What the male and female adolescents of Lima do think and feel concerning sexual and reproductive health

1455 students in the fourth and fifth years of secondary school in metropolitan Lima were surveyed to determine their sexual and reproductive health behaviors and information needs knowledge of sexuality and attitudes toward gender roles. The students attended 133 public and private day and night schools. The questionnaire was based on surveys conducted in Chile. A group of university student volunteers from the “Futuro” youth center in Lima who had received training in themes related to sexual and reproductive health were involved in all phases of the study planning and also served as interviewers. 25% of the secondary school students were sexually active. The majority had had only one partner. The most frequent reasons given for not having become sexually active were values for the female students and lack of opportunity for the males. Pregnancy had resulted among 9% of those sexually active with 75% ending in spontaneous or induced abortion. 79% did not use contraception at first intercourse and 27% did not regard pregnancy as a possibility. 80% stated they would use contraception if they had sexual relations. Most were concerned about AIDS but 20% of the women stated they had no interest in prevention. 11% of the sample reported having been sexually abused. The adolescents perceived that sexuality is treated more openly than in the past although information received from friends may not be “technical”. There was a clear conception of the risks of irresponsible sexuality. The students were informed about contraception although use was not as widespread as knowledge. The students recognized the need for reproductive health services. Most overestimated the extent of sexual activity among their peers and regarded pregnancy in adolescence as a problem for both the mother and father.