 |
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
|
The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Linda Wright-De Agüero, PhD MPH1, Ping Hu Johnson, MD, PhD, CHES2, Karen Taylor Valverde, MA1, Kate Curtis, PhD3, Barbara Cohen, BA4, Meredith Reynolds, PhD3, Craig W. Thomas, MA5, and Susan Scrimshaw6. (1) Division of Prevention Research and Analytic Methods, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop K-73, Atlanta, GA 30341, (770) 488-8232, lkw1@cdc.gov, (2) Health, Physical Education and Sports Science, Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, GA 30314, (3) Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy, NE, Mailstop K-34, Atlanta, GA 30341, (4) Office of Public Health and Science, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 4350 East West Highway, Suite 200 West, Bethesda, MD 20814, (5) Epidemiology Program Office / Division of Prevention Research and Analytic Methods/ Community Guide Section, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop K-73, Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, (6) School of Public Health, University of Illinois, Chicago, 2121 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60612
Background: As part of the systematic reviews conducted for the Task Force on Community Preventive Services, we examined the effectiveness of population-based sexuality education interventions in reducing unintended pregnancy and promoting abstinence/safe sex among school-aged youth.
Methods: Interventions published during 1980-2000 reporting a comparison group and health (e.g., pregnancy) and behavioral (e.g., abstinence) outcomes were retrieved. Using a standardized protocol, studies were evaluated on suitability of design and quality of execution. Studies were summarized descriptively and analyzed using weighted multiple regression controlling for program, design, and demographic factors.
Results: We identified 62 studies; 30 were excluded for limited quality of execution. No included study (n=32) reported valid measures of HIV/STDs. We found no significant overall reduction in pregnancy (relative risk (RR)=0.89, p=0.18, n=26), nor an increase in abstinence for either predominantly minority (PM) (RR=1.07, p=0.07, n=29) or predominantly white (PW) (RR=1.0, p=0.99, n=17) groups. Percent sexually active at base was significant and inversely related with abstinence RR for studies with PW (R2=-0.64); the relation was not significant for studies with PM (R2=-0.004). No significant increases in contraceptive outcomes were found.
Conclusions: Sexuality education programs do not appear to be effective in reducing pregnancy nor increasing contraceptive use. A differential impact may exist for abstinence by race/ethnicity. Given the number of included/excluded studies, similar studies are unlikely to change overall effectiveness; new strategies may yield different results.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to
Keywords: Adolescents, Sexual Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.