A psychoeducational programme increased knowledge and decreased sexual risk behaviours in young adults with genital herpes
QUESTION: In young adults with genital herpes, does a group psychoeducational intervention led by nurses decrease sexual health risk and improve psychosocial adaptation?
Design
Randomised {allocation concealed}*, unblinded, controlled trial of 6 months duration.
Setting
A metropolitan area on the west coast of the US.
Patients
252 adults (mean age 27 y, 77% women, 80% white, 70% single, 84% employed, 10% lesbian or gay, mean education 15 y, mean annual income US$22 000) with confirmed symptomatic genital herpes diagnosed within the previous 5 years. Adults with histories of inpatient treatment for psychiatric conditions or alcohol or drug abuse were excluded. Follow up was 87%.
Intervention
131 adults were allocated to the group psychoeducational sessions. The intervention consisted of three 90 minute group sessions led by a nurse and emphasised problem solving, skills building, and peer and professional …
