Sexual Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Adolescents in Northern Serbia - Are We Making any Progress? Follow-up Study 2000-2008

Journal für Reproduktionsmedizin und Endokrinologie - Journal of Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology 2010; 7 (Sonderheft 1): 106-111

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Keywords: Adoleszenz,  Kontrazeption,  Serbien,  Sexualität,  adolescents,  contraception,  Serbia,  sexual knowledge

Objectives: To compare adolescents’ sexual knowledge, attitudes and practice in Serbia presently and eight years ago with the aim of establishing the progress in education and plan further actions for improving reproductive health of our adolescents. Methods: 933 high school adolescents in Northern part of Serbia, in eight high schools were involved in the study conducted in year 2008. Questionnaire made for this survey included questions about knowledge, attitudes and practices of adolescents in reproductive health (sexuality, contraception and STI). Comparison is made with the situation in year 2000. Results: Almost half of the high school adolescents are sexually active – 44 %, the mean age of first intercourse being16 years. Only 57.3 % of adolescents use contraception regularly, 40.7 % use it sometimes and 2 % have never used it. Majority of adolescents used condom – 58.1 %, and one quarter used a combination of several means of contraception – 26.1 %. There is not enough knowledge about significant STIs (Chlamydia, HPV, herpes). Half of adolescents want more education on sexuality, STIs and contraception, in schools, from experts. Conclusions: There are actions being conducted in Serbia with the aim of improvement of reproductive health of young people, but organized sexual education in the schools is not yet mandatory.