Nursing and Midwifery Studies

Nursing and Midwifery Studies

The effectiveness of community-based life skills education in preventing adolescent health risk behaviors: A systematic review

Document Type : Review

Authors
Farhati Farhati 1
Risna Dewi Yanti 1
Dian Nur Hadianti 1
Agustin Kusumayati 2
Muhammad Yani 3
Sabarinah Prasetyo 2
1 Doctoral Program in Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia, Indonesia AND Department of Midwifery, Health Polytechnic Ministry of Health Bandung, Indonesia
2 Faculty of Public Health, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
3 Faculty of Medicine, Syiah Kuala University Banda Aceh, Indonesia
10.48307/nms.2025.500383.1550
Abstract
Background: The high prevalence of health risk behaviors among adolescents remains a major public health concern, leading to significant long-term consequences for individuals and society. Life skills education is recognized as an effective strategy to equip adolescents with the competencies required to make informed and healthy life decisions.
Objectives: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of community-based life skills education in preventing risky health behaviors among adolescents.
Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Comprehensive searches were performed in Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO, and Google Scholar using the keywords “adolescent,” “teen,” “youth,” “health risk behaviors,” “sexual behavior,” “substance abuse,” “Human Immunodeficiency Virus,” “tobacco dependence,” “youth empowerment,” “life skills education,” and “community,” combined with the Boolean operators “AND” and “OR.” Eligible studies included adolescents aged 10–24 years, community-based life skills interventions, and outcomes related to sexual behavior, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS prevention. Randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental, and observational studies published in English between 2014 and 2024 were included. Two independent reviewers assessed methodological quality using the JBI critical appraisal tool. Of 1,107 identified records, 17 studies met the inclusion criteria.
Results: Multicomponent interventions integrating life skills training, social empowerment, family support, and economic incentives were effective in improving knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy while reducing engagement in risky behaviors. Variations in outcomes were influenced by social context, implementation fidelity, and program design.
Conclusion: Community-based life skills education is an effective approach for promoting healthy behaviors and reducing risk among adolescents, although its impact may be limited in high-risk or socially disadvantaged groups.
Keywords
Adolescent health
Community-based intervention
Life skills
Health risk behaviors
Systematic review

Subjects

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Nursing and Midwifery Studies
Volume 14, Issue 4
Autumn 2025
Pages 315-329

  • Receive Date 17 January 2025
  • Revise Date 06 August 2025
  • Accept Date 09 November 2025