[Age of menarche. Secondary sex characteristics. Interrelation. Secular trend]. / Edad de menarca. Caracteres sexuales secundarios. Interrelacion. Tendencia secular.

Our purpose was to determine the mean age of menarche in young females of our population. To relate menarche with maturation stages of secondary sex character. To observe if the secular trend persist after the first observation. Consistently two temporal observations spaciated for 10 years were performed. Two hundred and eighty three healthy women who belonged to a higher middle-level and attending a high school from Cordoba National University were studied. Such women were in an age range between 11.0 to 18.0 years. Anthropometric and biological maturation examination were undertaken (Tanner). The mean age of onset of secondary sex characters was determined in a longitudinal follow-up group (54 girls). The mean age of menarche in the overall sample was determined by the retrospective method and in the subsample of 54 girls longitudinally followed in the 70-80 decade was determined by the prospective method in which the menarche was correlated with stages of mamary development (B) an pubic hair (PH). The mean age of menarche in 146 young females with a follow-up from 1.981 through 1.990 was determined. In the overall sample the mean of age of menarche was of 12.59 years +/- 1.17; in the subsample (54 girls) of 12.75 years +/- 1.03. In this subsample 70.37% of them has the menses in the B3 stage, 22.22% in B4, 5,5% in B2 and 1.85% in B5. 74.07% PH3, 18.51% in PH4, 0.52% in PH2 and none in PH5. In the sample of 146 young females with a follow-up between 1981 and 1990 the mean age of menarche was 12.36 years. If this result is compared with that of the 54 girls longitudinally followed in the prior decade and with the overall sample, a difference of 0.39 years and 0.23 years respectively is proved. This difference favoring an earlier age of menarche would show: 1 degree) That in our environment the secular trend is maintained, the age advances 4 months every 10 years and 2 degree) That the longitudinal prospective method is more reliable than the retrospective one.

[Anthropometric evolution of height, weight and total body water pre and post menarche]. / Evolucion antropometrica de la talla, peso y agua total corporal pre- y post-menarca.

The aim of the survey was to assess the anthropometric evolution of height, weight and total body water 1 year prior and until 1 year after the menarche in a higher middle level scholar adolescents group from a double-time secondary school belonging to Cordoba National University. A longitudinal study of 48 adolescents was performed. The control was made every six months and at the time of menarche, Twuenty anthropometric variables were relieved from which height and weight were used, the total body water (TBW) was determined by Mellits and Cheek equation and biological maturation was assessed according to Tanner criteria. Height and weight, and total body water increase pre- and post-menarche was determined, with +/- 1SD, as well as the average of studied variables +/- 1 SD. Height and weight increase was of 7.813 cm (+/-1.61) and 7.488 Kg(+/-2.3) respectively 12 months prior menarche, with a major speed in the first semester. After menarche, in the following months, height as much as weight increase, more the former than the latter, but there is less increase than in the year previously to menarche. The increase in the 12 posterior months has an average of 3.48 cm(+/-1.18) for height and 2,524 Kg(+/-1.90) for weight, with a major speed in the first semester. Likewise, the total body water decrease as an index of the body fat and is inversely correlated with the increase of weight in fat. We conclude that these results are perfectly correlated with the studied biological phenomenon, according to patterns described by other authors in other countries with different racial features. The onset of menarche is a good parameter to predict, rather approximately, without using another estimates, the final height in a girl.

[Body composition at menarche. Estimation of total body weight, total body water, lean and fat body weight]. / Composicion corporal a la menarca. Estimacion del peso corporal total, del agua corporal total, del peso corporal magro y graso.

