title: Sexual and reproductive knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in a school going population of Sri Lankan adolescents.
abstract: The reproductive and sexual health of adolescents is an important health concern and a focus of global attention. In Sri Lanka, a lack of understanding about adolescent reproductive and sexual health needs is a matter of national concern. A survey was undertaken to examine the sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of school going adolescents in Sri Lanka. A random sample of schools was selected from one district. Data were collected by a self-completion questionnaire and analysed using SPSS. Response rate was 90%. 2020 pupils (26% boys, 74% girls) aged 16-19 years (mean=16.9) participated, the majority Sinhalese (97%). Most reported a good parent-child relationship (88%). A minority (34%) discussed sexual issues with parents. Health professionals were the preferred source of sexual information (32%) rather than parents (12.5%) or friends (5.6%). Less than 1% demonstrated satisfactory sexual and reproductive knowledge levels. 1.7% were sexually active (30 boys vs 5 girls), the majority with same age partners. 57% used contraception at first intercourse. There is an imperative to address the lack of sexual and reproductive knowledge. A minority of school going adolescents become sexually active. These individuals are potentially vulnerable and services need to be developed to meet their needs.
authors: Health Education Bureau, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
authors: Neelamani
authors: N
authors: Rajapaksa-Hewageegana
authors: Centre for Health and Social Care Research, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield, UK. Electronic address: h.piercy@shu.c.uk.
authors: Hilary
authors: H
authors: Piercy
authors: Centre for Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, UK.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Salway
authors: WHO Country Office, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
authors: Sarath
authors: S
authors: Samarage
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012736:Sex Education / Q000379:methods; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013188:Sri Lanka; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: Adolescence; Sexual behaviour; Sexual health; Sexual knowledge; Sri Lanka