Elaine A. Borawski, PhD¹, Erika S. Trapl, BA¹, Loren D. Lovegreen, MA¹, Tonya Block, MA², and Natalie Colabianchi, PhD¹. (1) Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Case Western Reserve University, Center for Health Promotion Research, 11430 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106, 216-368-1617, exb11@cwru.edu, (2) Division of Community Health, Cuyahoga County Board of Helath, 5550 Venture Dr., Cleveland, OH 44130

Objective: We examined the impact of an abstinence-until-marriage (AUM) curriculum on sex-related knowledge, beliefs, efficacy, intentions and behavior (activity, partners, frequency, condom use) among 2,069 middle school students (mean age=12.8 years). Methods: Classrooms were assigned to receive the AUM intervention (n=1096) or serve as controls (n=973), receiving the curriculum after the evaluation. A pre-test and post-test were completed 5 months post-intervention. Results: Multivariate analyses revealed that students exposed to the intervention demonstrated a significant increase in knowledge (p<.001) and abstinence beliefs (p<.001) and a significant decrease in both the intention to have sex (p<.05) and to use a condom in the future (p<.01), when compared to control students. No effects were observed with regard to sexual initiation; however, sexually experienced students receiving the intervention reported fewer episodes of sex (p<.05) and fewer sexual partners (p<.01) than their sexually experienced peers who did not receive the intervention. Moreover, sexually experienced students who reported an increase in their AUM beliefs were significantly less likely (p<.01) to have sex during the evaluation period than those who did not. Conclusions: The AUM curriculum was found to have a short-term impact on knowledge, beliefs and intentions. While the program did not impact sexual initiation, it had a significant, unexpected effect on students already sexually experienced, with a reduction in multiple partners and frequency of sex, and for some, an increase in renewed virginity. However, the reduction in condom intention merits further study to determine whether students who initiate later are less likely to use protection.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the criteria for federally-funded abstinence-until-marriage curricula
• Describe a useful theoretical framework for evaluating an abstinence-until-marriage program.
• Discuss the design and results of a rigorous evaluation of a school-based abstinence curricula.

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Teen Pregnancy Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Operation Keepsake (agency who developed the curriculum that was evaluated).
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.