Our aim was to confirm in our environment what has been observed and described by other writers about the importance of achieving a "critical body weight'' and an adequate "fat percentage'' -on the basis of the calculation of total body water- for the initiation and development of pubertal events. This study included 92 girls, healthy, well nourished, belonging to upper middle class from a high school of The National University of Cordoba. The longitudinal method of control was used every 6 months and at the precise moment of menarche. Out of 20 antropometrical variables observed height, weight and height, TBW as percentage of body weight, lean body and fat weight, fat percentage and skin folds ppercentiles for each girl at menarche. A regression between fat percentage and skin folds was done. Percentiles 5 to 95 of fat percentage in relation to body water percentage were estimated. At menarche the average for the different variables are: Heigth 155.6 cm +/- 0.469; Weight 45.8 Kg +/- 0,5; TBW 25.216 lit. +/- 0.318; lean body weigth 35.02 Kg (S.D.2.98); fat weigth 10.86 Kg (S. D. 3.17). The addition of skin folds was correlated fat percentage, thus, an equation was obtained for the average calculation of such percentage %F= 12.16 + (0.313 x fold addition). The minium percentage for the onset of menstrual cycles is 17.3% and corresponds to percentile 10. However, there is a 5% of girls who start to menstruate with a 15.5% of fat and none of them is below that value. The reasons mentioned above suggest that is necessary to obtain a "critical body weigth'' as well as a "fat percentage'' minimum for the onset and maintenance of menstrual cycles, among our girls, similar o what has been obtained by doctor Frisch.

[Sexual behavior in adolescents and young subjects]. / Conducta sexual en adolescentes y jovenes.

The purpose of this paper was to obtain information about sexual behavior of university students. To achieve this goal we implemented a survey which was answered anonymously by 438 students, 123 women and 315 men. They were divided into three age groups. Between women, sexual activity grew with age, but between men, on the contrary, the highest percentage was verified in the youngest age group. The age at which sexual activity was started decreased in one year each four years of age and is two years ahead in boys. Reasons stated for this decision by women were based on values and love, while pleasure and opportunity were appointed by men. Both men and women of all ages showed a high number of sexual partners. Sexual transmitted diseases were acknowledged by a high number of students. This results clearly show the necessity of an educational programme including sexual advisory and sexual transmitted diseases prevention in all health care actions designed for university students.

[Pubertal development in males]. / Desarrollo puberal en varones.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the male puberal development in our population. Two hundred and ninety seven health males belonging to a higher middle social economic level who attended a secondary School for Cordoba National University were studied. Such males are encompassed in an age range between 11.0 and 18.0 years. Clinical, anthropometric and biological maturation examination were undertaken according Tanner criteria. The mean age of onset in secondary sex character with their corresponding SD (s), E.E.x. and C.V., the correlation between them by Pearson's correlation coefficient ¿¿r'' and the duration of the complete puberal process were determined. The first sign of male puberal development is the testicular enlargement, appearing G2 at a mean age of, 12,43 years (SD 0,7475), G3 12,74 years (SD0,8873) G4 13,75 years (SD0,9488), and G5 15,28 years (SD 1,0834). The public hair appears at a mean age of PH2 12,66 years, PH3 13,31 years PH4 14,55 years, and PH5 15,38 years. At 17,5 years 100% of the males have reached their complete development. The existing correlation between variables, comparing genital development with pubic hair and viceversa, pubic hair with genital development was of 0,92 and 0,91 respectively. The complete puberal process in males encompass from 2 years 2 months to 3 years 6 months, mean of 2 years 11 months. The male genital development (G2) beging 8 months after the girls started their mammary development (B2) and the male pubic hair (PH2) appears one year later than in the girls.

[Adolescents and young subjects facing contraception, pregnancy and abortion]. / Los adolescentes y los jovenes frente a la anticoncepcion, el embarazo y el aborto.

