An evaluation of an abstinence education curriculum series: sex can wait

To examine the effects of an abstinence education curriculum series on student outcomes.

The series was taught at upper elementary, junior high, and high school levels. A questionnaire was administered to all intervention and comparison students before and after implementation of the curriculum.

At the upper elementary level, the curriculum group had better outcomes on knowledge, self-efficacy, and a more hopeful outlook; at the middle school level no differences; at the high school level, findings favored the curriculum group on attitude, behavioral intent, and sexual behavior variables.

Results are encouraging and should be considered by those interested in helping young people postpone sexual involvement.