A replication study of Reducing the Risk, a theory-based sexuality curriculum for adolescents.
Reducing the Risk is a theory-based, sexuality education curriculum shown to influence the knowledge and behaviors of secondary students. This study determined whether the behavioral effects of the curriculum could be duplicated in a southern, rural state. In a quasiexperimental design, pretest and posttest inventories were administered to students in treatment and comparison groups to determine the influence of Reducing the Risk on sexual behaviors. Results of the 18-month study indicated students receiving the curriculum significantly delayed initiating sexual intercourse. Sexually active students in the treatment group were significantly more likely to protect themselves from STD/HIV and pregnancy than sexually active students in the comparison group. In addition, students receiving Reducing the Risk showed a significant increase in parent-child communication about sexual issues. These results reinforce previous research that found positive behavioral effects for students receiving the Reducing the Risk curriculum.
Hubbard
B M
BM
Dept. of Health Sciences, University of Central Arkansas, Conway 72035, USA.
Giese
M L
ML
Rainey
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001131:Arkansas; D002648:Child; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D011247:Pregnancy; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires