NOTE: This study has ended. The curriculum is available through
ETR Associates. The epidemics of pregnancy and sexually
transmitted diseases (including HIV) that currently affect so
many youth must be addressed. Despite adequate knowledge about
how pregnancy and HIV transmission may occur and how to prevent
them, many youth put themselves at risk through sexual behavior.
When questioned, youth will often comment that sex “just
happened.” Interventions must take into account the cultural,
social and contextual aspects of sexual behavior. CAPS and ETR
Associates researchers developed a curriculum to assist sixth,
seventh and eighth grade students in postponing sexual activity
and using protection if they are sexually active. The curriculum
has many characteristics that are shared by successful HIV
prevention and sex education curricula: narrow focus,
theoretical foundation, high interest activities, addresses
social pressures on sexual behaviors, and provides modeling and
practice of communication and negotiati