title: Schools and sex education: does it work?
abstract: The literature was critically reviewed to determine whether evidence exists to support sex education in the schools as a method of altering sexual behavior, contraception, and adolescent pregnancy. Five studies were identified in which the effects of sex education on these outcomes were evaluated. The available evidence indicates that there is little or no effect from school-based sex education on sexual activity, contraception, or teenage pregnancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98104.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Stout
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Rivara
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced; D000293:Adolescent; D001723:Birth Rate; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011253:Pregnancy in Adolescence; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods*; D012725:Sexual Behavior