EFFECTIVENESS OF PREVENTION PROGRAMS FOR ADOLESCENT PREGNANCY - A METAANALYSIS

Using meta-analysis, we analyzed 32 outcome studies on the primary pre vention of adolescent pregnancy and examined several moderator variabl es in relationship to the findings. Three outcome variables-sexual act ivity, contraceptive use, and pregnancy rates or childbirths-were anal yzed as three separate and independent meta-analyses. Results indicate that the pregnancy prevention programs that we examined have no effec t on the sexual activity of adolescents. We found sufficient evidence to support the efficacy of pregnancy prevention programs for increasin g use of contraceptives. A smaller but significant amount of evidence supports program effectiveness in reducing pregnancy rates.