This study gained youth insight from pre-test and post-test knowledge surveys, an online survey after the workshop, observation notes, and focus group responses. Youth participants viewed the Pizza Protection Party and peer-led education as a useful experience to learn about sexual health topics and resources available in their community. Participants obtained new sexual health knowledge as reflected by focus group responses and the knowledge surveys. Youth also provided suggestions for how to improve the Pizza Protection Party with more in-depth sexual health information as well as changes to make the workshop more inclusive and engaging. RHAP can utilize these perspectives to improve the effectiveness and quality of Pizza Protection Parties as peer-led sexual health education for youth.