The effect of technology-based interventions on adolescent and youth sexual health: an umbrella review
In brief
Digital interventions boost adolescent sexual health knowledge, not condom use
An umbrella review of 23 systematic reviews found that technology-based programs consistently improved cognitive outcomes and service use among teens, but they did not reduce pregnancy rates or increase condom use. Behavioral effects were mixed, with some studies showing modest gains in STI screening and risky-behavior reduction. More research is needed to clarify why behavior change lags behind knowledge gains.
- Journal
- Sexual medicine reviews (Q1)
- Published
- 30 June 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review / meta-analysis of RCTs
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1a)
- Authors
- Azam Rahmani, Serwan Jafar Bakey, Shukur Abdulkareem Mahmood, Zahra Amrollah Majdabadi, Malihe Tabarrai, Sevil Hakimi, et al.
- PMID
- 42476541
- DOI
- 10.1093/sxmrev/qeag021
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Dermatology (top studies of the week, 26 July 2026): Umbrella review of technology‑based sexual health, not dermatology
- Picked for Obstetrics and Gynecology (top studies of the week, 26 July 2026).
- Picked for Urology (top studies of the week, 26 July 2026).
- Picked for Reproductive Medicine (top studies of the week, 26 July 2026).
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Adolescent and youth sexual health has become a public health challenge. This study aims to review existing systematic reviews on technology-based interventions for adolescent and youth sexual health and to identify effective interventions in this domain. METHODS: This umbrella review examined all systematic review articles indexed in Web of Science, Scopus, and Medline, up to October 2023. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: (1) targeted adolescents and young adults, (2) contained interventions related to sexual and reproductive health with at least one technological intervention, (3) included randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies with a comparison group, and (4) in single-group studies, pre-test and post-test assessments with a comparison group exposed only to a control group without other interventions. Relevant data were synthesized narratively, given the heterogeneity in outcomes, measurements, and effect sizes, which precluded meta-analysis. RESULTS: Data extraction included 23 articles on technology-based interventions, with 5 meta-analyses and 18 systematic reviews. Outcomes were categorized into behavioral, cognitive, psychological, biological, and service-related classifications. Thirteen studies reported positive cognitive outcomes, and 3 reported positive service-related outcomes, indicating effective interventions. However, while the majority of reviews suggested positive effects on behavioral outcomes, some behavioral results did not show positive impacts. MHealth interventions did not impact pregnancy incidence or condom use. Reports suggested that social media and text messaging might affect behaviors such as sexually transmitted infection screening/testing and risky sexual behaviors, although evidence for these effects was weak. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the effectiveness of technology-based interventions in enhancing the sexual health of adolescents and young adults, particularly in cognitive and service-related outcomes. However, it also reveals inconsistencies in behavioral outcomes, indicating a need for further research to better understand these variations.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.