Young People Awareness of Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Contraception: A Portuguese Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Carlos Franclim Silva (), Inês Silva, Alexandra Rodrigues, Luísa Sá, Daniel Beirão, Paula Rocha and Paulo Santos ()
Additional contact information
Carlos Franclim Silva: Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
Inês Silva: Unidade de Saúde Familiar São João do Porto, Rua Miguel Bombarda, 234, 4050-377 Porto, Portugal
Alexandra Rodrigues: Serviço de Dermatologia do Centro Hospitalar e Universitário do Porto, Largo do Prof. Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal
Luísa Sá: Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
Daniel Beirão: Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
Paula Rocha: Center for Research in Higher Education Policies (CIPES), Universities of Aveiro and Porto, Rua 1º Dezembro 399, 4450-227 Matosinhos, Portugal
Paulo Santos: Department of Community Medicine, Information and Health Decision Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-13

Abstract: Adolescents and young adults are an important target concerning reducing health-risk behavior adoption, including sexual health. Studying their knowledge concerning sexuality and their main counsellors, can be an important step in targeting an updated health promotion approach. This study characterized adolescents and young adults’ knowledge and attitudes about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and contraception, prospecting for their main trusted counseling sources. We conducted a cross-sectional, population-based, self-report survey of 746 individuals aged between 14 and 24 years from Paredes, Portugal. The questionnaire included many dimensions, as demographic characteristics, youth behavior, currently sexually active status, main counselors concerning health topics, awareness, and knowledge about STDs and contraception. Mean age of the participants was 18.3 years, 50.5% of them had started their sexual activity. Males present themselves as more sexually active, starting earlier, and have more sexual partners than females. Participants reported an adequate knowledge perception about STDs and contraception methods, however we found different patterns on specific STDs and contraceptive methods, according to gender, age, and sexually active status. Our results help design specific interventions to reach youth, community, and healthcare providers, pointing out the value of bringing people to the center of health policies.

Keywords: adolescent; young adult; sexually transmitted diseases; contraception; health education; social planning; sex education; sexuality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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