title: Impact of school-based educational programs on sexual behaviors among adolescents in northern Italy.
abstract: This article aimed to determine sexual behaviors among female and male adolescents in northern Italy. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire evaluating sexual attitudes was distributed in middle and high schools in northern Italy. Adolescents between 13 and 19 years of age were asked to participate at the survey. The study group included 664 participants. Overall, 164 (25%) adolescents had had at least one sexual intercourse. Among adolescents who have had sexual intercourse, 90 (55%) use condoms, 25 (15%) use hormonal contraception, and 49 (30%) do not use any contraception method. A total of 559 adolescents (84%) participated in school-based sexual education programs. This group had better knowledge on sexually transmitted diseases and contraception methods in comparison with adolescents who have never participated in such educational programs (p <.05), and no difference in high-risk sexual behaviors was observed (p = 1.0). School-based sexual education programs improve knowledge of sexual transmitted diseases and contraception methods. However, this knowledge does not correlate to high-risk sexual behaviors reduction.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , University of Insubria , Del Ponte Hospital, Varese , Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bogani
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cromi
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Serati
authors.forename: Zelia
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Monti
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Apolloni
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nardelli
authors.forename: Edoardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Di Naro
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ghezzi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D012572:School Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012736:Sex Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data