Evaluation of the "let's talk" safer sex intervention in Nepal.

This study is an evaluation of a pilot of the Let's Talk Intervention for Nepali women for effectiveness in increasing sexual health communication between women and the men in their lives. The intervention included 88 women in Kathmandu and spanned three 2-hour group sessions. Baseline, posttest, and follow-up knowledge, attitude, and behavior surveys were completed. Results showed women at posttest and follow-up spoke with more women and men about sex than they had at baseline. Attitudes regarding gender norms about sex improved as a result of the intervention, and shame about sex and sexuality for women decreased after intervention. Women also reported greater comfort discussing sex after the intervention. HIV knowledge scores increased after intervention but dropped again at follow-up, likely because of time constraints in addressing this topic in sufficient detail. This is the first program in Nepal that addresses communication about sexual health while focusing on education and prevention for HIV/STIs for women.