Effectiveness of Abstinence-Only Intervention in Middle School Teens

Effectiveness of Abstinence-Only Intervention in Middle School Teens

Objectives: To examine effectiveness of abstinence-until-marriage curriculum on knowledge, beliefs, efficacy, intentions, and behavior. Methods: Nonrandomized control trial involving 2069 middle school students with a 5-month follow-up. Results: Intervention students reported increases in knowledge...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of health behavior Vol. 29; no. 5; pp. 423 - 434
Main Authors: Borawski, Elaine A, Trapl, Erika S, Lovegreen, Loren D, Colabianchi, Natalie, Block, Tonya
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: United States PNG Publications 01-09-2005
Subjects:
Adolescent
Beliefs
Contraception
Control Groups
Curriculum
Female
Health Promotion - organization & administration
Humans
Incidence
Intention
Intervention
Male
Marriage
Middle School Students
Multivariate Analysis
Program Evaluation
School Health Services - organization & administration
Sex Education
Sexual Abstinence - statistics & numerical data
Sexuality
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
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Summary:Objectives: To examine effectiveness of abstinence-until-marriage curriculum on knowledge, beliefs, efficacy, intentions, and behavior. Methods: Nonrandomized control trial involving 2069 middle school students with a 5-month follow-up. Results: Intervention students reported increases in knowledge and abstinence beliefs, but decreases in intentions to have sex and to use condoms. Intervention did not influence sexual initiation or condom use; however, intervention students who had sex during the evaluation period reported fewer sexual episodes and fewer partners than did controls. Conclusions: Abstinence-until-marriage interventions can influence knowledge, beliefs, and intentions, and among sexually experienced students, may reduce the prevalence of casual sex. Reduction in condom use intentions merits further study to determine long-term implications.
ISSN:1087-3244
DOI:10.5993/AJHB.29.5.5