title: Sexual behaviour and sex education in Irish school-going teenagers.
abstract: The sexual behaviour and factors which affect such behaviour, source of knowledge and education about sex was assessed by means of an anonymous self-administered questionnaire among 2754 pupils (15-18 years) attending 40 (85%) second level schools in Galway City and County. The purpose of the study was to make recommendations in relation to a school sexual health education programme. Overall 21% of pupils had had sexual intercourse, with boys more than twice as likely as girls to have experienced this. The mean age of first sexual intercourse was 15.5 years, 72% reported having used a condom at first intercourse but of 475 pupils who had sexual intercourse regularly only 67% used condoms all the time with 33% using them sometimes or never. Over half reported that first intercourse was with a 'casual' partner and 35% and 9% respectively claimed that alcohol and non-prescribed drugs were a contributory factor. In relation to sexual risk beliefs, 72% believed that condoms used properly reduced the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and 78% knew that the contraceptive pill is not protective against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. While the level of knowledge regarding sex education was generally high over one-third of sexually active respondents had been involved in high-risk behaviour. A need for health education programmes which focus on behaviour change and assertiveness has been identified.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Science Institute, University College, Galway, UK.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: MacHale
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Newell
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D017280:Condoms; D003270:Contraceptive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D012307:Risk Factors; D012572:School Health Services; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012736:Sex Education; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D003270:Contraceptive Agents; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs