Serious games for sex education of adolescents and youth: integrative literature review

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to map educational games related to the sexuality of adolescents/young people, based on publications that occurred over the last decade (2011 to 2020). An integrative review was performed in the Web of Science, SCOPUS, MEDLINE/PubMed, and LILACS databases in September 2020, with the final inclusion of 16 studies. Games developed on four continents were identified, predominantly in high-income countries, with the United States of America and Brazil being those that published the most. The tools consisted mostly of videogames and digital games, with the adoption of simulated scenarios and plots. Regarding development, there was a preference for the participatory construction mode, while some also underwent a validation process. The tools addressed several areas of human sexuality and demonstrated a positive potential for use, with educational gains and changes in habits, but their results need to be carefully considered. Only the effects of three games were evaluated by randomized controlled trials.