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Abstract
Objective To investigate the knowledge of reproductive physiology and anatomy among adolescents and young adults in Sweden, and to evaluate the education obtained on these issues.
Methods Two hundred and nine study specific questionnaires were distributed, of which 206 were answered by students in primary school, upper secondary school and at first year of university. A total knowledge score based on 21 out of the 35 questions in the questionnaire was calculated. As only 44 of the 206 respondents answered all the questions a revised score was also calculated, in which partial dropouts were interpreted as wrong answers.
Results The mean of the total knowledge score was 28.7 out of 54 among the 44 respondents answering all questions, and the revised knowledge score was 24.0. The level of knowledge tended to be higher in older age groups, among women, as well as among respondents who had visited a Youth clinic. The time of ovulation was known by 21.4% of men compared to 63.4% of women. Almost 50% of the students knew one mechanism whereby oral contraceptives act to protect against pregnancy. Of the respondents, 77.2% knew of Chlamydia trachomatis but the knowledge of other STIs, like condyloma, was poorer (16.5%). Reasons for infertility were relatively well known among the respondents. Of the respondents, 57.5% stated that they had not received enough information on reproductive issues.
Conclusions The students have not achieved sufficient knowledge concerning sexual and reproductive matters that they, according to the national curriculum, should have attained by the end of the 9th grade. An improvement of the quality of the education, adapted to the students' age and pre-existing knowledge, and a review of the contents of the education is therefore needed.
| Abbreviations | ||
| STI | = | sexually transmitted infections. The STIs considered in this study are: syphilis, gonorrhoea, genital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, HIV/AIDS, condyloma, genital herpes, vulvovaginitis, scabies, and pediculosisCitation. All of these diseases may be transmitted by sexual intercourse, but some of them may also be transmitted by other means |
| Sexology | = | study of sexuality and sexual behaviour |
| Youth clinic | = | gynaecological clinic especially designed for the needs of young patients. Both girls and boys are welcome. Provides advice concerning contraception and testing for STIs, but also a chance to talk about relations and sexuality with a professional |
| OCs | = | oral contraceptives |
| ECPs | = | emergency contraceptive pills |
| Abbreviations | ||
| STI | = | sexually transmitted infections. The STIs considered in this study are: syphilis, gonorrhoea, genital infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, HIV/AIDS, condyloma, genital herpes, vulvovaginitis, scabies, and pediculosisCitation. All of these diseases may be transmitted by sexual intercourse, but some of them may also be transmitted by other means |
| Sexology | = | study of sexuality and sexual behaviour |
| Youth clinic | = | gynaecological clinic especially designed for the needs of young patients. Both girls and boys are welcome. Provides advice concerning contraception and testing for STIs, but also a chance to talk about relations and sexuality with a professional |
| OCs | = | oral contraceptives |
| ECPs | = | emergency contraceptive pills |