Sexual knowledge among Norwegian adolescents.

Sexual knowledge among Norwegian adolescents was studied. The data stemmed from a nationwide postal survey of 3000 Norwegian adolescents aged 17-19 years, yielding a response rate of 62.8%. Information on 16 sexual knowledge items was collected. The results showed considerable knowledge gaps among adolescents on sexual physiology and anatomy, sexually transmitted diseases, and fecundation/contraception. The level of sexual knowledge was higher among girls than boys, and increased with increasing age. Furthermore, sexual knowledge was positively associated with educational plans, frequency of discussing sex with friends, and experience of sexual intercourse. Sexual knowledge did not predict contraception use, when the effects of other independent variables were controlled for. The results of the study clearly demonstrate the need for further information and education efforts to increase sexual knowledge among adolescents. The potential adequacy of efforts which both activate and increase the quality of peer communication on sexual issues is addressed.