Saving Sex for Later Parenting Education

Techniques used: Randomized trial in schools; classroom surveys of youth; telephone surveys of parents; process evaluation of intervention delivery

Initiation of sexual intercourse prior to high school is prevalent among inner-city black and Hispanic youth, and has multiple negative health and social consequences. This randomized trial tested the effectiveness of Saving Sex for Later, a parent education program presented on three audio CDs developed by HHD.

About 850 families with fifth- and sixth-grade students in seven New York City schools were enrolled in the study. Parent and youth surveys were conducted at baseline and three months post-intervention.

At follow-up, parents in the intervention group were significantly more likely than controls to report more communication with children about targeted risk behaviors, greater self-efficacy to discuss pubertal development and sexuality, and more perceived influence over youth’s behaviors. Youth in the intervention condition were more likely than controls to report high family support, more family rules and fewer behavioral risks.