Sexuality education and young people's sexual behavior: A review of studies

To assess the effects of HIV/AIDS and sexuality education on young people's sexual behavior, a comprehensive literature review was commissioned by the Office of Intervention Development and Support within the World 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 ofpregnancy and STDs. Seventeen reported that HIV and/or sexuality education delayed the onset of sexual activity, reduced the number of sexual partners, or reduced unplanned pregnancy and STD rates. Only three studies found increases in sexual behavior associated with sexuality education. Hence, little evidence was found to support the contention that sex and/or HIV education promote promiscuity. The interpretative value of this research often was compromised, however, because of inadequacies in study design, analytic techniques, outcome indicators, and reporting of statistics.