NEW REPORT STATES ABSTINENCE EDUCATION BEST PRACTICE IN PREVENTING TEEN PREGNANCY AND STDS
Study compares methods of abstinence and comprehensive sex education
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (June 11, 2007) –“Abstinence” or “Comprehensive” Sex Education, a newly published study by The Institute for Research and Evaluation in Salt Lake City, Utah reports that abstinence programs targeting teen attitudes, values, efficacy and goals regarding abstinence, sexuality and relationships produce significant, long-term reductions in adolescent sexual activity.
“This study reinforces the need for abstinence education that addresses the relationship of sexual activity to the well-being of the whole person, rather than treating it as an unrelated behavior,” said Lesley Scearce, executive director for Why Know Abstinence Education Programs. “To achieve this, Why Know strives to equip teens with the information, ongoing support and life skills they need to make healthy choices for a successful future.”
Additionally, the report advocates sex education that teaches teens to avoid risky behavior by practicing abstinence over sex education that teaches teens to reduce risks by using a condom. To support this recommendation, researcher cite the review of 50 comprehensive sex education programs in the United States, which states “None of the programs increased the prevalence of consistent condom use among adolescents for a period greater than one year, and 13 control trials of comprehensive sex education found no increase in teen condom use for any period of time.”
In Hamilton County, abstinence education is working. Since Why Know’s inception in 1991, the teen pregnancy rate in Hamilton County has nearly been cut in half, decreasing from 28.9 to 14.7 in 2005 (per 1,000 teenage girls). There has also been a correlating decrease in the rate of teen abortion and overall sexual activity.
Despite these declines, Hamilton County remains one of the highest ranked counties in Tennessee for teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. More than 44 percent of Hamilton County high school students report having sexual intercourse at least once, and 35 percent report having sexual intercourse by the age 13-14.
“To overcome this problem, we must continue to provide teens with the resources needed to make healthy choices for their future,” says Scearce. “When teens have the education and most important, support, abstinence is realistic and achievable.”
About The Institute for Research and Evaluation:
For more than 15 years, The Institute for Research and Evaluation has conducted more than 100 evaluations of abstinence education interventions in 30 states. Other areas of focus include teen pregnancy, AIDS prevention and character education curricula. It was founded in 1985.
About Why Know:
Why Know Abstinence Education, Inc. is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Why Know works closely with schools, churches, and civic organizations to equip teens to be sexually abstinent by giving in-depth knowledge, ongoing support and life skills for a successful future. Why Know serves 57 schools in the Chattanooga and North Georgia, and its curriculum is used in 40 states and 11 countries. For more information about Why Know, visit www.whyknow.org or call 423.899.9188.
