title: Time trends in adolescent sexual behaviour in Italy.
abstract: Background There has been little research investigating sexual health in Italy. The aim of the present study was to present time trends over 8 years in sexual behaviour among adolescents.
  
  
  
  This study is part of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (sample: 3983 adolescents aged 15 years; 51.9% girls). Measures included sexual initiation, condom use and age of first sexual intercourse.
  
  
  
  No variation was observed in the prevalence of sexual initiation and in condom use. The mean age of first sexual intercourse decreased among surveyed adolescents.
  
  
  
  Considering the tendency of Italian adolescents to begin having intercourse at an earlier age, increased knowledge on sexual behaviours is needed to improve sexual health.
authors.affiliation: University of Padova, Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.affiliation: University of Padova, Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vieno
authors.affiliation: University of Padova, Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Michela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lenzi
authors.affiliation: University of Padova, Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, Via Venezia 8, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santinello
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D003075:Coitus; D017280:Condoms; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D021841:Safe Sex; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires