SEXUALITY EDUCATION AND YOUNG PEOPLES SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR - A REVIEW OF STUDIES

To assess the effects of HIV/AIDS and sexuality education on young peo ple's sexual behavior a comprehensive literature review was commission ed by the Office of Intervention Development and Support within the Wo rld Health Organization's Global Programme on AIDS. Fifty-two reports were reviewed. Of 47 studies that evaluated interventions, 25 reported that HIV/AIDS and sexuality education neither increased nor decreased sexual activity and attendant rates of pregnancy and STDs. Seventeen reported that HN and/or sexuality education delayed the onset of sexua l activity, reduced the number of sexual partners, or reduced unplanne d pregnancy and STD rates. Only three studies found increases in sexua l behavior associated with sexuality education. Hence, little evidence was found to support the contention that sex and/or HN education prom ote promiscuity. The interpretative value of this research often was c ompromised, however because of inadequacies in study design, analytic techniques, outcome indicators, and reporting of statistics.