Teenagers and the risks of sexually transmitted diseases: A need for the provision of balanced information

Abstract

Objective: Evaluation of teenagers' knowledge and understanding about sexually transmitted disease, conception and contraception. Design: A questionnaire study. Setting: Schools. Subjects: 1025 teenagers aged 15/16 years (mean 16.00). Main outcome measures: Scores attained in response to questions about sexually transmitted disease related to the sources of information given as most helpful. Results: Teenagers have an incorrect understanding of the risks of sexually transmitted diseases. Conclusions: Teenagers may substantially underestimate their personal risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases following the promotion of information about HIV/AIDS. Apparently simple messages about HIV and AIDS given in mass media advertising programmes may have unwanted results and need to be balanced by appropriate professional interpretation to teenagers.