No change in adolescents' neglect on contraceptive use over two decades.

PURPOSE: The sexual activity and contraceptive use is evaluated over 21 years amongst Danish adolescents in ninth grade. METHODS: A repeated, cross-sectional questionnaire study in the municipality of Viborg, comparing the results of four consecutive surveys between 1986 and 2007. RESULTS: In 2007, 40% of the pupils had sexual debut at an average age of 15.3 ± 1.5 years. At sexual debut condoms were used in 77% of the adolescents and the contraceptive pill in 15%. At their latest coitus 34% used any contraceptive pill as 27% of pupils changed from use of condom to the pill. Practical experience with condoms was found in 90% of both sexes at sexual debut. Fourteen percent of the adolescents used no contraception at all at debut in 2007, which is similar to 1986, 1993, and 2000. Eighteen percent of the pupils used no contraception at all at their last intercourse in 2007 and 2000. CONCLUSION: Knowledge about and use of condoms is substantial amongst adolescents already at sexual debut. A shift is confirmed from condoms at first coitus to more frequent use of the pill later on. A considerable number of pupils (10-20%) are neither protected against sexually transmitted infections nor pregnancy at first or later intercourse.

Gender-specific knowledge on sex.

PURPOSE: A study of what sources of knowledge on sex education, reproductive physiology and abortion was sought by adolescents at school. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire study of 9th grade pupils in the municipality of Viborg, Denmark in 2007 compared with similar studies performed in 1986, 1993 and 2000. RESULTS: A total of 394 of 398 questionnaires were answered in 2007. The age of the pupils was 15.3 ± 1.5 years. In 2007, the limits for legal abortion were known by 64% of the pupils. The boys, who had had sexual debut, answered the question most correctly and the girls with no prior sexual experience the least correctly. The legal aspects of abortion in a 16-year-old girl were known by 58% of the pupils. The school was the most important source of information for the pupil without sexual debut. The adolescents who had sex indicated more use all other sources of information than those without debut. Half of the girls indicated they used magazines as a source of information, whilst only 40% of the boys mentioned pornography and magazines. The contents of girls' choice of magazines suggest that the use of written pornography as substantial source of information on sexual education. Friends/peers play a major role in sexual knowledge for both genders. CONCLUSION: In 2007, school and friends/peers still play a large role in the sexual education of the 9th grade pupils, but screen-based and magazine media whose content include substantial pornographic material share the third place.

[Knowledge of contraception and sexual matters over the last 14 years. An investigation among 9th grade pupils in the municipality of Viborg]. / Unges viden om praevention og seksualitet gennem 14 år. En undersøgelse blandt Viborg Kommunes 9.-klasser.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the investigation was to illustrate changes in the knowledge of ninth grade pupils about sexual matters over the last fourteen years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninth grade pupils in schools in the municipality of Viborg answered a questionnaire about these subjects. Identical questionnaires were given to the same age group in 1986 and 1993. RESULTS: The pupils had less knowledge of contraception than earlier. The other questions about sexuality were answered as well as or better than previously. In 1986 and 1993, boys had less knowledge than girls, but this difference was now equalised. We found no connection between knowledge and age at first coitus or sexual habits, and no connection between knowledge and the sources from which the pupils gained their information. School was, as earlier, the most important source of information, but friends came a close second. Books, mother, and doctor or health visitor were often mentioned as important sources of sexual knowledge. As earlier, the pupils were not satisfied with the sex education and as earlier, they wanted more lessons and external teachers. DISCUSSION: A good knowledge of sexual matters does not mean better sexual habits. School is the most important source of knowledge and is even more important, because the young also educate friends, who are another main source of information. According to the pupils, sex education should be improved.

[Sexual activity and contraception habits among adolescents over the last 14 years. An investigation among 9th grade pupils in the municipality of Viborg]. / Seksuel aktivitet og praeventionsvaner blandt unge gennem 14 år. En undersøgelse blandt Viborg Kommunes 9.-klasser.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the investigation was to illustrate changes in sexual activity, the use of contraceptive methods, and age at the first coitus during the last fourteen years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-one ninth grade classes in schools in the municipality of Viborg were asked to complete a questionnaire. Altogether 372 questionnaires were distributed and 344 pupils (92%) were entered in the investigation. Neither the teachers nor the pupils knew anything about the investigation before distribution. Identical questionnaires had been completed by the same age group in 1986 and 1993, which enabled us to compare the results and point out differences. RESULTS: We found no changes in age at the first coitus. One third of the pupils had had their first intercourse, 15% before the age of 15. Previously girls were sexually more active than boys, this difference was now equalised. Most (53%) of the experienced pupils had not had coitus in the preceding four weeks, but, compared with 1986, more of the pupils had been sexually active within the preceding week. As found in 1993, the use of condoms had increased, which was still unchanged. There was a continuing decline in the use of the pill at the first intercourse. However, the pupils changed the condoms for the pills as they became more experienced. Ten per cent of the pupils still did not use any contraception at the first intercourse. Occasional use of contraception was more common. In 1986, 75% used contraception at every intercourse, that proportion had fallen to 51% in the year 2000. DISCUSSION: Age at the first intercourse remained unchanged over the 14 years examined, and the change in contraceptional habits seen in 1993 had persisted, except that the proportion using contraception at every intercourse had decreased. The explanation for not using contraception was generally that the intercourse was unplanned. The girls were at a greater risk of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, as they, more often than the boys, used unsafe methods of contraception.

