Evidence based prevention

Prevention programmes and campaigns are most effective when systematically planned, derived from relevant theory, and based on thorough scientific evidence. This presupposes not only descriptive monitoring of levels and changes in risk-taking, but, more importantly, an adequate understanding of barriers and facilitators of risky and protective behaviors in the domain of sexual health.

In addition, prevention campaigns will only succeed in motivating individuals to adopt and maintain protective behaviors over time when effective communication formats and channels are used to deliver persuasive messages. Policy reports, strategic advise, and prevention campaigns produced by IPSR reflect the requisite state-of-the-science evidence on trends in risk-taking, psychosocial determinants of behavior, as well as proficiency in persuasive communication.