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.

Updated May 2008