The objective aimed was to obtain information about the sexual behavior of adolescents and youths attending university as regards contraception, pregnancy and abortion and the knowledge of the Papanicolau test as a preventive, method for malignant diseases. An anonymous survey which was especially designed for this investigation was implemented with 438 students - 123 women and 315 men - divided into three groups according to age; between 17 - 20, 21 - 24 and more than 25 years-old. Taking into account the sexually active population. 70% of the men between 17-20 use contraceptive methods (condoms 98,6%) and so do 100% of the women of the same age (menstrual cycle control method 71,4%, contraceptive pills 14,2%, or her partner uses condom 21,4%). In the group of youths between 21-24 years old, 76,8% of the men and 82,7% of the women use contraceptive methods: 70% of the men use condoms and 30% contraceptive methods used by their patner, whereas 58,3% of the women use the menstrual cycle control method, 25% take pills and 8,3% use DIU. In the group of older youths 71,4% of the men use contraception methods (66,6% condoms) and 51,14% of the women (100% the menstrual cycle control method) and 25% add other methods to this one. Only 20,68% of the women stated having had pregnancies (all of the between 21 - 24). As there is the same porcentage of abortion in this age groups, it can be presumed that all the pregnancies ended in abortion. This contradicts the position stated regarding abortion due to the fact that 66% of the population questioned in the survey was against abortion and defended the right to live, whereas 23% was for abortion mainly in the case of rapes and/or maternal diseases. A small porcentage was for abortion in the case of pregnancies which may disturb their life projects. As regards the Papanicolau test, all the groups have a good knowledge about it, but only women over 25 years old practice it responsably.

[Primary prevention actions in AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases in adolescents]. / Acciones de prevencion primaria en sida y enfermedades de transmision sexual en adolescentes.

Considering primary prevention of ETS a priority in Adolescent Health care, we decided to investigate knowledge and attitudes of 205 students in relation to these pathologies. Results were used to organize an educational proposal based on groupal training of ¿¿Youth Health Promotors''. It is also shown the necessity of joint work between family and school in order to think and revise together with the young people involved, themes and values, in order to make a coherent, creative and holistic approach to human sexuality.

Acciones de prevencion primaria en sida y enfermedades de transmision sexual en adolescentes / [Primary prevention actions in AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases in adolescents]

Considering primary prevention of ETS a priority in Adolescent Health care, we decided to investigate knowledge and attitudes of 205 students in relation to these pathologies. Results were used to organize an educational proposal based on groupal training of Youth Health Promotors’’. It is also shown the necessity of joint work between family and school in order to think and revise together with the young people involved, themes and values, in order to make a coherent, creative and holistic approach to human sexuality.

Los adolescentes y los jovenes frente a la anticoncepcion, el embarazo y el aborto / [Adolescents and young subjects facing contraception, pregnancy and abortion]

The objective aimed was to obtain information about the sexual behavior of adolescents and youths attending university as regards contraception, pregnancy and abortion and the knowledge of the Papanicolau test as a preventive, method for malignant diseases. An anonymous survey which was especially designed for this investigation was implemented with 438 students - 123 women and 315 men - divided into three groups according to age; between 17 - 20, 21 - 24 and more than 25 years-old. Taking into account the sexually active population. 70

of the men between 17-20 use contraceptive methods (condoms 98,6

of the women of the same age (menstrual cycle control method 71,4

, or her partner uses condom 21,4

). In the group of youths between 21-24 years old, 76,8

of the men and 82,7

of the women use contraceptive methods: 70

of the men use condoms and 30

contraceptive methods used by their patner, whereas 58,3

of the women use the menstrual cycle control method, 25

take pills and 8,3

use DIU. In the group of older youths 71,4

of the men use contraception methods (66,6

condoms) and 51,14

of the women (100

the menstrual cycle control method) and 25

add other methods to this one. Only 20,68

of the population questioned in the survey was against abortion and defended the right to live, whereas 23

) and so do 100

of the women stated having had pregnancies (all of the between 21 - 24). As there is the same porcentage of abortion in this age groups, it can be presumed that all the pregnancies ended in abortion. This contradicts the position stated regarding abortion due to the fact that 66

was for abortion mainly in the case of rapes and/or maternal diseases. A small porcentage was for abortion in the case of pregnancies which may disturb their life projects. As regards the Papanicolau test, all the groups have a good knowledge about it, but only women over 25 years old practice it responsably.

