LONDON, July 23 (UPI) -- A U.K. study has found sex education led by older peers instead of teachers has some benefit but is ineffective in reducing the incidence of unprotected sex.
The study at University College London and the U.K. Institute of Education investigated whether peer-led sex education given to 9-year-old pupils was more effective than that given by teachers to 16-year-olds.
Although fewer girls reported intercourse before the age of 16 when taught by an older peer, it did not help reduce the rate of unprotected, first intercourse by age 16.
England has the highest rate of under-18 pregnancies in western Europe, so the government is investigating ways to reduce the 90,000 cases that occur each year.
"Peer-led sex education was effective in some ways, but broader strategies are needed to improve young people's sexual health," researcher Judith Stephenson said in a statement.
She suggested the effectiveness of single-sex education classes should be investigated further.
