The evidence from Health Development Agency review on Sexually Transmitted Infections (2003) suggests that the main features of effective health promotion/education interventions are the: Incorporation of theoretical models of behaviour change, or components of these models, as a basis for intervention, development and implementation Provision of basic, accurate information about the risks of unprotected intercourse and methods of avoiding unprotected intercourse Multi-component- including activities such as skills development, motivation building and attitude change in addition to factual information. Information provision alone is insufficient to influence behaviour change. Incorporation of specific behavioural skills training, for example how to use condoms Based on a detailed understanding of background behaviours, beliefs and risk perceptions of the target population. Formative research can be useful in developing programmes which are appropriate to the target population in terms of age, gender, sexual experience and culture Use of peer educators, particularly with adolescent audiences. Some adolescents may be more comfortable receiving sexuality-related information from peers rather than adults, and peers may also have added credibility because of their perceived recent experience of the issues under discussion Emphasis on promoting condom use, rather than abstinence. Telling people not to have sex is unlikely to be an effective intervention Of appropriate duration, it requires considerable time and multiple activities to change the various antecedents of sexual risk-taking behaviour Local commissioners and practitioners can contribute to the development of a more wide-ranging evidence base by monitoring and evaluating local intervention....