[Sex education in 6th and 7th grade girls].
OBJECTIVE
To help the students to know the basic knowledge on sexual health of adolescent, to have a positive attitude toward the phenomenon occurred during the adolescence; and to promote the health behaviors of girls.


METHODS
Three hundred and sixty-three 6th and 7th grade girls from Fuxin city were involved. These girls were divided into experimental group and control by class. Pretest, post-test one month after education, and follow-up test four months after education were conducted respectively.


RESULTS
After education, the score of basic knowledge on sexual health of the girls in the experimental group increased from 4.86 to 17.20. The score of positive attitude toward menstruation increased from 31.8 to 42.3. The percentage of the girls who had healthful and optimistic emotion during the menstruation increased from 43.5% to 82.9%. The percentage of the girls who visited hospital if they had reproductive diseases increased from 54.3% to 87.6%. The percentage of the girls who often wash the external genitals during menstruation increased from 50.9% to 79.0%. The ability of avoiding sexual harassment and abuse was enhanced. The follow-up test showed that the effects of sex education lasted. During the whole experimental process, no student who had sexual intercourse was discovered.


CONCLUSIONS
Sex education in 6th and 7th grade girls is essential, feasible and effective in China.
Chen
J
J
Institute of Child and Adolescent Health, Beijing Medical University.
Ye
G
G
D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011627:Puberty; D012736:Sex Education