Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.24141/1/8/1/9
Habits, knowledge and attitudes about sexuality of adolescents in Brodsko-posavska county
Valentina Koporčić
; Pula General Hospital, Pula, Croatia ; Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Faculty of Medicine, Pula, Croatia
Željko Jovanović
orcid.org/0000-0003-0476-9303
; Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Faculty of Medicine, Pula, Croatia ; Faculty of Health Studies, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Abstract
Aim: Adolescence is a developmental phase during which individuals begin to strengthen their sense of identity, which is marked by autonomous functioning that will lead to sexual maturation and independent living while maintaining secure connections with family, peers and the wider community. The aim of the study is to examine and compare knowledge, attitudes, and habits about adolescent sexuality, and to determine whether there are differences depending on whether the students are from medical high schools or general education secondary schools.
Subjects and methods: The subjects who participated in the study, aged between 17 and 20, were students from two high schools in Slavonski Brod, the Medical High School and the general education secondary school “Matija Mesić”. 100 students participated: 72 females and 28 males. The participants were asked to fill in an anonymous questionnaire containing general questions and questions about their habits, knowledge, and attitudes related to sexual health. Their knowledge was tested through questions about STDs, protection during sexual intercourse, and how often they should be tested. The section on attitudes towards sexuality revolved around the question of attitudes about abortion and whether they believe that sex education is needed in schools.
Results: The analysis of the respondents’ habits showed that 59% of the respondents have had sexual intercourse. Only 17% of the respondents provided all correct answers, and 80% of them provided more than half of the correct answers. The majority of the respondents (65%) believe that free contraceptives would reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and STDs, while almost all (91%) believe that sex education is needed in schools.
Conclusion: Most of the respondents have entered into sexual relationships, and the majority of those who have is from the medical school. The most common reason given for entering into the relationship is love. Almost all respondents use contraception. The respondents’ knowledge of sex is unsatisfactory, especially of those from the general-education secondary school. More of the female respondents were against abortion than male respondents. Most respondents want sex education in schools.
Keywords
adolescents; attitudes; habits; knowledge; sexuality
Hrčak ID:
271961
URI
Publication date:
3.2.2022.
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