Sexuality of scholar adolescents of Parla's knowledge and behaviour
A. Robledo, A. López, S. de Jaén, R. Sánchez, L. del Río, E. Barrera

SUMMARY

Objective: To know the sexual behaviour, degree of knowlegde of sexuallity and the information sources on sexuality of the adolescent students of Parla.

Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Emplacement: Primary Care.

Participants: School adolescents (15-18 years old) of Parla (Madrid, Spain).

Measurements: Anonymous, self-administered survey based on other similar validated in Spain. Main measurements: socio-demographic dates, beginning of sexual relations, use of contraceptive methods, knowledge of risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

Results: n= 466. Mean age: 16,4 ± 1. 57,5% were women. Of them, 28,3% (IC 95%: 24,3-32,3%) had coitus with an average of age of 15,8 ± 1; 89,3% (IC 95%: 86,5- 92,1%) have used some contraceptive methods in their first experience of coitus, 70,4% (IC 95%: 66,3-74,5%) used them always in the next relations, principally condom (88,6%; IC 95%: 85,8-91,4%). 72,3% (IC 95%: 68,3-76,3%) of the adolescents correctly respond to the questions on contraception and prevention of pregnancies non wished and ETS. The main sources of information on sexuality are friends (57,9%), although they consider the one they received from their mothers more useful (43,1%). They would prefer to be informed by other formed young people (54,5%).

Conclusions: One of each four adolescents has maintained complete sexual relations, to an age of relatively precocious beginning. The most used contraceptive method is the condom, although only three of each four refer to use some method in all the relations. The degree of knowledge on contraceptive methods and prevention of pregnancies seems acceptable. The sources of information on sexuality do not seem to be those which the young people consider more useful.

KEY WORDS

Adolescents, sexuality, primary care.