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AIM: To determine the effect of peer education on the knowledge and attitudes of the young about safe sexual life and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). METHOD: In this intervention type epidemiologic study, 1100 youngs were reached at 95% level of significance by probability sampling method. These young people were given education by peer trainers; level of knowledge and attitudes of the young were evaluated before and after education. 'Young's Health Information Form' prepared by the investigators and including questions about safe sexual life, family planning and STDs along with socio-demographic informations was used for data collection. In statistical analysis, 't test' was used for comparison of two averages, one-way anova for three groups in independent groups, 'coupled t test' was used in dependent groups, 'qui-square test' was used for comparison of percents in independent groups, 'McNemar qui-square test' was used in dependent groups. RESULTS: A total of 977 young people (females 45.1%, males 54.9%) aged between 15-24 years were included in the study (response ratio 88.8%). It was determined that 15.6% of unmarried young had a relationship resulted in sexual intercourse. Boys constitute the majority of the young experienced sexual intercourse and mean age of sexual intercourse was determined as 17.6. Of the young, 43.1% had a sexual intercourse with a prostitute, 43.3% with a close friend and a girlfriend, 8.3% with a maquette or an animal. Total knowledge score increased to 32.6 from 14.6 following peer education intervention carried out based on health attitude theories (p<0.05). Significant improvements were detected in each of 'avoidance of sexual intercourse', 'being monogamous' and 'condom use' in the context of safe sexual life (p<0.05). While ratio of modern method use increased to 80.8% from 53.8%, using no methods decraesed to 11.8% from 28%. CONCLUSION: Peer education model is suggested to be beneficial for enlightening the young about safe exual life and also for creating positive behavioral changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]