Conducta sexual en adolescentes y jovenes / [Sexual behavior in adolescents and young subjects]

The purpose of this paper was to obtain information about sexual behavior of university students. To achieve this goal we implemented a survey which was answered anonymously by 438 students, 123 women and 315 men. They were divided into three age groups. Between women, sexual activity grew with age, but between men, on the contrary, the highest percentage was verified in the youngest age group. The age at which sexual activity was started decreased in one year each four years of age and is two years ahead in boys. Reasons stated for this decision by women were based on values and love, while pleasure and opportunity were appointed by men. Both men and women of all ages showed a high number of sexual partners. Sexual transmitted diseases were acknowledged by a high number of students. This results clearly show the necessity of an educational programme including sexual advisory and sexual transmitted diseases prevention in all health care actions designed for university students.

Desarrollo puberal en varones / [Pubertal development in males]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the male puberal development in our population. Two hundred and ninety seven health males belonging to a higher middle social economic level who attended a secondary School for Cordoba National University were studied. Such males are encompassed in an age range between 11.0 and 18.0 years. Clinical, anthropometric and biological maturation examination were undertaken according Tanner criteria. The mean age of onset in secondary sex character with their corresponding SD (s), E.E.x. and C.V., the correlation between them by Pearson’s correlation coefficient r’’ and the duration of the complete puberal process were determined. The first sign of male puberal development is the testicular enlargement, appearing G2 at a mean age of, 12,43 years (SD 0,7475), G3 12,74 years (SD0,8873) G4 13,75 years (SD0,9488), and G5 15,28 years (SD 1,0834). The public hair appears at a mean age of PH2 12,66 years, PH3 13,31 years PH4 14,55 years, and PH5 15,38 years. At 17,5 years 100

of the males have reached their complete development. The existing correlation between variables, comparing genital development with pubic hair and viceversa, pubic hair with genital development was of 0,92 and 0,91 respectively. The complete puberal process in males encompass from 2 years 2 months to 3 years 6 months, mean of 2 years 11 months. The male genital development (G2) beging 8 months after the girls started their mammary development (B2) and the male pubic hair (PH2) appears one year later than in the girls.

Composicion corporal a la menarca. Estimacion del peso corporal total, del agua corporal total, del peso corporal magro y graso / [Body composition at menarche. Estimation of total body weight, total body water, lean and fat body weight]

Our aim was to confirm in our environment what has been observed and described by other writers about the importance of achieving a [quot ]critical body weight’’ and an adequate [quot ]fat percentage’’ -on the basis of the calculation of total body water- for the initiation and development of pubertal events. This study included 92 girls, healthy, well nourished, belonging to upper middle class from a high school of The National University of Cordoba. The longitudinal method of control was used every 6 months and at the precise moment of menarche. Out of 20 antropometrical variables observed height, weight and height, TBW as percentage of body weight, lean body and fat weight, fat percentage and skin folds ppercentiles for each girl at menarche. A regression between fat percentage and skin folds was done. Percentiles 5 to 95 of fat percentage in relation to body water percentage were estimated. At menarche the average for the different variables are: Heigth 155.6 cm +/- 0.469; Weight 45.8 Kg +/- 0,5; TBW 25.216 lit. +/- 0.318; lean body weigth 35.02 Kg (S.D.2.98); fat weigth 10.86 Kg (S. D. 3.17). The addition of skin folds was correlated fat percentage, thus, an equation was obtained for the average calculation of such percentage

F= 12.16 + (0.313 x fold addition). The minium percentage for the onset of menstrual cycles is 17.3

and corresponds to percentile 10. However, there is a 5

of girls who start to menstruate with a 15.5

of fat and none of them is below that value. The reasons mentioned above suggest that is necessary to obtain a [quot ]critical body weigth’’ as well as a [quot ]fat percentage’’ minimum for the onset and maintenance of menstrual cycles, among our girls, similar o what has been obtained by doctor Frisch.

