BMJ  2007;335:248 (4 August), doi:10.1136/bmj.39245.446586.BE (published 26 July 2007)

Research

Sexual abstinence only programmes to prevent HIV infection in high income countries: systematic review

Centre for Evidence-Based Intervention, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 2ER

Objective To assess the effects of sexual abstinence only programmes for HIV prevention among participants in high income countries.

Design Systematic review.

Data sources 30 electronic databases without linguistic or geographical restrictions to February 2007, contacts with experts, hand searching, and cross referencing.

Review methods Two reviewers independently applied inclusion criteria and extracted data, resolving disagreements by consensus and referral to a third reviewer. Randomised and quasirandomised controlled trials of abstinence only programmes in any high income country were included. Programmes aimed to prevent HIV only or both pregnancy and HIV. Trials evaluated biological outcomes (incidence of HIV, sexually transmitted infection, pregnancy) or behavioural outcomes (incidence or frequency of unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral sex; incidence or frequency of any vaginal, anal, or oral sex; number of partners; condom use; sexual initiation).

Results The search identified 13 trials enrolling about 15 940 US youths. All outcomes were self reported. Compared with various controls, no programme affected incidence of unprotected vaginal sex, number of partners, condom use, or sexual initiation. One trial observed adverse effects at short term follow-up (sexually transmitted infections, frequency of sex) and long term follow-up (sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy) compared with usual care, but findings were offset by trials with non-significant results. Another trial observed a protective effect on incidence of vaginal sex compared with usual care, but this was limited to short term follow-up and countered by trials with non-significant findings. Heterogeneity prevented meta-analysis.

Conclusion Programmes that exclusively encourage abstinence from sex do not seem to affect the risk of HIV infection in high income countries, as measured by self reported biological and behavioural outcomes.

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Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

The Evidence Speaks for Itself

Ali M. Khan
bmj.com, 16 Aug 2007 [Full text]

Sexual abstinence education. What is the evidence we need?

Jokin De Irala
bmj.com, 20 Aug 2007 [Full text]

Not the last word on abstinence education

Trevor Stammers
bmj.com, 23 Aug 2007 [Full text]

Sex education programme that teach abstenism, safe sex had very little impact on adolescence behavior & role of Microbicide in prevention of HIV in Rich countries

Professor pranab Kumar Bhattacharya MD(cal) FIcPath(ind), et al.
bmj.com, 26 Aug 2007 [Full text]

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