Teenagers and the risks of sexually transmitted diseases: a need for the provision of balanced information.
Department of Child Health, University of Exeter, UK.
OBJECTIVE--Evaluation of teenagers' knowledge and understanding about sexually transmitted disease, conception and contraception. DESIGN--A questionnaire study. SETTING--Schools SUBJECTS--1025 teenagers aged 15/16 years (mean 16.00). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Scores attained in response to questions about sexually transmitted disease related to the sources of information given as most helpful. RESULTS--Teenagers have an incorrect understanding of the risks of sexually transmitted diseases. CONCLUSIONS--Teenagers may substantially underestimate their personal risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases following the promotion of information about HIV/AIDS. Apparently simple messages about HIV and AIDS given in mass media advertising programmes may have unwanted results and need to be balanced by appropriate professional interpretation to teenagers.
Relevant Article
- Teenagers and the risk of STD.
- P Lister, R French, A Pallecaros, R Kempson, D Thirlby, and A Robinson
Genitourin Med 1993 69: 80.[PDF]
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