Evolucion antropometrica de la talla, peso y agua total corporal pre- y post-menarca / [Anthropometric evolution of height, weight and total body water pre and post menarche]

The aim of the survey was to assess the anthropometric evolution of height, weight and total body water 1 year prior and until 1 year after the menarche in a higher middle level scholar adolescents group from a double-time secondary school belonging to Cordoba National University. A longitudinal study of 48 adolescents was performed. The control was made every six months and at the time of menarche, Twuenty anthropometric variables were relieved from which height and weight were used, the total body water (TBW) was determined by Mellits and Cheek equation and biological maturation was assessed according to Tanner criteria. Height and weight, and total body water increase pre- and post-menarche was determined, with +/- 1SD, as well as the average of studied variables +/- 1 SD. Height and weight increase was of 7.813 cm (+/-1.61) and 7.488 Kg(+/-2.3) respectively 12 months prior menarche, with a major speed in the first semester. After menarche, in the following months, height as much as weight increase, more the former than the latter, but there is less increase than in the year previously to menarche. The increase in the 12 posterior months has an average of 3.48 cm(+/-1.18) for height and 2,524 Kg(+/-1.90) for weight, with a major speed in the first semester. Likewise, the total body water decrease as an index of the body fat and is inversely correlated with the increase of weight in fat. We conclude that these results are perfectly correlated with the studied biological phenomenon, according to patterns described by other authors in other countries with different racial features. The onset of menarche is a good parameter to predict, rather approximately, without using another estimates, the final height in a girl.

Edad de menarca. Caracteres sexuales secundarios. Interrelacion. Tendencia secular / [Age of menarche. Secondary sex characteristics. Interrelation. Secular trend]

Our purpose was to determine the mean age of menarche in young females of our population. To relate menarche with maturation stages of secondary sex character. To observe if the secular trend persist after the first observation. Consistently two temporal observations spaciated for 10 years were performed. Two hundred and eighty three healthy women who belonged to a higher middle-level and attending a high school from Cordoba National University were studied. Such women were in an age range between 11.0 to 18.0 years. Anthropometric and biological maturation examination were undertaken (Tanner). The mean age of onset of secondary sex characters was determined in a longitudinal follow-up group (54 girls). The mean age of menarche in the overall sample was determined by the retrospective method and in the subsample of 54 girls longitudinally followed in the 70-80 decade was determined by the prospective method in which the menarche was correlated with stages of mamary development (B) an pubic hair (PH). The mean age of menarche in 146 young females with a follow-up from 1.981 through 1.990 was determined. In the overall sample the mean of age of menarche was of 12.59 years +/- 1.17; in the subsample (54 girls) of 12.75 years +/- 1.03. In this subsample 70.37

of them has the menses in the B3 stage, 22.22

in B2 and 1.85

in PH2 and none in PH5. In the sample of 146 young females with a follow-up between 1981 and 1990 the mean age of menarche was 12.36 years. If this result is compared with that of the 54 girls longitudinally followed in the prior decade and with the overall sample, a difference of 0.39 years and 0.23 years respectively is proved. This difference favoring an earlier age of menarche would show: 1 degree) That in our environment the secular trend is maintained, the age advances 4 months every 10 years and 2 degree) That the longitudinal prospective method is more reliable than the retrospective one.

Edad de menarca. Caracteres sexuales secundarios. Interrelacion. Tendencia secular. / [Age of menarche. Secondary sex characteristics. Interrelation. Secular trend]

Our purpose was to determine the mean age of menarche in young females of our population. To relate menarche with maturation stages of secondary sex character. To observe if the secular trend persist after the first observation. Consistently two temporal observations spaciated for 10 years were performed. Two hundred and eighty three healthy women who belonged to a higher middle-level and attending a high school from Cordoba National University were studied. Such women were in an age range between 11.0 to 18.0 years. Anthropometric and biological maturation examination were undertaken (Tanner). The mean age of onset of secondary sex characters was determined in a longitudinal follow-up group (54 girls). The mean age of menarche in the overall sample was determined by the retrospective method and in the subsample of 54 girls longitudinally followed in the 70-80 decade was determined by the prospective method in which the menarche was correlated with stages of mamary development (B) an pubic hair (PH). The mean age of menarche in 146 young females with a follow-up from 1.981 through 1.990 was determined. In the overall sample the mean of age of menarche was of 12.59 years +/- 1.17; in the subsample (54 girls) of 12.75 years +/- 1.03. In this subsample 70.37

