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Abstinence |
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Family Health International (FHI) has a long history of promoting abstinence as part of a comprehensive program designed to protect the reproductive health of both young people and adults. Complete sexual abstinence is the most effective means of protection against pregnancy, HIV infection, and other sexually transmitted infections. Abstinence offers adolescents, in particular, a number of advantages because it requires no supplies or clinic visits. However, it does require strong social support from community members and the development of specific skills, including a high degree of motivation, self-control, and communication.
Various groups interpret the notion of abstinence differently. For example, most faith-based groups generally view abstinence as a commitment to refrain from sexual intimacy until marriage, while others may view abstinence as delaying sex until some future time. The term can also refer to those who have been sexually active at one time but have now decided to abstain, referred to as 'secondary abstinence or 'secondary virginity.' FHI's comprehensive abstinence program includes the ABC to Z approach — A for abstinence, B for being faithful and partner reduction, C for consistent and correct condom usage, and beyond — to other potentially effective HIV prevention interventions. Selected Materials |
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