227573 Early onset sexual activity and incidence of STD: Does the timing of sex education matter

Monday, November 8, 2010

Nicole Weller , School of Social and Family Dynamics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Recent trends in sexuality point to a growing number of adolescents initiating sexual activity at younger ages and in increasing numbers. The implications of early onset sexual activity have resulted in a higher proportion of unwanted pregnancies among adolescents and the highest rate of age-specific sexually transmitted diseases (STD). In addition to these implications, the long term effects of early onset sexual activity influence the development and management of public policy programs that are specifically designed to protect the health and well-being of young people. Designing sex education programs that are effective in reducing unwanted pregnancies and the incidence of STDs, and are effective in delaying the onset of sexual activity, are all examples of how the trends of sexuality can alter the access to information regarding healthy sexual behaviors. To fill in the gap regarding effective interventions when sexual activity is initiated at early ages, this study will test if a causal relationship exists between the timing of sex education on the onset of sexual activity and the consequential effects on the incidence of an STD. Utilizing data from Cycle 6 of the National Survey on Family Growth and through advanced statistical analysis, this study will provide a new perspective on the impact of sex education on the sexual health of young adults and adolescents.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify the association between the exposure and timing of sex education to the onset of early sexual activity and the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because my graduate training has linked me with two research centers that are geared towards advanced qualitative analytical assessment that also provide direct faculty-to-student mentor relationships that prepare students for national conference presentations.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3179.0: Student poster session