Sexual practice associated with knowledge in adolescents in ninth grade.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to reveal any association of sexual practice with knowledge about sex education, reproductive physiology and abortion. The study was performed in a non-intervention setting to minimize information bias. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire was handed out without prior notice to all ninth grade pupils in the Municipality of Viborg, Denmark, in 2007. RESULTS: We found that sexual debut was associated with a greater probability of knowing that chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Knowledge of chlamydia was strongly associated with knowledge about the first symptom of pregnancy. A high general level of knowledge of STI was associated with the father being the source of the knowledge among pupils who had not yet had their sexual debut (p < 0.04) and among girls (p < 0.04). The general of knowledge of STI was associated with knowing the first signs of pregnancy and the criteria for legal abortion. A high level of knowledge of STI was significantly associated with the use of contraceptives to avoid pregnancy. The vast majority of condom users (81% compared to 56% of pill users) stated protection against STI as a reason for using contraception (p < 0.006). Concern about the partner's opinion was more outspoken among condom users than among pill users (19% versus 6%, condom versus pill users, p < 0.035). CONCLUSION: Discrepancy between sexual knowledge and practice is a fact. The discrepancy, however, varies according to sexual experience, gender and whether the respondent's actual behaviour aimed at avoiding unwanted pregnancy or STI.

[Knowledge of contraception, pregnancy, and sexuality in ninth grade pupils in the municipality of Viborg during a 21-year-period]. / Viden om praevention, graviditet og seksualitet gennem 21 år hos 9. klasser i Viborg.

INTRODUCTION: A study of the sources of and the changes in the knowledge about contraception, pregnancy, and sexuality during a 21-year-period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was handed out on the same day in all ninth grade classes in the Municipality of Viborg without prior notice to teachers or pupils. The results were compared with similar studies performed in 1986, 1993, and 2000. RESULTS: In all 394 of 398 questionnaires were answered. The answers revealed that forty-three percent knew at which time in the cycle pregnancy can occur; boys with sexual debut scored lowest. The time limits for legal abortion were known by 64%, the girls had a higher level of knowledge on this item than the boys. The abortion limits for 16-year-old girls were known by 58%, but here the boys, who had made sexual debut, scored highest and the girls with no prior sexual experience scored lowest. The sources of knowledge changed over the years; screen-based media (TV, internet) now cover more than 30% of both gender's sources, and magazines/pornography comprise more than 50% of girls' and 30% of boys' sources of knowledge. The school's and friends' share in sexual education remained constant, while books and parents as knowledge sources show a downward trend. CONCLUSION: School and friends still play a substantial role in the sexual education of ninth grade pupils, but screen-based media and magazines are now the third-most important source of information and their importance have increased considerably over the past seven years. Knowledge of time limits for abortion, early pregnancy signs and cycle has not changed except for slight gender differences.

[Sexual activity and use of contraception in ninth grade pupils during the last 21 years]. / Seksuel aktivitet og praeventionsvaner hos unge gennem 21 år.

INTRODUCTION: The study surveys sexual activity, use of contraception at sexual debut and changes in sexual habits during a 21-year period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was handed out on the same day in all ninth grade classes in the Municipality of Viborg. Neither teachers nor pupils were given prior notice. The results were compared with similar studies performed in 1986, 1993 and 2000. RESULTS: A total of 394 of 398 questionnaires were answered and returned. In both genders, 40% had had debuted sexually. The frequency among the boys had increased in comparison with the previous 21 years. The amount of sexual debuts before the legal age of consent at 15 years was 18%, which is similar to previous years. In both genders an increased proportion had experienced coitus within the last week. Condoms were used by 76% and the pill by 15% at sexual debut. Subsequently, 27% shifted from condom use to pill use alone or in combination with a condom at the latest coitus; thus, 34% used the pill at their latest coitus. Practical experience with condoms was found in 90% of both genders among those who had debuted sexually, while 56% of the boys and 68% of the girls indicated that they had experience with the pill. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of and use of condoms are widespread among adolescents already at sexual debut. A shift from the use of condoms to more frequent use of the pill occurs from debut to later coitus. A considerable amount of adolescents (10-20%) still do not protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancies at debut or later coitus.

[Sex education and knowledge of venerial disease among public school 9th graders]. / Seksualundervisning og viden om kønssygdomme hos 9. klasses elever.

INTRODUCTION: A study on knowledge of venereal diseases, opinions on sexual matters, and satisfaction with sex education at school. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was handed out on the same day in all ninth grade classes in the municipality of Viborg without prior notification of teachers and pupils. RESULTS: A total of 394 of 398 questionnaires were answered and returned. Only 36% were fully satisfied with the sex education imparted at school, while 70% of the teenagers were satisfied with the quantity. Satisfaction was similar between genders, but more marked among those without sexual debut as 66% were satisfied, while just 47% of those with sexual debut thought sex education was satisfactory (p < 0.006). Knowledge of venereal disease like hiv/aids, chlamydia and herpes simplex was high (> 80% of pupils). A total of 58% of boys and 76% of girls identified chlamydia as the most common venereal disease (p < 0.0001, girls vs. boys), while 26% of the boys and 27% of the girls answered AIDS/HIV (p < 0.75). Finally, 13% of boys and 6% of girls wrote "don't know" or did not answer the question. Having had sexual debut increased knowledge of chlamydia's status as the most common venereal disease to 85% among girls (p < 0.03). Knowledge of the symptoms and risks of chlamydia is rather limited. The girls were more aware of the fact that it may cause sterility (p < 0.001, girls vs. boys) and that it occurs symptomless (p< 0.02). The respondents' guess as to how many of the girls and boys had experienced sexual debut was not associated with gender but with own sexual debut. Those with no sexual debut guessed better than the pupils with sexual debut, as 77% of boys and 81% of girls with no sexual debut guessed correctly. CONCLUSION: The sex education curriculum should be differentiated with regard to sexual debut or not in order to increase satisfaction with teaching and increase the school's contribution to improve sexual knowledge and behaviour.