WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 (UPI) -- Sex education programs emphasizing abstinence "may have an important role in preventing adolescent sexual involvement," U.S. researchers have found.
In a study published in Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine, the leader of the federally funded study, University of Pennsylvania Professor John B. Jemmott III and co-author Loretta S. Jemmott reported a greater incidence of delayed sexual activity among sixth- and seventh-graders participating in classes that encouraged abstinence before marriage, compared with students attending other classes. About one-third of those in an abstinence-focused class became sexually active within two years, while almost half of those attending other classes, some of which blended information on abstinence and contraception, started having sex within two years.
"Theory-based abstinence-only interventions may have an important role in preventing adolescent sexual involvement," the report concluded.
John B. Jemmott told The Washington Post the study shows abstinence-only "could be one approach that could be used" in sex-education.
Advocates and opponents of abstinence-only sex education disagreed on the meaning of the study, the newspaper said Monday.
Sarah Brown, chief executive officer of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy said the study "is game-changing."
"For the first time, there is strong evidence that an abstinence-only intervention can help very young teens delay sex," she said.
James Wagoner, president of Advocates for Youth, said the study includes no data "to support the 'abstain until marriage' programs, which research proved ineffective during the Bush administration."
