ATHENS | Study says states wtih comprehensive sex ed classes have lower teen pregnancy rates | News

ATHENS, Ga. (WXIA) - A University of Georgia study says states that have abstinence-only sex education programs in their public schools have been found to have significantly teen pregnancy rates than states with more comprehensive programs.

The study, released this week by UGA and published online in the journal PLoS ONE, looked at teen pregnancy rates along with the influence of socioeconomic status, education level, ethnicity, access to Medicaid waivers and sex education methods in public schools.

"Our analysis adds to the overwhelming evidence indicating that abstinence-only education does not reduce teen pregnancy rates," said Kathrin Stanger-Hall, assistant professor of plant biology and biological sciences, in a release.

The study said that even with the factors cited, the correlation between sex education and teen pregnancy was very prominent. The study says states with the lowest teen pregnancy rates were those that prescribed comprehensive sex and HIV education and covered abstinence along with proper use of contraceptives.