Consideration of Heterogeneity in a Meta-analysis of Latino Sexual Health Interventions.

Abstract

* Abbreviation: SRH — : sexual and reproductive health Latino adolescents are disproportionately affected by teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and HIV, persistent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) disparities that represent a national public health concern. Despite progress nationally, Latina adolescents continue to exhibit above-average teenage pregnancy, birth, and repeat birth rates.1 Particularly concerning are the 17% increase in reportable sexually transmitted infections among 10- to 19-year-old Latino adolescents since 2014 and the 6% rise in new HIV diagnoses among 13- to 19-year-old Latino adolescents between 2016 and 2017 alone.2–4 Given these statistics, research is needed to strengthen the evidence on programs to reduce Latino adolescent SRH disparities. In this issue of Pediatrics , Evans et al5 systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of SRH interventions for Latino adolescents. Their findings suggested small to moderate but significant mean pooled intervention effects across all examined behavioral outcomes (abstinence, condom use, and number of sex partners). Building on this evidence, strengthening interventions for Latino adolescents is a priority. Important considerations for the interpretation of meta-analytic review evidence, including clinical, methodologic, and statistical heterogeneity,6 may yield additional insights into factors associated with intervention effectiveness.7,8 We examine these 3 … Address correspondence to Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, PhD, MPH, LCSW, ANP-BC, AAHIVS, Center for Latino Adolescent and Family Health, New York University, 15 Washington Place, New York, NY 10003. E-mail: vincent.ramos{at}nyu.edu