So called virgins have same rate of sexually transmitted diseases as non-virgins

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 10 Mar 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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American teens who have vowed to abstain from sex before marriage have the same rates of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) as sexually active teenagers. According to a new study, they are probably failing to practise what they preach.

According to a survey of 15,000 kids aged 12-18, a whopping 88% who vowed to abstain from sex before marriage (remain virgins) eventually broke their pledge during their teens. The survey was carried out nationally and included all social classes (a representative sample).

As many of these 'virgins' had not been attentive during sex education classes (or had not had them) they tend to have sex without protection more often than other kids.

The survey was funded by the NIH (National Institutes of Health).

Researchers also found that these kids were less likely to seek medical help when they did catch a STD - probably because they did not know what they had.

Dr. Peter Bearman, Lead Researcher, Columbia University, New York, USA, said the pledge movement was not aware of what was really happening sexually among adolescents. He said 'Ideological programs designed to make serious interventions in public health programs tend not to work.'

These abstainers were more likely to have unprotected sex in their first sexual encounter. Their risk of developing STD and getting pregnant was not lower than sexually active kids'.

59% of male teens who made no abstinence vows used a condom. 40% of male teens who pledged to stay virgins until marriage used a condom. The female percentage was 55% for those who made no pledge and 47% for those who did.

THE RESEARCHERS SAID THAT PLEDGING ACHIEVED THE FOLLOWING RESULTS:

-- Kids had sex later
-- Kids had fewer partners
-- Kids got married earlier

PLEDGING DID NOT ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING:

-- Fewer incidences of STDs
-- Fewer teen pregnancies