Provocative questions in parochial sex education classes: higher incidence in younger students.
OBJECTIVE
Recent data show US adolescents are engaging in sexual activity at earlier ages; however, little is known about young teens' sexual attitudes and behaviors. Examining teens' questions in sex education classes may provide insight into these attitudes and behaviors.


METHODS
Quasi cohort study


METHODS
Parochial middle school sex education classes


METHODS
5(th) through 8(th) graders


METHODS
Students' anonymous written questions submitted at the outset of sex education classes between 2003 and 2005.


METHODS
Questions were classified into topic categories. Three additional variables were then coded for each question. Ethics/guidance questions included requests for advice or value judgments. Prohibited questions included the topics homosexuality, abortion, masturbation, and contraception. "Red flag" questions were those that suggested consideration of or engagement in sexual behavior.


RESULTS
Among 473 questions submitted by 410 students, the most popular topics for 5(th)/6(th) graders were pregnancy and puberty, and for 7(th)/8(th) graders puberty and menstruation. 41 questions (8.6%) were prohibited. 29 questions (6.2%) asked about ethics/guidance. 18 questions (3.81%) were coded as red flag questions. A chi-square analysis showed that 5(th)/6(th) graders asked more questions in the ethics/guidance (8.3% versus 3.64%) and red flag question categories (5.53% versus 1.82%) (P < 0.05) than 7(th)/8(th) graders.


CONCLUSIONS
Although provocative questions represent a minority of these middle students' queries, these requests suggest the urgency of providing appropriate guidance to young teens, given the risks of early sexual activity. The role of school education programs, physicians and parents in addressing questions of this sort should be considered.
Moreno
Megan
M
Adolescent Medicine, Child Health Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA. megan.moreno@seattlechildrens.org
Breuner
Cora C
CC
Lozano
Paula
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012574:Schools; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States