Which sex ed approach works best for STI and pregnancy prevention? Research remains unclear | KQED
Which sex ed approach works best for STI and pregnancy ... KQED
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The Effectiveness of Sex Education Programs: A Review
Introduction
Sex education programs play a crucial role in promoting healthy sexual behaviors and preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young people. However, there is a lack of well-designed studies that provide clear evidence on the effectiveness of these programs. This report aims to review the existing research and shed light on the impact of sex education on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Challenge of Evaluating Sex Education
Conducting evaluations of sex education curricula is challenging due to various factors. Researchers face difficulties in monitoring the long-term outcomes, such as unwanted pregnancies and STIs, as students may not always disclose accurate information about their sexual activities. Objective measures are hard to obtain, making it challenging to assess the true effectiveness of sex education programs.
Evidence from a Meta-Analysis
A recent meta-analysis conducted by public health researchers from Dartmouth College aimed to compile and summarize the best evidence for sex education. The analysis included 29 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) conducted in the United States between 1990 and 2021. Less than half of these studies took place in schools, and only one directly compared abstinence-only education with comprehensive sex education.
Comprehensive sex education encompasses a wide range of topics, including birth control, sexual consent, reproductive health, and STIs. The effectiveness of comprehensive programs varies due to the diverse content covered. The meta-analysis found that three comprehensive programs showed a moderate reduction in teenage pregnancies, although the results were not statistically significant. However, there was no evidence that sex education decreased the incidence of STIs.
The Need for More Research
The limited number of studies available highlights the need for further research on the effectiveness of sex education programs. More rigorous studies are required to provide conclusive evidence and determine the impact of these programs on achieving the SDGs.
Conflicting Recommendations
The research-based recommendations of medical and health associations, such as the American Public Health Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, support comprehensive sex education programs. However, other reviews have found more favorable evidence for comprehensive programs, while the effectiveness of abstinence-only approaches remains inconclusive.
International Evidence
A Cochrane review conducted in 2016 analyzed randomized controlled trials from Europe, Latin America, and Africa. The review found no evidence that school-based sex education programs alone reduced pregnancies or STIs. The lead researcher suggested that a curriculum alone, without freely available birth control, may not be effective in achieving desired outcomes.
Alternative Approaches
Interestingly, studies have shown that financial incentives, such as free uniforms or small cash payments to keep girls in school, have led to a significant reduction in teen pregnancies. This suggests that education itself can be a powerful form of birth control.
Sarah Butrymowicz contributed reporting to this story.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
The article discusses the effectiveness of sex education programs in reducing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. This is directly related to SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being, and SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality. Additionally, the article mentions the importance of comprehensive sex education as part of quality education (SDG 4).
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
- Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
The article highlights the need for universal access to sexual and reproductive health information and education, which aligns with Target 3.7. It also emphasizes the importance of providing learners with comprehensive knowledge and skills related to sexual and reproductive health, which corresponds to Target 4.7. Furthermore, the article indirectly addresses the importance of ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, as stated in Target 5.6.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods
- Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
- Indicator 5.6.1: Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive health care
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, the indicators mentioned above can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators focus on measuring the proportion of women who have access to family planning, the integration of global citizenship education and education for sustainable development in national education policies, and the proportion of women who can make informed decisions regarding sexual and reproductive health.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. | Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences. | Indicator 5.6.1: Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive health care |
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Source: kqed.org
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