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School-Based HIV, STD, and Pregnancy Prevention Education:
WHAT WORKS ?
In recognition of the need for evaluated school-based programs designed to reduce sexual risk-taking behavior, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) convened a panel of 13 experts to synthesize the existing research in this area. These experts identified 17 research studies that met the following selection criteria:
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Study evaluated a school based HIV/STD or pregnancy prevention program |
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Study measured reported sexual behaviors or health outcomes (i.e. pregnancy rates, birth rates, or STD rates) |
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Study was published, or accepted for publication, in a peer-refereed journal |
The research synthesis found that no evaluated programs had harmful effects. That is none of the programs hastened the onset of first intercourse or increase the frequency of sexual intercourse. Some of the programs had positive effects--they delayed the onset of sexual intercourse and/or increased the use of condoms or other contraceptives.
What did the successful programs look like?
A content analysis of these programs revealed several important characteristics. Those who select or develop school-based programs to reduce sexual risk behaviors might use these characteristics as a basis for their decisions. The characteristics include:
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Targeting a specific risk behavior (e.g. unprotected sexual intercourse) |
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Using social learning theory |
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Personalizing risk information, making students feel more vulnerable |
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Addressing social and media influences that pressure teens into having sexual intercourse |
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Reinforcing norms against unprotected sex |
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Providing practice in communication skills to help with refusal and negotiation |
Above are curricula that have been evaluated and found to reduce sexual risk behaviors for HIV infection. The results of the evaluation must have been accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Curricula that met these conditions passed through a two stage review process: a set of evaluation experts and another set of program experts reviewed the journal reprint of the study and then considered the strength of the research findings and their generalizability to schools nationwide.
So far, three curricula have been identified through this process. The following pages briefly describe each curriculum and provide information about how to obtain the materials.
Support for this document was provided through Cooperative Agreement U87/CCU/310178-01 with the Division of Adolescent and School Health, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Reference: Kirby, D., Short, L., Collins, J., Rugg, D., Kolbe, L., Howard, M., Miller, B., Sonenstein, F. and Zabin, L.S. (1994). School-based programs to reduce sexual risk behaviors: A review of effectiveness. Public Health Reports, 103 (3), 339-360.
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