Abstract

ALFARO GONZALEZ, M.  and  AEPAP. Grupo de Educación para la Salud et al. Sexual behavior in adolescents 13 to 18 years old. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria [online]. 2015, vol.17, n.67, pp.217-225. ISSN 1139-7632.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1139-76322015000400003.

Introduction: the adolescent population is particularly vulnerable to the risks related with their sexual behavior, because it is a period of maturation and experience which is part of this evolutionary stage. Teenage pregnancy and early motherhood are associated with school failure, impaired physical and mental health, social isolation, poverty and other related factors. Moreover the non-use of appropriate protective barriers increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI), with serious consequences in the short and long term biopsychosocial adolescent health. Objectives: to determine the characteristics of adolescent sexuality in the province of Valladolid. Methods: cross-sectional study, using an anonymous survey to 2412 schoolchildren 13-18 years old in the academic year 2011-2012. Results: 81% of students feel they have very good or good information on sexuality. 75% of students believe that the information they have about STI is very good or good. 30.4% have had sexual intercourse. The age of first complete sexual intercourse is between 15 and 16 years (50.9%). Most of the adolescents use a contraceptive method in their relationships (91.3%), but there are still 8.7% referring not using any. Most of the students use the condom for contraceptive method (89.6%). 20.9% of teens who have had sex with penetration have used “the morning-after pill” or emergency contraception at some time. 3.6% reported having being pregnant or having left his partner pregnant. Conclusions: although they consider themselves sufficiently informed about sexuality and STI, adolescents present risk behaviors in their sexual activities.

Keywords : Adolescent; Sexuality; Pregnancy; Contraceptive methods.

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