A study on teenage behavior reported that sex educational programs that focus exclusively on abstinence seem to have good results as well as negative results for teenager sexual behavior in spite of being sponsored with tens of millions of dollars.

The study lead by research scientist Douglas Kirby of the ETR Associates revealed that two thirds of 48 comprehensive sex education programs have had a good impact on teenagers. They delayed the initiation of sex, reduced its frequency and the number of sexual partners.

"Two-thirds of the 48 comprehensive programs that supported both abstinence and the use of condoms and contraceptives for sexually active teens had positive behavior effect," said the report.

Other good things resulted from these programs were that teenagers became aware on the risks and consequences of pregnancy, the sexual transmitted diseases after having unprotected sex and gave them greater "confidence in their ability to say 'no' to unwanted sex,” Kirby said on the report.

The negative side of these abstinence programs is that they have a little effect on the teenage sexual behavior as well because, as the report discovered, 47 percent of high school students have engaged in sex at least once and 63 percent have said that they have sex during the spring semester of their senior year.

The study released by the nonpartisan National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy on Wednesday also revealed that at least 40 out of 1,000 girls aged 15 - 19 gave birth in 2005, which is very concerning. "Many teenagers do not use contraceptives carefully and consistently," said the report.

"At present there does not exist any strong evidence that any abstinence program delays the initiation of sex, hastens the return to abstinence or reduces the number of sexual partners" among teenagers, was the conclusion of the report.