ERIC Number: ED416962
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1997
Pages: 30
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Preventing High-Risk Sexual Behavior, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Pregnancy among Adolescents.
Sagrestano, Lynda M.; Paikoff, Roberta L.
Adolescent sexual activity and the resulting pregnancy and transmission of sexually transmitted diseases have been on the rise during the past several decades. This chapter addresses each of the three objectives regarding sexual behavior outlined in the Healthy People 2000 initiative. Background data and trends in adolescent sexual behavior are addressed for each of the three target areas: early sex, adolescent pregnancy, and contraceptive use. The chapter presents a discussion of prevention efforts aimed at reducing high-risk sexual behavior, highlighting both limitations and strengths of existing programs. The chapter also raises methodological, developmental, and contextual considerations, and describes four programs that have dealt effectively with such issues. Primary prevention efforts that are designed to reduce early initiation of sexual behavior and secondary prevention efforts that are designed to promote safer sex practices among sexually active adolescents are distinguished. Finally, the chapter presents recommendations for improving preventive interventions and thus reducing high-risk sexual behavior among America's youth, including the following: (1) prevention efforts must focus on reducing sexual risk taking through primary prevention; and (2) primary prevention is not sufficient to reduce sexual risk taking--secondary prevention efforts are also needed to ensure that sexually active adolescents are engaging in safe sexual practices. (Contains 97 references.) (SD)
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Inst. of Mental Health (DHHS), Bethesda, MD.; Grant (W.T.) Foundation, New York, NY.
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A