of them has the menses in the B3 stage, 22.22

in B4, 5,5

in B2 and 1.85

in B5. 74.07

PH3, 18.51

in PH4, 0.52

in PH2 and none in PH5. In the sample of 146 young females with a follow-up between 1981 and 1990 the mean age of menarche was 12.36 years. If this result is compared with that of the 54 girls longitudinally followed in the prior decade and with the overall sample, a difference of 0.39 years and 0.23 years respectively is proved. This difference favoring an earlier age of menarche would show: 1 degree) That in our environment the secular trend is maintained, the age advances 4 months every 10 years and 2 degree) That the longitudinal prospective method is more reliable than the retrospective one.

Evolucion antropometrica de la talla, peso y agua total corporal pre- y post-menarca. / [Anthropometric evolution of height, weight and total body water pre and post menarche]

The aim of the survey was to assess the anthropometric evolution of height, weight and total body water 1 year prior and until 1 year after the menarche in a higher middle level scholar adolescents group from a double-time secondary school belonging to Cordoba National University. A longitudinal study of 48 adolescents was performed. The control was made every six months and at the time of menarche, Twuenty anthropometric variables were relieved from which height and weight were used, the total body water (TBW) was determined by Mellits and Cheek equation and biological maturation was assessed according to Tanner criteria. Height and weight, and total body water increase pre- and post-menarche was determined, with +/- 1SD, as well as the average of studied variables +/- 1 SD. Height and weight increase was of 7.813 cm (+/-1.61) and 7.488 Kg(+/-2.3) respectively 12 months prior menarche, with a major speed in the first semester. After menarche, in the following months, height as much as weight increase, more the former than the latter, but there is less increase than in the year previously to menarche. The increase in the 12 posterior months has an average of 3.48 cm(+/-1.18) for height and 2,524 Kg(+/-1.90) for weight, with a major speed in the first semester. Likewise, the total body water decrease as an index of the body fat and is inversely correlated with the increase of weight in fat. We conclude that these results are perfectly correlated with the studied biological phenomenon, according to patterns described by other authors in other countries with different racial features. The onset of menarche is a good parameter to predict, rather approximately, without using another estimates, the final height in a girl.

Composicion corporal a la menarca. Estimacion del peso corporal total, del agua corporal total, del peso corporal magro y graso. / [Body composition at menarche. Estimation of total body weight, total body water, lean and fat body weight]

Our aim was to confirm in our environment what has been observed and described by other writers about the importance of achieving a [quot ]critical body weight and an adequate [quot ]fat percentage -on the basis of the calculation of total body water- for the initiation and development of pubertal events. This study included 92 girls, healthy, well nourished, belonging to upper middle class from a high school of The National University of Cordoba. The longitudinal method of control was used every 6 months and at the precise moment of menarche. Out of 20 antropometrical variables observed height, weight and height, TBW as percentage of body weight, lean body and fat weight, fat percentage and skin folds ppercentiles for each girl at menarche. A regression between fat percentage and skin folds was done. Percentiles 5 to 95 of fat percentage in relation to body water percentage were estimated. At menarche the average for the different variables are: Heigth 155.6 cm +/- 0.469; Weight 45.8 Kg +/- 0,5; TBW 25.216 lit. +/- 0.318; lean body weigth 35.02 Kg (S.D.2.98); fat weigth 10.86 Kg (S. D. 3.17). The addition of skin folds was correlated fat percentage, thus, an equation was obtained for the average calculation of such percentage

F= 12.16 + (0.313 x fold addition). The minium percentage for the onset of menstrual cycles is 17.3

and corresponds to percentile 10. However, there is a 5

of girls who start to menstruate with a 15.5

of fat and none of them is below that value. The reasons mentioned above suggest that is necessary to obtain a [quot ]critical body weigth as well as a [quot ]fat percentage minimum for the onset and maintenance of menstrual cycles, among our girls, similar o what has been obtained by doctor Frisch.

