HEALTH Abstinence-Only Education Really does work

[PHD]

Efficacy of a Theory-Based Abstinence-Only Intervention Over 24 Months
A Randomized Controlled Trial With Young Adolescents

ohn B. Jemmott III, PhD; Loretta S. Jemmott, PhD, RN; Geoffrey T. Fong, PhD


Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2010;164(2):152-159.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of an abstinence-only intervention in preventing sexual involvement in young adolescents.

Design Randomized controlled trial.

Setting Urban public schools.

Participants A total of 662 African American students in grades 6 and 7.

Interventions An 8-hour abstinence-only intervention targeted reduced sexual intercourse; an 8-hour safer sex–only intervention targeted increased condom use; 8-hour and 12-hour comprehensive interventions targeted sexual intercourse and condom use; and an 8-hour health-promotion control intervention targeted health issues unrelated to sexual behavior. Participants also were randomized to receive or not receive an intervention maintenance program to extend intervention efficacy.

Outcome Measures The primary outcome was self-report of ever having sexual intercourse by the 24-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes were other sexual behaviors.

Results The participants' mean age was 12.2 years; 53.5% were girls; and 84.4% were still enrolled at 24 months. Abstinence-only intervention reduced sexual initiation (risk ratio [RR], 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-0.96). The model-estimated probability of ever having sexual intercourse by the 24-month follow-up was 33.5% in the abstinence-only intervention and 48.5% in the control group. Fewer abstinence-only intervention participants (20.6%) than control participants (29.0%) reported having coitus in the previous 3 months during the follow-up period (RR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.90-0.99). Abstinence-only intervention did not affect condom use. The 8-hour (RR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-1.00) and 12-hour comprehensive (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.91-0.99) interventions reduced reports of having multiple partners compared with the control group. No other differences between interventions and controls were significant.

Conclusion Theory-based abstinence-only interventions may have an important role in preventing adolescent sexual involvement.

http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/co...ce&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT

 

[big_sarge]

Need to see A LOT MORE of the methods section before you can assess the validity of this study.

 

[PHD]

(CNN) -- An abstinence-only education program is more effective than other initiatives at keeping sixth- and seventh-graders from having sex within a two-year period, according to a study described by some as a landmark.

The study, published in the current issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, indicated that about one-third of the preteens and their young teen classmates who received an eight-hour abstinence lesson had sexual intercourse within two years of the class.

By comparison, more than half of the students who were taught about safe sex and condom use reported having intercourse by the two-year mark, and more than 40 percent of students who received either an eight- or 12-hour lesson incorporating both abstinence education and safe sex reported having sex at two years.

Among students who received instruction on overall good health, but not having to do with sex directly, nearly 47 percent had sexual activity in the two years after the class.

"This new study is game-changing," the nonpartisan National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy said in a statement. "For the first time, there is strong evidence that an abstinence-only intervention can help very young teens delay sex and reduce their recent sexual activity as well."

Abstinence-only works The study is "quality research" and "good science," said James Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth. According to its Web site, the Washington-based organization promotes "a more positive and realistic approach to adolescent sexual health" in helping youths make informed and responsible decisions about sex and reproduction.

The federal government has invested heavily in abstinence-only education in recent years. Abstinence education funding, established in the 1996 overhaul of welfare, did not allow talk of any forms of birth control other than to explain their limitations. Critics of such abstinence-only programs said their shortcomings led to a lack of knowledge of contraception among youths who choose to be sexually active. President Obama cut funding for abstinence-only education in his 2010 budget.

The study did not impart any moral aspects to delaying the onset of intercourse, such as portraying sex in a negative light, Wagoner said. Nor did the abstinence lesson ask students to delay intercourse until marriage -- only until they are ready.

This new study is game-changing.

--National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy
Instead, the scientists said, they were interested in finding the effectiveness of various programs because adolescents who initiate intercourse at younger ages have a greater risk of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy and report more sexually risky behavior, including multiple partners.

The study looked at 662 African-American sixth- and seventh-graders recruited from four public middle schools that serve low-income communities in an unidentified city in the northeastern United States. The adolescents were recruited between September 2001 and March 2002.

The participants' average age was 12.2 years, and 53.5 percent were girls.

Although all young people are at risk of contracting the human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted infections and having unintended pregnancies, the study says the danger is greatest among African-Americans.

