Two steps forward and one step back? Australian secondary students' sexual health knowledge and behaviors 1992-2002.
OBJECTIVE
To report on changes in the sexual health knowledge and sexual and risk behaviors of year 10 and 12 Australian school students between 1992 and 2002.


METHODS
Surveys were administered at five yearly intervals to a total of 6781 students in 263 government secondary schools in all Australian states and territories.


RESULTS
Analysis of data from the three survey administrations shows high levels of knowledge concerning human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), but a small but consistent decline since 1992. Knowledge about sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis remains poor. In 2002, there was an increase in the number of students reporting ever having had sexual intercourse, and this was most pronounced for year 10 students. The number of young men in year 10 who reported having three or more partners had doubled since 1997 to 33%. More year 10 young women also reported having intercourse with three or more partners. Consistency of condom use has improved over time; however, 39% still report condom use only sometimes.


CONCLUSIONS
School-based sexual health education provides a critical basis for ensuring that young people begin to experience sex safely and with an appropriate knowledge base.
Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Paul A
PA
Agius
Sue
S
Dyson
Marian K
MK
Pitts
Anne
A
Mitchell
Anthony M A
AM
Smith
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012736:Sex Education; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D013334:Students