BMJ  2007;334:221 (3 February), doi:10.1136/bmj.39108.388345.1F

Letters

Teenage pregnancy

Education programme has changed since study

The first 100% of the full text of this article appears below.

Henderson et al studied sexual health and relationships education (SHARE) delivered between 1996 and 1999 in east Scotland.¹ They showed no statistically significant influence on conceptions or terminations by age 20 years.

In the article by Henderson et al, SHARE was delivered exclusively by school teachers,¹ but an earlier study on the same cohort highlighted the limitations of using such an approach.² Recent advice to local authorities and NHS organisations reinforces the need for a multidisciplinary approach in working to reduce teenage pregnancies.³ A review of the evidence in preparation for the second phase of the national health demonstration project, "Healthy Respect," shows that a multifaceted approach combining education, information and services has the best chance of improving sexual health outcomes.⁴ In Scotland, teachers now work alongside youth workers, school nurses, and voluntary organisations to deliver SHARE⁵ with improved access to services for young people.

¹ Public Health Department, NHS Fife, Leven, Fife KY8 5RG, ² Health Promotion Department, NHS Fife, Leven, Fife KY8 5RA

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Competing interests: None declared.

1. Henderson M, Wight D, Raab GM, Abraham C, Parkes A, Scott S, et al. Impact of a theoretically based sex education programme (SHARE) delivered by teachers on NHS registered conceptions and terminations: final results of cluster randomised trial. BMJ 2007;334:133-6. (20 January.)[Abstract/Free Full Text]
2. Wight D, Raab G, Henderson M, Abraham C, Buston K, Hart G, et al. The limits of teacher-delivered sex education: interim behavioural outcomes from a randomised trial. BMJ 2002;324:1430-3.[Abstract/Free Full Text]
3. Department for Education and Skills. Teenage pregnancy: accelerating the strategy to 2010. London: Department for Education and Skills, 2006.
4. Henderson S. Briefing paper 2. Promoting a healthy respect: what does the evidence support? Edinburgh: Health Scotland, 2006.
5. Scottish Executive . Respect and responsibility Strategy and action plan for improving sexual health.

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