Original article
Consequences of Sex Education on Teen and Young Adult Sexual Behaviors and Outcomes

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2011.12.028Get rights and content

Abstract

Purpose

This study examined whether formal sex education is associated with sexual health behaviors and outcomes using recent nationally representative survey data.

Methods

Data used were from 4,691 male and female individuals aged 15–24 years from the 2006–2008 National Survey of Family Growth. Weighted bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted by gender, estimating the associations of sex education by type (only abstinence, abstinence and birth control, or neither) before first sexual intercourse, and sexual behaviors and outcomes.

Results

Receipt of sex education, regardless of type, was associated with delays in first sex for both genders, as compared with receiving no sex education. Respondents receiving instruction about abstinence and birth control were significantly more likely at first sex to use any contraception (odds ratio [OR] = 1.73, females; OR = 1.91, males) or a condom (OR = 1.69, females; OR = 1.90, males), and less likely to have an age-discrepant partner (OR = .67, females; OR = .48, males). Receipt of only abstinence education was not statistically distinguishable in most models from receipt of either both or neither topics. Among female subjects, condom use at first sex was significantly more likely among those receiving instruction in both topics as compared with only abstinence education. The associations between sex education and all longer-term outcomes were mediated by older age at first sex.

Conclusions

Sex education about abstinence and birth control was associated with healthier sexual behaviors and outcomes as compared with no instruction. The protective influence of sex education is not limited to if or when to have sex, but extends to issues of contraception, partner selection, and reproductive health outcomes.

Section snippets

Data

The data analyzed were from the 2006–2008 NSFG, a nationally representative household survey of U.S. male and female persons aged 15–44 years. The survey used a multistage, stratified, clustered sampling frame to collect interviews continuously from June 2006 to December 2008. Detailed survey methodology has been described elsewhere [14]. Information about the receipt of formal reproductive health education was collected in face-to-face interviews from respondents aged 15–24 years. An audio,

Bivariate

Two-thirds of sexually experienced females and 55% of sexually experienced male respondents received Ab + BC before first vaginal sex (Table 1). Approximately one in five respondents reported receiving only abstinence education before first sex. Sixteen percent of sexually experienced female and 24% of sexually experienced male respondents reported not receiving instruction in either topic before first sex. Receipt of sex education varied significantly by most of the covariates examined, with

Discussion

In this study, receipt of formal sex education before first sex, particularly that including instruction about both delaying sex and birth control methods, was associated with a range of healthier outcomes among adolescents and young adults as compared with not receiving instruction in either topic. Receipt of Ab + BC was associated with delayed onset of first sex, greater use of contraception or condoms at first sex, and healthier partnerships at first sex. Associations between Ab + BC and

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Lawrence Finer for technical assistance and reviewing several drafts of the article. The research on which this article is based was supported by The California Wellness Foundation. The conclusions and opinions expressed here are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the funder.

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