Introduction: The aim of this study was to present selected key figures concerning the sexual knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour among Danish teenagers.
Material and methods: 7355 Danish adolescents (aged 13-25) participated in a comprehensive questionnaire survey concerning sexual knowledge, attitudes, and behaviour.
Results: The median age at coital debut was 16.8 and in all age groups > 13, girls were more experienced and active than boys. The coital frequency was increased by age, as was girls' experience with orgasm in the years following their debut. The prevalence of same-gender sex appeared to be modest, and anal sex was reported by less than 10 per cent. A significant and increasing amount of youngsters did not discuss sexual matters at home, whereas the vast majority had received sexual education in school. One fourth of the girls regarded doctors as desired sexual interlocutors. Almost one fourth of the youngsters did not use contraception at their sexual debut, and 7 per cent of the sexually experienced girls had had an induced abortion. 9 per cent of the girls and 5 per cent of the boys had been infected with chlamydia, and 17 per cent of those sexually active had taken at least one HIV test.
Discussion: The age at coital debut seems to be stable, whereas the prevalences of unsafe sex and STDs are still high. New didactic methods are incessantly needed, just as supplementary empirical studies are encouraged.