Sexual and reproductive health: level of knowledge and source of information in adolescence.
adolescents
contraception
gender
knowledge
sex education
sexual health
sexually transmitted infections
Journal
The journal of sexual medicine
ISSN: 1743-6109
Titre abrégé: J Sex Med
Pays: Netherlands
ID NLM: 101230693
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
21 Aug 2024
21 Aug 2024
Historique:
received:
28
02
2024
revised:
17
06
2024
accepted:
22
07
2024
medline:
21
8
2024
pubmed:
21
8
2024
entrez:
21
8
2024
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
To date, there is a lack of a structured national plan of sexual education in Italy, with large interregional differences and poor uniformity in the promotion and learning of sexual health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge on sexuality and reproductive function among adolescents before and after a sexual education program, considering gender differences in the results. A longitudinal and interventional study was conducted on high school students. Six sessions for each class were carried out by a multidisciplinary team. Anonymous questionnaires were administered to investigate basic knowledge of human sexuality and reproduction before and after intervention. Participants were high school students who completed the questionnaires. Outcomes included pre and posttest answers on the knowledge questionnaire in study population. We obtained data from 842 high school students (mean ± SD age, 16.11 ± 1.74 years). The main informative sources on sexuality were social media in 37.9% of participants; family, school, and scientific material were the main source in 15.1%, 5.2%, and 4.4%, respectively. A total score of 12.6 ± 3.4 (range, 1-20) was obtained on the knowledge questionnaire; specifically, the score was higher in females than males (12.8 ± 3.4 vs 11.9 ± 3.4, P = .0001). In males and females, a statistically significant increase in level of knowledge was found after the multidisciplinary intervention (14.5 ± 3.6, P = .0001). The lack of sexual education programs in schools in Italy compels adolescents to refer to frequently unreliable sources, such as social media and peers, contributing to misinformation and adoption of risky sexual behaviors. This study is based on a large sample size and highlights the importance of sexual education programs. The main limitations are a greater representation of the female population and the inclusive nature of the school (ie, an artistic school), attracting students who identify with sexual minorities. Adolescents have limited knowledge about sexuality and reproduction, with a notable gender disparity; sexual education programs in schools, providing information from sexuality experts, led to a substantial increase in knowledge and a reduction in the gender gap.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
To date, there is a lack of a structured national plan of sexual education in Italy, with large interregional differences and poor uniformity in the promotion and learning of sexual health.
AIM
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of knowledge on sexuality and reproductive function among adolescents before and after a sexual education program, considering gender differences in the results.
METHODS
METHODS
A longitudinal and interventional study was conducted on high school students. Six sessions for each class were carried out by a multidisciplinary team. Anonymous questionnaires were administered to investigate basic knowledge of human sexuality and reproduction before and after intervention.
OUTCOMES
RESULTS
Participants were high school students who completed the questionnaires. Outcomes included pre and posttest answers on the knowledge questionnaire in study population.
RESULTS
RESULTS
We obtained data from 842 high school students (mean ± SD age, 16.11 ± 1.74 years). The main informative sources on sexuality were social media in 37.9% of participants; family, school, and scientific material were the main source in 15.1%, 5.2%, and 4.4%, respectively. A total score of 12.6 ± 3.4 (range, 1-20) was obtained on the knowledge questionnaire; specifically, the score was higher in females than males (12.8 ± 3.4 vs 11.9 ± 3.4, P = .0001). In males and females, a statistically significant increase in level of knowledge was found after the multidisciplinary intervention (14.5 ± 3.6, P = .0001).
CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
CONCLUSIONS
The lack of sexual education programs in schools in Italy compels adolescents to refer to frequently unreliable sources, such as social media and peers, contributing to misinformation and adoption of risky sexual behaviors.
STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS
UNASSIGNED
This study is based on a large sample size and highlights the importance of sexual education programs. The main limitations are a greater representation of the female population and the inclusive nature of the school (ie, an artistic school), attracting students who identify with sexual minorities.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents have limited knowledge about sexuality and reproduction, with a notable gender disparity; sexual education programs in schools, providing information from sexuality experts, led to a substantial increase in knowledge and a reduction in the gender gap.
Identifiants
pubmed: 39165032
pii: 7736252
doi: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdae094
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The International Society for Sexual Medicine. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.