Desarrollo puberal en varones. / [Pubertal development in males]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the male puberal development in our population. Two hundred and ninety seven health males belonging to a higher middle social economic level who attended a secondary School for Cordoba National University were studied. Such males are encompassed in an age range between 11.0 and 18.0 years. Clinical, anthropometric and biological maturation examination were undertaken according Tanner criteria. The mean age of onset in secondary sex character with their corresponding SD (s), E.E.x. and C.V., the correlation between them by Pearsons correlation coefficient r and the duration of the complete puberal process were determined. The first sign of male puberal development is the testicular enlargement, appearing G2 at a mean age of, 12,43 years (SD 0,7475), G3 12,74 years (SD0,8873) G4 13,75 years (SD0,9488), and G5 15,28 years (SD 1,0834). The public hair appears at a mean age of PH2 12,66 years, PH3 13,31 years PH4 14,55 years, and PH5 15,38 years. At 17,5 years 100

of the males have reached their complete development. The existing correlation between variables, comparing genital development with pubic hair and viceversa, pubic hair with genital development was of 0,92 and 0,91 respectively. The complete puberal process in males encompass from 2 years 2 months to 3 years 6 months, mean of 2 years 11 months. The male genital development (G2) beging 8 months after the girls started their mammary development (B2) and the male pubic hair (PH2) appears one year later than in the girls.

Conducta sexual en adolescentes y jovenes. / [Sexual behavior in adolescents and young subjects]

The purpose of this paper was to obtain information about sexual behavior of university students. To achieve this goal we implemented a survey which was answered anonymously by 438 students, 123 women and 315 men. They were divided into three age groups. Between women, sexual activity grew with age, but between men, on the contrary, the highest percentage was verified in the youngest age group. The age at which sexual activity was started decreased in one year each four years of age and is two years ahead in boys. Reasons stated for this decision by women were based on values and love, while pleasure and opportunity were appointed by men. Both men and women of all ages showed a high number of sexual partners. Sexual transmitted diseases were acknowledged by a high number of students. This results clearly show the necessity of an educational programme including sexual advisory and sexual transmitted diseases prevention in all health care actions designed for university students.

Los adolescentes y los jovenes frente a la anticoncepcion, el embarazo y el aborto. / [Adolescents and young subjects facing contraception, pregnancy and abortion]

The objective aimed was to obtain information about the sexual behavior of adolescents and youths attending university as regards contraception, pregnancy and abortion and the knowledge of the Papanicolau test as a preventive, method for malignant diseases. An anonymous survey which was especially designed for this investigation was implemented with 438 students - 123 women and 315 men - divided into three groups according to age; between 17 - 20, 21 - 24 and more than 25 years-old. Taking into account the sexually active population. 70

of the men between 17-20 use contraceptive methods (condoms 98,6

) and so do 100

of the women of the same age (menstrual cycle control method 71,4

, contraceptive pills 14,2

, or her partner uses condom 21,4

). In the group of youths between 21-24 years old, 76,8

of the men and 82,7

of the women use contraceptive methods: 70

of the men use condoms and 30

contraceptive methods used by their patner, whereas 58,3

of the women use the menstrual cycle control method, 25

take pills and 8,3

use DIU. In the group of older youths 71,4

of the men use contraception methods (66,6

condoms) and 51,14

of the women (100

the menstrual cycle control method) and 25

add other methods to this one. Only 20,68

of the women stated having had pregnancies (all of the between 21 - 24). As there is the same porcentage of abortion in this age groups, it can be presumed that all the pregnancies ended in abortion. This contradicts the position stated regarding abortion due to the fact that 66

of the population questioned in the survey was against abortion and defended the right to live, whereas 23

was for abortion mainly in the case of rapes and/or maternal diseases. A small porcentage was for abortion in the case of pregnancies which may disturb their life projects. As regards the Papanicolau test, all the groups have a good knowledge about it, but only women over 25 years old practice it responsably.