title: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Schools
  
  
  METHODS
  1025 teenagers aged 15/16 years (mean 16.00).
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, University of Exeter, UK.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mellanby
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Phelps
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Tripp
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003075:Coitus / Q000523:psychology; D003267:Contraception / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization; D006266:Health Education / Q000592:standards*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012574:Schools; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013690:Television