Factors associated with Estonian adolescents' sexuality-related knowledge: Findings from the 1994 and 1999 KISS studies

Abstract

Objective To identify changes in factors associated with Estonian adolescents' sexuality-related knowledge. The relationship between self-reported school sexuality education and good sexuality-related knowledge is addressed.

Methods The study is based on the results of two consecutive studies conducted in 1994 and 1999, based on anonymous self-completed questionnaires in schools, which involved 2256 respondents from random samples of primary school 9th grade pupils. Information on 16 sexual knowledge items, experience of sexual intercourse, discussions about sexuality with parents and school sexuality education was collected. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to account for the simultaneous effects of independent determinants on good sexuality-related knowledge.

Results The results showed improvement in the respondents' level of sexuality-related knowledge between the two study years. Whereas in 1994, good sexual knowledge was positively associated solely with experience of sexual intercourse, in 1999, good sexual knowledge was also positively associated with school sexuality education.

Conclusion The improvement of sexuality-related knowledge and its positive association with school sexuality education in 1999 may be a result of the mandatory sexuality education introduced into the school curriculum in 1996. These findings have important implications for the further provision of school sexuality education in Estonia.

Key Words:

• Adolescent
• Estonia
• Knowledge
• Sexual intercourse
• Sexuality education
• School