Knowledge and usage of contraception methods among high school youth in Tuzla Canton

The objective of this work was to examine usage and knowledge of contraception methods in adolescents in Tuzla Canton. During the period from June to September 2003 a survey involving 2,995 high school boys and girls, 14 to 19 years of age, was conducted using standardized questionnaire. The age, sex, place of residence (municipality), sexarcha age (first intercourse age), usage and knowledge about contraception methods were recorded. Our results have shown that 395 (13,18%) high school youth were sexually active. The age average of sexarcha for girls was 16,50 and for boys 15,7 years of age. In undeveloped municipalities sexual activity of adolescents of both genders was significantly higher then in the developed ones (p<0,05). High school boys aged 14 to 19 years were sexually more active and had an intercourse more frequently than girls of the same age (p<0,0001). Sexually active high school youth mainly opted for condoms (boys 63%, girls 59,8%). Most sexually active adolescents who did not use any protection originated from undeveloped municipalities. A statistically significant difference between the girls and boys related to usage of contraception did not exist. Most high school youth showed insufficient knowledge about contraceptive methods (74,50% boys and 57,50% girls). Statistically girls showed significantly better knowledge about contraception than boys (p