A new Cochrane Review found that computers are as effective as in-person consultations when it comes to sex education.

Computer-based interventions are a promising alternative and have already proved successful in the promotion of HIV-related sexual health, but there is less certainty about whether computer-based interventions can help with other sexual health concerns such as unwanted pregnancy, psychosexual difficulties or relationship problems.

Julia V. Bailey, MD, a researcher in the University College London's e-Health Unit, led the study and noted "This review suggests interactive computer-based interventions are effective tools for learning about sexual health and could be used by people of different ages and sexuality, at least in high-income countries" after analyzing "data from 15 trials which tested interactive computer-based interventions (ICBIs), involving a total of 3,917 people."

"We need some new ways of tackling problems such as genital Chlamydia: more and more people have access to mobile phones and the Internet, and these routes can be used to provide personally relevant health promotion," she explained.

"Knowing the main reasons for risky behaviour in a given population would help to suggest which factors a computer package should target. For example, are there particular myths that need to be addressed? Computer packages will not be a magic bullet, but people can access them anonymously and at convenient times, which is especially important for sexual health."

Presently sites like Scarleteen.com, SexEtc.org, ChickRx.com, MTV's ItsYourSexLife.com plus Adventures in Sex City, an online comic book-styled game, promote healthy habits, dispel myths and provide detail age-appropriate information on everything from STD screening to sexual readiness.

Source: Independent 8 September 2010