Intervention - The consequences listed above in unprotected sexual activity and teenage pregnancy supports the need to develop prevention programs and intervention in schools and community. An abundant literature suggests the use of various prevention strategies in primary and secondary, in order to delay sexual activity or increasing responsible sexual behavior such as contraceptive use. In general, intervention is more effective when it reaches teens or tweens having yet had any sexual contact.
Sex education programs - This strategy is the most widely used of the prevention programs implemented in schools. The majority of students benefit but the sex education programs vary from school to school. Overall, 94% target drive to resolve issues concerning sexuality, 77% include the teaching of concepts on reproduction and 40% emphasize abstinence.
Unfortunately, very few programs provide information on contraceptive methods and how to get them. The benefits of this type of traditional sex education show effectiveness in increasing students' knowledge about the anatomy of man and woman, contraceptive methods (when included in the protocol), the risks of pregnancy and STD. However, the results are less promising in regard to changing sexual behavior and use of effective contraceptive methods. Indeed, it seems that better knowledge does not correspond to more responsible behavior.
In addition, programs with a rigid vision of sexuality, wanting to promote abstinence until marriage, are very ineffective in reducing the time and sex. They prove particularly ineffective in reducing the risks of pregnancy and STDs. In general, improved contraceptive use is noticed only when specific information to that effect is included in the protocol and when information about AIDS, STDs and modes of transmission of these diseases are discussed. Finally, the efficacy studies on sex education are few and tend not to show any significant decline in pregnancies among the participants.
Training in problem solving and communication - The premise for the basis of this intervention strategy refers to the fact that young people with little ability to assert or low skills to solve potential problems are more at risk of unwanted pregnancies. Through role playing, group discussion and modeling, teens learn various strategies to refuse unwanted sexual advances to negotiate safely and behaviors of personal security, while acknowledging their vulnerability to the sexual activity.
The programs of effective problem solving are based on the theory of social learning, recognizing the impact of peer influence. Moreover, these programs show young people how to cope with social pressures, while asserting confidently. They emphasize the risks of unprotected sex, while reinforcing behaviors and attitudes of personal protection. Finally, they include activities to promote communication skills and decision making.
Some authors suggest that pregnancy prevention requires five distinct steps, ie, 1) the acquisition and maintenance of design information and contraceptive methods, 2) awareness of its vulnerability to sexual relations, 3) l obtaining contraceptives, 4) communication with partner about contraceptives and 5) proper use of contraceptives. An important point concerns the need for teens to plan and consider their future sexuality to be able to adopt attitudes of personal safety. Again, the effectiveness of such programs is mixed. However, some studies report benefits such as time of first intercourse, increased use of contraceptives (especially condoms) and lower relations with multiple partners or partners at risk.
Access to contraceptives - To facilitate access to contraceptives, the researchers propose to distribute condoms in schools. In the United States, 60% of adults favor this strategy, yet less than 8% of students receive. The impact of condom distribution in schools on the impact of their use and the rate of STDs is not yet known. However, impact assessment based on six schools suggest increases in the use of condoms, with a concomitant decrease in the consumption of alcohol and drugs.