An evaluation of an abstinence education curriculum series: sex can wait.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of an abstinence education curriculum series on student outcomes.


METHODS
The series was taught at upper elementary, junior high, and high school levels. A questionnaire was administered to all intervention and comparison students before and after implementation of the curriculum.


RESULTS
At the upper elementary level, the curriculum group had better outcomes on knowledge, self-efficacy, and a more hopeful outlook; at the middle school level no differences; at the high school level, findings favored the curriculum group on attitude, behavioral intent, and sexual behavior variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Results are encouraging and should be considered by those interested in helping young people postpone sexual involvement.
Health Education Projects Office/Program in Health Science, University Health Center, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville 72701, USA.
George
G
Denny
Michael
M
Young
Susan
S
Rausch
Caile
C
Spear
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior; D003075:Coitus; D035061:Control Groups; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012572:School Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D012746:Sexual Abstinence; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States