Trial reportPloS one2026
Impact of structured sexual health training incorporating standardised patients on health professions students' sexual health communication competence: A single-blind randomised controlled trial in Tanzania.
Trial report in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06428058 (Evaluating the Effects of Reproductive Health Training on Provider Behavior), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Evaluating the Effects of Reproductive Health Training on Provider Behavior
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
aimTo evaluate the effect of a structured sexual health training programme incorporating standardised patients (SPs) on health professions students' sexual health communication competence, as assessed by SPs, in a Tanzanian setting.
designSingle-blind randomised controlled trial with parallel-group allocation.
settingMuhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
participantsA total of 312 undergraduate medical and nursing students were enrolled at the university.
interventionStructured sexual health training incorporating didactic teaching, small-group discussions, role-play, and SP-based practice sessions. OUTCOME MEASURES: Sexual health communication competence was assessed using SP-rated checklists at baseline and at six-month follow-up.
resultsOf 310 health profession students, 73.5% were in their final year. The mean age was 24.29 years (SD = 2.51). 22.6% were female, and 60.0% reported prior sexual health training. Baseline competence scores were similar across groups. At the six-month follow-up, competence improved in both groups, with greater gains in the treatment group. Mixed ANOVA showed a significant time effect (p < .001) and a time-by-group interaction (p = .002). Exploratory item-level analyses indicated higher scores in the treatment group across most sexual health communication competencies, particularly in rapport, empathy, and information-gathering, with no significant difference observed for clear and understandable language.
conclusionStructured SP-based sexual health training incorporating SPs significantly improved sexual health communication competence during simulated consultations, particularly in patient-engagement domains. These findings support incorporating culturally adapted sexual health training into healthcare education and using SP assessments to evaluate communication competence in sensitive clinical contexts.
trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06428058. Registered 30 November 2023.
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