E Persson1, G Jarlbro. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study the knowledge and experience of sexuality, contraception and sexually transmitted diseases among sexually active adolescents in Sweden. SUBJECTS: Youth clinic visitors. SETTING: Seventy-four youth clinics from all over the country of Sweden. METHODS: A questionnaire with 17 multiple choice and nine open questions was distributed to all visitors at participating youth clinics during a 2-month period. RESULTS: A total of 9277 young persons answered the questionnaire. Their mean age was 17.5 years. Ninety-three percent were females. Knowledge on STD and STD protection was wide-spread and good. Chlamydia and HIV was recognised as STDs by 90% and 87% respectively. More than 99% knew of the condom method as a means for STD protection. Knowledge on contraceptive methods for pregnancy protection was also good. Ninety-three percent of the investigated adolescents had had coitus. Nine percent had experienced pregnancies and 17% STDs. The mean number of life-time sexual partners was 3.2. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of good knowledge on preventive measures among Swedish youth clinic visitors their sexual behaviour carriers risks for future health. Further interventions are needed to minimise these risks.
OBJECTIVE: To study the knowledge and experience of sexuality, contraception and sexually transmitted diseases among sexually active adolescents in Sweden. SUBJECTS: Youth clinic visitors. SETTING: Seventy-four youth clinics from all over the country of Sweden. METHODS: A questionnaire with 17 multiple choice and nine open questions was distributed to all visitors at participating youth clinics during a 2-month period. RESULTS: A total of 9277 young persons answered the questionnaire. Their mean age was 17.5 years. Ninety-three percent were females. Knowledge on STD and STD protection was wide-spread and good. Chlamydia and HIV was recognised as STDs by 90% and 87% respectively. More than 99% knew of the condom method as a means for STD protection. Knowledge on contraceptive methods for pregnancy protection was also good. Ninety-three percent of the investigated adolescents had had coitus. Nine percent had experienced pregnancies and 17% STDs. The mean number of life-time sexual partners was 3.2. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of good knowledge on preventive measures among Swedish youth clinic visitors their sexual behaviour carriers risks for future health. Further interventions are needed to minimise these risks.
Entities:
Keywords:
Adolescents; Adolescents, Female; Age Factors; Attitude; Barrier Methods; Behavior; Clinic Activities; Clinic Visits; Communication; Condom; Contraception; Contraceptive Methods; Contraceptive Usage; Counseling; Data Collection; Demographic Factors; Developed Countries; Diseases; Economic Factors; Europe; Family Planning; Fertility; Fertility Measurements; Infections; Knowledge; Knowledge Sources; Northern Europe; Organization And Administration; Peer Groups; Population; Population Characteristics; Population Dynamics; Pregnancy Rate; Program Activities; Programs; Psychological Factors; Questionnaire Design; Reproductive Tract Infections; Research Methodology; Sampling Studies; Scandinavia; Service Statistics; Sex Behavior; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Socioeconomic Factors; Studies; Survey Methodology; Surveys; Sweden; Youth
Authors: A M Johnson; J Wadsworth; P Elliott; L Prior; P Wallace; S Blower; N L Webb; G I Heald; D L Miller; M W Adler Journal: AIDS Date: 1989-03 Impact factor: 4.177