Please note: This archive was last updated in 2005.
RHO archives : Topics : Adolescent Reproductive Health
Table 1.Ten Characteristics of Effective Sex- and HIV-Education Programs
The curricula of the most effective sex and HIV education programs share ten common characteristics. These programs:
- Focus on reducing one or more sexual behaviors that lead to unintended pregnancy or HIV/STI infection.
- Are based on theoretical approaches that have been demonstrated to influence other health-related behavior and identify specific important sexual antecedents to be targeted.
- 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 most important characteristics that distinguishes effective from ineffective programs.
- Provide basic, accurate information about the risks of teen sexual activity and about ways to avoid intercourse or use methods of protection against pregnancy and STIs.
- Include activities that address social pressures that influence sexual behavior.
- Provide examples of and practice with communication, negotiation, and refusal skills.
- Employ teaching methods designed to involve participants and have them personalize the information.
- Incorporate behavioral goals, teaching methods, and materials that are appropriate to the age, sexual experience, and culture of the students.
- Last a sufficient length of time (that is, more than a few hours).
- Select teachers or peer leaders who believe in the program and then provide them with adequate training.
Generally speaking, short-term curricula—whether abstinence-only or sexuality education programs—do not have measurable impact on the behavior of teens.
From: Kirby, D. Emerging Answers: Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy. Washington, DC : National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (May 2001).
