Citation

Burack R. Br. J. Fam. Plann. 1999; 24(4): 145-148.

Affiliation

Department of General Practice and Primary Care, St. Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary Westfield College, UK.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1999, Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10023100

Abstract

A needs assessment conducted by the Barking and Havering Health Authority (England) focused on the sexual attitudes and behaviors of British adolescents. 1500 young people 13-18 years old completed a questionnaire. 78% of respondents reported some form of sexual contact with a partner and 23% had experienced sexual intercourse. 38% of male respondents and 11% of females indicated that their peers pressured them to regard sex as the most important thing in a relationship. 10% of teens indicated they would be embarrassed to suggest condom use to a partner and 37% were concerned about appearing clumsy when using a condom. 23% of males and 9% of females claimed they would be willing to have sexual intercourse without use of a condom, despite awareness of the risks involved. Sexually active youth under 16 years old were significantly less likely to use condoms than their older counterparts. Although these findings suggest that teenage boys are at especially high risk of sexual promiscuity and non-use of contraception, service provision remains focused on teenage girls.

Language: en