Effectiveness of an 'Abstinence-Focused' Sex Education Program

Researchers evaluated the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Sex Education Program, an abstinence-focused intervention of 1,118 predominantly Mexican-American middle school adolescents in grades 6-8. Students received 10 weekly, 45-minute sessions about the potential negative consequences of sex, methods of preventing STDs and pregnancy, and communication skills to negotiate lowest-risk relationships. Knowledge increased significantly (54% to 67%). Attitudes reflected increased beliefs that sex is not a safe activity for teens, abstinence is the most effective means of preventing consequences, and that a person should practice abstinence until in a long-term relationship. The intervention significantly increased knowledge about sexual activity and created more positive attitudes and increased commitment to abstinence. Shifts in knowledge and attitudes were significantly associated with intentions to abstain from sex until in a long-term relationship. Adolescent & Family Health, page 29