An interesting paper in the most recent issue of Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health looked at how teens think about their STD risk. The study, by Dr. Aletha Akers and colleagues, found that teens are aware that sex has consequences, but they're not good at figuring out how to prevent them.
The small study consisted of focus group interviews with 37 Black adolescents from rural North Carolina. The researchers found that adolescents were well aware that different sexual activities - including oral and anal sex - could spread STDs, although they were not necessarily quite clear on the details. They were also aware that abstinence, condoms, and monogamy were potentially protective - although some of their information there was spotty as well.
The real problem appeared to be how the teens were putting their knowledge into action. In particular they thought the most effective protection options were infeasible. There was too much pressure to have sex to be abstinent. There was too much pressure to be dishonest to trust in disclosure. And there was too much need for partner cooperation to always use condoms. Instead, teens relied on a number of less effective, or even dangerous, self protection techniques, such as: judging risk by a person's appearance and reputation, getting tested after an encounter, douching, substituting other risky activities for intercourse, and restricting a partner's free time.
Clearly sex education has to do a better job of not just teaching teens the facts about sexual risks, but giving them the practical skills they need to protect themselves. It doesn't do any good to know what to do, if you can't find a way to do it.
Source: http://std.about.com/b/2012/07/09/how-teens-think-about-risk.htm
std herpes in women herpes virus 6 hsv 2 symptoms herpes pictures men hsv 2 virus
No comments:
Post a Comment