Researchers in Canada reviewed 26 trials of adolescents (aged 11 to 18 years) that evaluated pregnancy prevention programs including sex education classes, abstinence programs, family planning clinics and community based programs.

The prevention strategies evaluated did not delay the initiation of sexual intercourse or improve use of birth control among adolescents. They also did not reduce pregnancy rates in young women.

A separate analysis of five trials -- four abstinence programs and one school based sex education program -- were associated with an increase in number of pregnancies among partners of young male participants.

This review shows that we do not yet have a clear solution to the problem of high pregnancy rates among adolescents in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, say the authors.

They conclude that design of future pregnancy prevention programs for young people should be guided by further research that examines:

· social determinants of unintended pregnancy among young people;

· characteristics of countries with low pregnancy rates in young people;

· characteristics of effective programs to prevent high risk behaviors in young people;

· suggestions from young people;

· strategies to promote healthy sexual relationships in adulthood

(Reference: Interventions to reduce unintended pregnancies among adolescents: systematic review of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Volume 324, pp 1426-30.)

(Editor's Note: Full text of the article is available at this URL.)

14-Jun-2002