The incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is rising. As young men with STIs are more likely to pass on the infection than women, it is conceivable that interventions encouraging young men to use condoms may reduce rates of STIs in both sexes.

We searched for systematic reviews and recent trials focusing on this area. We found one review that had looked at males of all ages and subsequently chose also to include a review of sexual health interventions aimed at young people of both sexes.

The only single sex studies that were included in these reviews were not directed at our chosen population – young men in general. Amongst the studies of interventions aimed at both sexes, there were two that reported results for young men separately. Both of these studies were of school based sex education programmes: one from Scotland (“the SHARE programme”) and another from the USA (“Safer Choices”). In addition, we identified a recent, small study of condom promotion videos among American college-students.

The Scottish study demonstrated no effect on condom use amongst boys. The American school-based study, on the other hand, showed positive (statistically significant) results for several different outcomes: boys who received the intervention had less unprotected sex with fewer partners, than boys receiving standard sex education. Condom use at last intercourse was also statistically significantly higher. The use of safersex-promoting videos amongst college-students gave promising, but largely statistically non-significant, results.

We found two systematic reviews of qualitative studies. One of the reviews identified seven themes influencing young people’s sexual behaviour that were seen across studies from different countries and cultures. The other review identified common characteristics of successful STI/HIV prevention interventions carried out in the USA. The results of the review implied that tailor made interventions were more likely to yield positive results than a “one size fits all” approach.

There are no immediate conclusions to be drawn from the studies we have included. There is a need for high quality effect studies for new interventions in this area.