Survey: Contraception not taught in sex ed

CHICAGO, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- A study of Illinois teachers who teach sex education found 96 percent of them teach about HIV/AIDS, but contraception was less frequently taught.

The researchers at the University of Chicago Medical Center used data collected by NORC, a survey research firm. NORC mailed self-administered questionnaires to 335 sex education teachers from 201 public middle and high schools in 112 Illinois school districts in the 2003-04 school year.

Sixty-two percent of the teachers, representing 91 percent of schools, responded. Teachers were asked which of 17 possible topics they taught.

The study, published in the February issue of the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology, found 93 percent of Illinois Schools offered sex education; 7 percent did not.

Almost 90 percent of teachers covered abstinence, with 57 percent emphasizing it was the best alternative, 39 percent saying it was the only alternative and 4 percent describing it as one alternative.

Contraception, condom use, decision-making and communicating with a partner in addition to morally debated topics, such as abortion or sexual orientation, were among the least frequently taught. Of the 17 topics, emergency contraception was mentioned least -- taught by 30 percent of teachers.