Salute riproduttiva tra gli adolescenti: conoscenze, attitudini e comportamenti

This study reports the results of a survey on knowledge, attitude and behaviour on reproductive health among adolescents attending the first two years of high school in 11 Italian regions. Nobody refused the interview and 13% (952 out of 7484) were absent at the time of interview. More than 95% ask for sexual education at school, 23% from age 6 and 58% from age 11. More than 90% consider sexual education useful to increase consciousness and self-esteem. Thirty-six percent have been involved in sexual education activities at school. More than 80% refer they are living the puberal changes with naturalness, curiosity and enthusiasm. Only 33% know the fertile period of menstrual cycle. About 80% intend to use a contraceptive in case of sexual intercourse. Eighteen percent of interviewed have had sexual intercourses, 11% of them without using a contraceptive method. The knowledge on sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) is poor. Even though 98% consider AIDS a STD, only 58% know that also hepatitis is a sexual transmitted disease. About 80% think that condom is useful in preventing STDsConsiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - Biblioteca Centrale - P.le Aldo Moro, 7, Rome Istituto Superiore di Sanita' - Viale Regina Elena, 299, Rome / CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle RichercheSIGLEITItal