Sexual behaviour and contraception in people under the age of 20 in Alicante, Spain.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and to analyse the relationship between patterns of sexually-risky behaviour and emergency contraception among young females attending a Family Planning Centre (FPC).


METHODS
Data was obtained from a systematic analysis of 384 health records.


RESULTS
Mean age of the sample subjects was 18.24 years (SD 1.47, range 13-20). Of these, 92% were single, 60% students and 83% were with the same partner. Age at first intercourse was 16.5 years (SD 1.52, range 11-20). Those who used condoms systematically totalled 72%. Mean number of sexual partners was 1.85 (SD 2.91, range 1-50). A total of 9% had become pregnant and 2% had had an abortion. Emergency contraception was resorted to by 26% of the young women on at least one occasion. Emergency contraception was related to younger age at first sexual intercourse (p < 0.001) and to a great number of partners (p = 0.011). Of the total number of subjects, 48.4% demonstrated sexually-risky behaviour. This behaviour was related to alcohol consumption (p < 0.0001) and to the existence of dysfunction (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Spanish youngsters have enough knowledge regarding contraception. Condoms are mostly used on the occasion of a first sexual intercourse. However, the frequency of sexually-risky behaviour is still high due to the limited use of condoms in successive sexual relations with the same partner. Sexually-risky behaviour is also related to a high number of partners and to alcohol consumption on weekends.
Gómez
María Angeles
MA
Centro de Planificación Familiar Alicante III, Agencia Valenciana de Salud, Alicante, Spain. magomez@medtelecom.net
Sola
Ana
A
Cortés
María José
MJ
Mira
José Joaquín
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D003075:Coitus / Q000523:psychology; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital / Q000523:psychology*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D012309:Risk-Taking; D013030:Spain; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000523:psychology*
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D003272:Contraceptive Agents, Male