http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6160489.stm
US sex-abstinence drive 'flawed'

A study claims the declining teenage pregnancy rate in the US is down
to better use of contraception rather than young people abstaining
from sex.

The US government has promoted abstinence as its preferred way to cut
the teenage pregnancy rate.

But the American Journal of Public Health study found it accounted for
just 14% of the drop in conceptions among 15 to 19-year-olds since
1995.

UK experts said the finding showed an abstinence-only policy did not
work.

The study was carried out by New York's Columbia University and the
Guttmacher Institute, which specialises in sex education research.

It concluded that 86% of the decrease in conceptions was due to
improved use of contraception.

Pregnancy rates for the 15 to 19-year-old age group fell in the US by
27% between 1991 and 2000.

The study found that abstinence was responsible for a slightly higher
proportion of the drop in conceptions among the 15 to 17-year-old age
group - but the figure was still only 23%.

Criticism of policy

The US government has come under fire for its policy on teenage
pregnancy, which includes funding education programmes which eschew
promotion of contraception in favour of abstinence.

Among the most high-profile critics has been film star Scarlett
Johansson, who said if President George W Bush had his way US women
would be completely uneducated about sex and have six children each.

In Britain the study was welcomed by the Independent Advisory Group on
Teenage Pregnancy, which advises the government.

Gill Frances, chairwoman of the group, said: "This confirms that we
are on the right track in this country, that providing young people
with good information, advice and contraceptive services is the way to
reduce teenage pregnancy.

"It is a myth that abstinence is a better approach and this US study
confirms it."

Anne Weyman, chief executive of the Family Planning Association, said
it was clear that the abstinence-only approach to sex and
relationships did not work.

"Robust contraception services, comprehensive sex and relationship
education and a mature attitude to young people's sexuality are the
key components in bringing down teenage pregnancy.

"If we are expecting young people to make responsible decisions about
their sexual health, they need information and support to do it.
Simply telling them not to have sex isn't enough."

However, Eric Stanley, of the US group the Liberty Counsel, said
abstinence did work.

He said: "You can't give somebody a condom and tell them it will be
100% effective - that would be giving them a false sense of security.

"We ought to be telling our teenagers to stay away from sex until they
are married - it is the only 100% effective way to avoid a pregnancy."