Sex knowledge among young people
Wermuth, L.; Jeune, B.; Wielandt, H.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 149(16): 1083-1085
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 3576837 Document Number: 358196
During the period April 1984-February 1985, a representative sample of persons aged 16-20 years participated in an interview investigation about sexual information and employment of contraceptives. In all, 281 girls (percentage replies 75.3) and 336 boys (percentage replies 79.6) replied to the questions. Pratically all (95.8%) had received sexual education in school and the majority (82%) had also been taught about contraception. Half of the young people were dissatisfied with teaching received. Parents (mothers) appeared to play an important role as sources of information for the girls while significantly more boys had received information about coitus via friends. Only 30% of the boys knew about the time of conception while 60% of the girls were aware of this. Among the young people who had coitus (208 girls = 73% and 230 boys = 69%), significantly more considered the school teaching to be poor. After the commencement of sexual activity, significantly more of the girls appeared to have adequate knowledge about contraception and significantly more of the boys had talked to their parents about coitus. No differences were found in the questions posed as regards employment of contraception at the first coitus. The results indicate that teenagers obtain their knowledge about sex by personal experience and, in the light of this knowledge, sexual teaching in school appears to be poor.