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When the children who've been taught abstinence-only end up having sex anyway (as many of them do), and then they see symptoms that they are concerned about, sadly, they likely won't go to their parents as their first choice for help.  Teens seem to go to each other to ask about sex and STD's, and are probably spreading all sorts of false information amongst each other.   The false information could be even worse than complete ignorance, and more dangerous.  VERY sad!!!

According to studies, evangelical/Christian teens are no less likely than other peers to have sex. If anything, they're slightly more likely.  This article is from "Focus on the Family", and evangelical website: http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001562.cfm

Unfortuneately there isnt much that can be done outside the home to fix this.  Kids in school dont pay attention to the lectures and classes, not the one for dare or any other class. those classes work great in elementary but once they get to high school the kids just dont pay attention. (I've volunteered in my kid's school and seen it first hand)

The home is the best place to teach our children right from wrong, and about sexual safety. Many of these kids dont have stable homes though. I know several people who are on their third generation of welfare and another kid is just more foodstamps and more money every month. I'm really lucky that all of my kids can talk to me about sex. I've told them the facts about sex including that no birth control is 100% accurate. That sex is a responsibility they have to be ready for. That they have to take care of their own safety. For instance I've told my daughter (18and still a virgin) that when she is ready to ensure he wears a condom even if she is on the pill. I intend to tell my boys the same thing when they are a bit older.   I've taught my daughter that sex should be with someone worthy of her. (not necessarily marriage) but that she should not have sex with someone she cant see herself tied to for the rest of her life, because if she did get pregnant he would be in her life as long as they had to deal with each other about a child.   I've told her about all the std's and I've told her about the good things too. I havent scared her about sex but she needed to know that it wasnt all fun and carefree.     when my daughter decides to have sex she wont be confused about what is happening to her body. She wont be afraid to see a doctor or tell me if something is wrong.  Too many girls (and boys) only know what they see on tv, or the street or their ignorant friend tells them.  Too many kids have parents who havent a clue what they are doing and dont care.  If we could fix that, it would do more good than any school program.

Ever hear that it takes a villiage to raise a child.  Well, if parents talked openly with their kids sex and validated their kids at home AND have balanced sex ed classes then a dent may be made.

I honestly think that many times girls have sex 11-17 years of age because they want to please the boyfriend/guy (peer pressure) OR they think they are in love OR are looking for love in all the wrong places.  Amogst other reasons. 

As for STI's...all we can do is teach them the risk.  Unfortunately, many teens and adults for that matter do not think they will get one because they think their sex partner is clean.