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Characteristics of
Effective Sexuality and HIV Education Programs
The curricula of the most effective programs share characteristics. These
programs:
- Focus on reducing one or more sexual behaviors that lead to unintended
pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
- Deliver and consistently reinforce a clear message about abstaining from
sexual activity and/or using condoms or other forms of contraception.
This appears to be one of the more important characteristics distinguishing
effective
from ineffective programs.
- Provide basic, accurate information about the risks of teen sexual activity
and about ways to avoid intercourse or to use methods of protection
against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
- Include activities that address social pressures that influence sexual
behavior.
- Provide examples of and practice with communication, negotiation, and
refusal skills.
- Incorporate behavioral goals, teaching methods, and materials that are
appropriate to the age, sexual experience, and culture of the students.
- Employ teaching methods designed to involve participants and have participants
personalize the information.
- Are based on theoretical approaches that have been demonstrated to influence
other health-related behaviors and identify specific important sexual
antecedents to be targeted.
- Select teachers or peer leaders who believe in the program and then provide
them with adequate training.
- Last a sufficient length of time (i.e., more than a few hours).
Generally speaking, short-term curricula—whether abstinence-only or
sexuality education programs—do not have measurable impact on the behavior
of teens.
Source: Kirby D. Emerging Answers: Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen
Pregnancy. Washington, DC: National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy,
2001.
Do you support comprehensive sexuality education that includes information about both abstinence and contraception? Send a letter today to your Representatives and Senators urging them to become co-sponsors of the REAL Act.
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