Education Now and Babies Later (ENABL): life history of a campaign to Postpone Sexual Involvement

Abstract

Education Now and Babies Later (ENABL), a statewide adolescent pregnancy prevention initiative, was inaugurated in California in June 1992. Developed by the state's Office of Family Planning, ENABL utilized a five-session intervention curriculum, Postponing Sexual Involvement (PSI), targeted at delaying the onset of sexual activity among youths aged 12-14. Schoolwide and community-based activities, along with a statewide media and public relations campaign, reinforced the intervention's message. Data collected from nearly 9,000 surveys, 75 individual interviews and 50 focus groups indicated that youths, parents and community representatives supported the initiative and endorsed its message, although most recommended changes to the curriculum. However, because no impact on sexual behavior could be demonstrated, the campaign was abruptly terminated in February 1996, despite recommendations that the program be retained and improved.

PIP: California's Office of Family Planning developed the statewide Education Now and Babies Later (ENABL) adolescent pregnancy prevention initiative. Launched in June 1992, the program used a five-session intervention curriculum, Postponing Sexual Involvement (PSI), designed to delay the onset of sexual activity among 12-14 year olds. Schoolwide and community-based activities, together with a statewide media and public relations campaign, reinforced the intervention's message, while data from almost 9000 surveys, 75 individual interviews, and 50 focus groups indicated that youths, parents, and community representatives were in favor of both the initiative and its message. Most, however, recommended changes to ENABL's curriculum. The initiative was eventually terminated in February 1996 because no impact upon sexual behavior could be demonstrated, albeit amid and despite recommendations that it instead be retained and improved.