Efforts to prevent adolescent pregnancy at both the
national and local levels have increased in recent
years, and there has been increasing evidence that
several different kinds of programs may help decrease
sexual risk taking and pregnancy among teenagers.
Recent studies have found that some sexuality-
and HIV-education programs have sustained
positive effects on behavior, and at least 1 program
that combines sexuality education and youth development
has been shown to decrease pregnancy rates
for as long as 3 years.1 Additionally, both community
learning programs and sexuality- and HIV-education
programs have been found to decrease sexual risk
taking and/or pregnancy, and short clinic-based interventions
involving educational materials coupled
with counseling also may increase contraceptive
use.