"In 2005," the authors said, "17 percent of adolescents in the United States were African-American but 69 percent of adolescents with HIV/AIDS were African-American. Rates of STI are the highest among African-American individuals and adolescents, particularly adolescent girls. Pregnancy rates have been higher among African-American adolescents than among their Hispanic and white counterparts."

It is unreasonable to expect any single intervention, curriculum or program to solve the teen pregnancy problem.

The study's authors -- John B. Jemmott III, Loretta S. Jemmott and Geoffrey T. Fong -- cautioned that abstinence programs are not an effective long-term solution.

"A common shortcoming of behavior-change interventions is that efficacy is demonstrated in the short term but disappears at longer-term follow-up," the report said. "This may particularly be a problem for abstinence interventions. Unlike many risk behaviors (e.g., cigarette smoking, drug use), sexual intercourse is an age-graded behavior; the expectation is that people will eventually have sexual intercourse."

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy echoed that sentiment.

"It is unreasonable to expect any single intervention, curriculum or program to solve the teen pregnancy problem," the nonprofit organization said. "True and lasting progress requires not only good programs in schools and communities, but also supportive norms and values, informed and active parents, good health services, a positive media culture and more."

Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth, said that in his opinion, the abstinence program does not go far enough toward helping youths who are sexually active make informed choices about contraception. He would like to see federal funding for programs aimed at abstinence and safe sex.

"If you've got 24 percent of your class that's sexually active, what about them?" Wagoner asked. In addition, he said, "OK, you're 12. You've abstained until 14. What about the next five years?"


http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/02/abstinence.study/index.html

 

[Garryowen]

Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth, said that in his opinion, the abstinence program does not go far enough toward helping youths who are sexually active make informed choices about contraception. He would like to see federal funding for programs aimed at abstinence and safe sex.

Abstinence is safe sex. There is no method of "safe" sex that does not involve the partners being in an exclusive permanent relationship. Promiscuity is always very risky behavior. I suspect that a lack of sexual information is not much of a problem today. The kids know a lot more than is supposed. Some of the "education" is presented in a manner that promotes the very behavior it is supposed to discourage.

We have felt that abstinence education was more effective than was popularly supposed, and this study seems to support that view. In nations in Africa, abstinence education has had a very beneficial effect in helping to slow the spread of AIDS.

regards,

Garryowen

 

[BadMedicine]

well talkign about not having sex is successful among 6 and 7th graders?

whats that like..11 and 12 year olds? uh... in most advanced societies (read, capitalism, industrialism, not many in that age group are having sex! the girsl *MAY* have reached puuty, but the boys are playing legos and GI joes... no much incentive for BARELY pubescent girls to be having sex with pre-pubescent boys...

The boys drive this behavior, and unless the girls are from broken, daddy-absent/ drug addict homes and are already users, it's unlikely for them to be shacking up with 16-18 year olds.

Fast forward to 16-18..data still stand up? When the girls have been menstrating 5 years and their bodies tell tehm (now or never and the boys are coming into their raging-hormone fueld 'screw anything that doesnt scream and kick no' including pets, gloves, socks, etc? I dont think so.

again. Not correct. 50 percent of girls will be having sex by 15 and atleast 40% of boys by 16, this crosses race/creed/ promises to the almighty.

So keeping our kids from having sex by 11 does NOT impress me. make that "abstinence" thing work through 20 for the unmarried and I'll aaaaalmost be a convinced 'abstinence works' convert.. but so long as I'm paying the bills on REPEATED GENERATIONS OF UN-SUSTAINABLE, LIBERAL REATARDS I'm advocating forced sterlization until you're a contributing, job holding memebr of society.

Free condoms with razors,
Free condoms with video games,
Free condoms with shaving cream,
Free condoms with Tampons,
Free condoms with Bad Grades
Free condoms with enrollment in Junior high
Free condoms with food stamps,
Free condoms with counceling,
Free condoms with bus passes,
Free condoms for cheer leaders,
Free condoms for sports players,
Free condoms at halloween.

I don't want THEIR kids worse than I don't want kids. Keep your goddamn seed in your gymsocks!

 

[Sligo]

My Mom always said the most effective form of birth control was the word NO.
Abstinence only edumacation sure worked for me. My kids are now 28 and 29, but they sure are wonderful.