Condoms and adolescents. A prospective study of a new method of teaching

A prospective investigation was conducted to assess the effect of supplementary sex education for 1.3 house in addition to the compulsory sex education component in Danish elementary schools. 1 doctor did the teaching and practice with a condom was introduced as a new element in the teaching process. Students completed questionnaires both 7 weeks prior to 7 weeks after this teaching session; a total of 451 pupils from the 8th and 9th grades participated. From 1982 to the current time there were great changes in the methods of contraception used by adolescents as well as in their attitudes. While more adolescents today consider the condom to provide the best form of contraception nevertheless only 9% were able to use one correctly. After the teaching session knowledge about how to use a condom correctly was significantly better and there was an overall improvement in attitude towards this method. A balance in information about methods of contraceptive is recommended and young people should see their own physicians for individual advice. The results of this investigation indicate that this additional teaching component is essential for those pupils already in the 8th grade. (authors modified) (summary in ENG)