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

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.