Abstinence Education Program

 The Abstinence Education Program embraces the idea that all youth are at risk of sexual activity, teen pregnancy and contracting sexually transmitted disease, but some youth are more at risk than others. This premised has guided this program to focus on those youth who appear to be at a higher risk. 

Populations Served:

Adolescents that reside in counties with highest numbers of teen births or teen birth rates. These teens may be at higher risk because they are influenced by the attitudes and behaviors of their peers to engage in early sexual activity.

Early teens (ages 13-15) who are at risk of sexual initiation. Oklahoma’s birth rate for 15-17 year olds is 29.7 versus the U.S. of 22.1. This represents 34.4% higher than the U.S. rate. Programs need to provide services earlier in order to make an impact.

Hispanic youth. In comparing U.S. and Oklahoma 15-17 year old teen birth rates by race/ethnicity, the greatest difference in rates is seen among the Hispanic group (U.S. 49.7 versus Oklahoma 76.3).

Teens/pre-teens whose parents do not talk with them about abstinence and sexual activity. Eighty-seven percent of teens said that it would be easier for them to postpone sex and avoid getting pregnant if they could discuss these issues with their parents. Even though parents can have a strong impact on the sexual decisions of their adolescents, they do not realize how influential they could be. Ninety percent of parents surveyed, thought they should talk to their children but don’t know how to start or continue the conversation.

Siblings of teen parents ----Younger sisters of pregnant teens are more accepting of adolescent childbearing and perceive younger ages as appropriate for first intercourse as compared to younger sisters of never pregnant teenagers. Younger brothers of pregnant and parenting teenagers are more accepting of non-marital childbearing, have lower self-esteem and perceive fewer problems related to early childbearing as compared to younger brothers of a non-pregnant older sister.

Foster care youth. Nationally, birth rates for girls in foster care are more than double the birth rate of a comparison group outside of the foster care system. Foster care youth see many benefits to having a baby, and face lots of pressure to have sex.

Child Guidance Service
Oklahoma State Dept. of Health
1000 NE 10th Street
Oklahoma City, Ok.  73117-1299
(405) 271-4477

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