Fræðigrein

Objective: Sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancies are social and health issues among Icelandic teenagers and are more prevalent than in neighbouring countries. In 2001 knowledge and attitudes to sexual education, sexually transmitted disease and contraception among 16-year olds were investigated by questionnaire. Knowledge was defective. The study was repeated in 2005-2006 in a larger sample and change over five years estimated after an educational effort on sexual issues was launched by medical students (www.astradur.is).

Material and methods: A survey with 69 multiple choice questions was administered in conjunction with sexual education by medical students. Changes in replies to the same questions were compared between 2001 and 2005-2006 as well as before and after teaching.

Results: A total of 201 teenagers were in the first and 417 in the latter study. There was a wish for sexual education in schools and by outside advisers. The parental role was relatively small. Knowledge was inadequate in both, but significant improvement was seen between periods and after the educational effort (p<0.001). Misconceptions were common, such as 13% of boys believing that oral contraceptives protected against sexually transmitted disease, that herpes infection was curable by antibiotics (70% of respondents) and that modern medicine cured HIV (10% of respondents). Attitudes to sexual behavior had not changed by 2005-6 and 66% thought it normal for 14-16 year olds to have sexual intercourse, while only 8% were ready to handle the consequences.

Conclusion: Misconception and inadequate knowledge on various key aspects of sexuality is common, not least on serious sexually transmitted diseases, which suggests a need for improved sexual education in late primary and early secondary school.

Key words: Sexual education, teenagers, sexually transmitted disease, contraception, emergency contraception

Correspondence: Reynir Tómas Geirsson, reynirg@landspitali.is

Table I: Comparison of the questionnaires 2001 and 2006; answers to questions on emphasis in sexual education compared by mean values.

Table II: Comparison of the questionnaires 2001 and 2006, as well as the questionnaires before and after intervention; answers to questions on various aspects concerning sexually transmitted diseases and use of contraceptives compared by mean values.

Table III: Overview of the percentage of correct answers to questions included in both 2001 and 2006 (males and females).

Fig.1: Overview of which parties 16 year old teenagers considered as having been the main providers of information on sexual matters. In 2001 the option of video/DVD was not provided.

Fig. 2: The number of sexual partners considered ordinary in a lifetime broken down by gender (boys/girls 2001 and 2006).

Fig. 3: The gender proportion of 16 year olds who gave correct answers to questions only included in 2005-6 (boys/girls).

Fig. 4: The proportion of 16 year olds who gave correct answers (genders combined); questions where scores changed significantly after intervention 2005-6.