'The real deal': a feasibility study of peer-led sex education for early school leavers.

Objectives: To explore female early school leaver's experience of sexual activity and sex education, and to assess the feasibility and potential impact of a peer-led sex education intervention.

Methods: Forty five young female early school leavers and ten peer educators participated in the study. The ten peer educators, early school leavers who were teenage mothers, were trained to deliver the peer-led education intervention. Both quantitative (self-completed questionnaire) and qualitative (focus groups) research methods were used to evaluate the intervention.

Results: The average age of participants was 17.5 years. The average age at leaving school was 15 years. Many participants were smokers and took alcohol on a regular basis. Over three quarters of the young women were sexually active. Although most used contraception in the past, over 30% had not the last time they had sex. While participants' knowledge around sexual issues showed some improvement following the pilot intervention, there was little change in attitudes to sexual behaviour.

Conclusions: This feasibility study was very well received by both peer educators and participants. To assess the effectiveness of the intervention we recommend that a larger randomised control trial be conducted.