Citation

Silva M, Ross I. Eval. Program Plann. 2003; 26(1): 1-9.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0149-7189(02)00080-0

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A sex education program was evaluated in a vocational high school in Santiago, Chile, that caters to a population of low income students. The goals of the program were to delay the occurrence of sexual activity, promote a positive attitude towards abstinence in adolescence, and facilitate communication on sexual topics with adults. A cohort design with no treatment partitioning was used, comparing data from a baseline sample in 1993 and a post-intervention sample in 1998. The program was implemented as a major intervention--a 1 year workshop in sexuality-geared to students in 10th grade, with a supplementary intervention in the 11th grade. There was a significant reduction in the percentage of students reporting having experienced sexual intercourse, a change in attitude towards abstinence in adolescence, and differences in communication regarding sexual topics with adults and peers among the students being recently exposed to the program. Although the program seems to be effective in delaying the initiation of sexual activity the effects appear to be short-lived.