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There has been little scientific evidence to suggest that abstinence-only-until-marriage education programs are effective in preventing or reducing teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. There is also little scientific evidence to suggest that comprehensive sex education programs are as or more effective in preventing or reducing teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease than their abstinence-only counterpart. The following study compares the teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease rates among minors in Virginia that participate in abstinence-only programs with rates among minors participating in comprehensive sex education programs. I hypothesize that counties implementing comprehensive sex education programs in schools will typically have lower pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease rates among minors than counties implementing abstinence-only education programs. I test these hypotheses with data on the 16 Virginia counties and county equivalents which could be verified as having either comprehensive or abstinence-only sex education programs in public schools during 1998-2003. The data confirm the hypotheses. On average, comprehensive program counties showed greater declines in pregnancy rates among females aged 15-17 than abstinence-only program counties. Comprehensive counties experienced declines in Chlamydia and Gonorrhea rates among males and females aged 15-17, whereas abstinence-only counties' Gonorrhea and Chlamydia rates increased. These findings underscore the need for statewide -- indeed, nationwide -- public reporting of school systems' sex education program types to permit a more thorough comparison and evaluation of program outcomes. In the meantime, these results challenge Virginia advocates of abstinence-only education programs to empirically defend their claims. / Master of Science

A three-day food intake was recorded for 100 elderly patients who were subsequently interviewed to determine the relationship of income level, educational level completed, and sex of the person with the nutrient intakes of these patients. Three-day caloric and nutrient intakes were recorded and compared to the 1974 Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA). Mean intake for a three-day period of seven nutrients showed patient averages met at least 100 percent of the RDA for all nutrients except calcium. The females had a mean intake of ninety-six percent of the RDA for calcium. The patients with the lower incomes had dietary patterns that were less adequate than the patterns for those with higher incomes, and these patients ate more carbohydrate and less protein than did the patients with higher income. Nutrient intake was increased for the patients as their level of education increased. There were no significant differences in the nutrient intakes between sexes. The males had a higher nutrient intake and had a higher percentage of protein in their diets than did the females, however, the differences were slight. It was concluded from the above results that certain beneficial changes in the study menu could be made. Especially important areas such as calcium and fat intake may need modification at some time in the future as more light is shed on these areas. / Master of Science