Prevention of mtv's teen mom 3: An effective method for teaching abstinence and sexual education to high-risk adolescents

Background: According to the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS), 50% of Kentucky high school students have ever participated in sexual intercourse, 37% report currently being sexually active, and 14% have reported having sexual intercourse with four or more sexual partners (CDC, 2007). Furthermore, 41% of sexually active students reported not using a condom the last time they had sex (CDC, 2007). The purpose of this study is to determine whether abstinence and sexual health education is more effective within a traditional sex education model or a healthy relationships model. Methods: High-risk adolescents ages 14-19 years were recruited from community organizations within the west- and south end of Louisville, Kentucky to participate in the CHAMPS! Program. The majority of adolescents reported being African-American and female (63%), with an average age of 16 years old. Adolescents were randomized into 1 of 3 conditions: Reducing the Risk (an evidence-based sexual education curriculum), Love Notes (a healthy relationships curriculum), and The Power of We (the control condition). Results: Approximately, 200 adolescents are currently enrolled in the CHAMPS! Program and anticipate over 500 adolescents completing the study by August 2012. It is our hypothesis, that there will be a significant difference between the three groups and their sexual behaviors at follow-up. Conclusions: Although teen pregnancy has been on the decline in the United States, it is imperative for social scientists to continue finding new and innovative ways to teach adolescents how to be make healthy sexual and relationship decisions.