Sex and HIV Education Programs: Their Impact on Sexual Behaviors of Young People Throughout the World
Abstract
This paper reviews 83 studies that measure the impact of curriculum-based sex and HIV education programs on sexual behavior and mediating factors among youth under 25 years anywhere in the world. Two thirds of the programs significantly improved one or more sexual behaviors. The evidence is strong that programs do not hasten or increase sexual behavior but, instead, some programs delay or decrease sexual behaviors or increase condom or contraceptive use. Effective curricula commonly incorporated 17 characteristics that describe the curricula development; the goals, objectives, and teaching strategies of the curricula themselves; and their implementation. Programs were effective across a wide variety of countries, cultures, and groups of youth. Replications of studies also indicate that programs remain effective when implemented by others in different communities, provided all the activities are implemented as intended in similar settings.
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Other studies do find some abstinence encouraging programs being effective in both developed and developing countries.
“Furthermore, other studies do find some abstinence encouraging programs being effective in both developed and developing countries [76-78].”
From Relationships, love and sexuality: what the Filipino teens think and feel (2009) · cites this paper as [77]
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- Authors
- Kirby, D. B., Laris, B. A., & Rolleri, L. A.
- Affiliations
- Education Training And Research (US)
- Corresponding author
- Kirby, Douglas B.
- ORCID
- Laris, B.A.
- Venue
- Journal of Adolescent Health
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2007-03
- Volume
- 40
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 206-217
- ISSN
- 1054-139X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2081674839
- Cited by
- 915
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 16 · 2025: 40 · 2024: 35 · 2023: 36 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 73 · 2020: 48 · 2019: 43 · 2018: 47 · 2017: 52 · 2016: 73 · 2015: 58 · 2014: 72 · 2013: 52 · 2012: 58
- FWCI
- 8.40
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Adolescent Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Adolescent Health and Behaviors
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Reproductive Health and Contraception
- Keywords
- sex education, HIV education, sexual behavior, youth, condom use, contraceptive use, program effectiveness, mediators, program replication, adolescent sexual health
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Child, Contraception Behavior, Curriculum, Female, Humans, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Male, Pregnancy, Pregnancy in Adolescence, Risk-Taking, Sexual Behavior, Sex Education, Global Health, Program Evaluation, HIV Infections, Safe Sex
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