Single-Session Behavioral Interventions for Sexual Risk Reduction: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based, single-session STI/HIV interventions to reduce sexual risk taking are potentially effective options for implementation in resource-limited settings and may solve problems associated with poor participant retention. PURPOSE: The purpose of the study is to estimate the efficacy of single-session, behavioral interventions in reducing unprotected sex or increasing condom use. METHODS: Data sources were searched through April 2013 producing 67 single-session interventions (52 unique reports; N = 20,039) that included outcomes on condom use and/or unprotected sex. RESULTS: Overall, participants in single-session interventions reduced sexual risk taking relative to control groups (d + = 0.19, 95 % CI = 0.11, 0.27). Within-group effects of the interventions were larger than the between-groups effects when compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Brief, targeted single-session sexual risk reduction interventions demonstrate a small but significant effect and should be prioritized.

Meta-analysis of single-session behavioral interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections: implications for bundling prevention packages.

Evidence-based, single-session behavioral interventions are urgently needed for preventing the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To estimate the efficacy of single-session, behavioral interventions for STI prevention, we collected data from 29 single-session interventions (20 studies; n = 52 465) with an STI outcome. Infection with an STI was 35% less likely (odds ratio = 0.65; 95% confidence interval = 0.55-0.77) among intervention group participants than among control group participants. Single-session interventions offer considerable benefits in terms of disease prevention and create minimal burden for both the patient and the provider. Brief and effective STI prevention interventions are a valuable tool and can be readily adapted to bolster the benefits of biomedical technologies focusing on the prevention of HIV and other STIs.