In almost all clinics, the first suggestion is to delay sex.

The divorce rate for women who delayed sex until adulthood was far lower: 15% at five years, and 27% at 10 years.

Delay sex, they say, but if you go ahead, be safe.

"But it shows social processes taking place around those pledges, and those social processes are what's helping teens delay sex."

There may be another benefit of talking to your parents besides delaying sex: stronger relationships, says Halpern-Felsher.

They are also more likely to delay sex and to report that their parents are proud of them.

With scant research on abstinence-only programs, studies conclude there is insufficient evidence that they delay teenage sex.

Interestingly, he said, analysis of that particular program showed that in addition to delaying sex, it increased condom use.

Advocates of the abstinence view point to surveys showing that parents want their children to be taught to delay sex until marriage.

She is intent on avoiding infection, and delaying sex is her - and her country's - answer.