2008-03-20 Comprehensive Sex Education Might Reduce Teen Pregnancies

Specs

Date:	2008-03-20
Link:	http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080319151225.htm
Source:	ScienceDaily (articlescat)
Topics:	sex education comprehensive sex education abstinence-based education teen pregnancy science/studies/results science/papers 2008/J Adolesc Health/Abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education and the initiation of sexual activity and teen pregnancy
Categories:	sex education comprehensive sex education abstinence-based education teen pregnancy science/studies/results science/papers 2008/J Adolesc Health/Abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education and the initiation of sexual activity and teen pregnancy

Comprehensive Sex Education Might Reduce Teen Pregnancies, Study Suggests

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Source paper: 2008/J Adolesc Health/Abstinence-only and comprehensive sex education and the initiation of sexual activity and teen pregnancy

New research suggests that comprehensive sex education might lead to less teen pregnancy, and there are no indications that it boosts the levels of sexual intercourse or sexually transmitted diseases.

"It is not harmful to teach teens about birth control in addition to abstinence," said study lead author Pamela Kohler, a program manager at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Parents and educators have long argued over whether students should get instruction in birth control or simply learn how to say no. At issue is which approach will best postpone sex.

Kohler and colleagues examined the results of the 2002 national survey and focused on heterosexual teens ages 15 to 19. The findings — based on responses from 1,719 teens — appear in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

After reviewing the results, which researchers weighted to reflect the U.S. population better, the researchers found that one in four teens received abstinence-only education. Nine percent — particularly the poor and those in rural areas — received no sex education at all. The other two-thirds received comprehensive instruction with discussion of birth control.

Teens who received comprehensive sex education were 60 percent less likely to report becoming pregnant or impregnating someone than those who received no sex education.

Specs:

• Study done in 2002
• Heterosexual teens aged 15 to 19
• 1719 responses received
• ~25% had received only abstinence-based education
• 9% had received no sex education at all (mainly from poor/rural areas)
• ~66% had received comprehensive sex education

shorter text

“New research suggests that comprehensive sex education might lead to less teen pregnancy, and there are no indications that it boosts the levels of sexual intercourse or sexually transmitted diseases.”