Sexual and Reproductive Health and Education of Adolescents during COVID-19 Pandemic, Results from “Come Te La Passi?”—Survey in Bologna, Italy

Marco Montalti, Aurelia Salussolia, Alice Masini, Elisa Manieri, Flavia Rallo, Sofia Marini, Marta Agosta, Martina Paternò, Michela Stillo, Davide Resi, Federica Guaraldi, Davide Gori and Laura Dallolio
Additional contact information
Marco Montalti: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Aurelia Salussolia: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Alice Masini: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Elisa Manieri: Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Medical School, University of Bologna, Via Massarenti 11, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Flavia Rallo: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Sofia Marini: Department for Life Quality Studies, University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, Italy
Marta Agosta: Department of Public Health, Bologna Local Health Authority, 40124 Bologna, Italy
Martina Paternò: Department of Public Health, Bologna Local Health Authority, 40124 Bologna, Italy
Michela Stillo: Department of Public Health, Bologna Local Health Authority, 40124 Bologna, Italy
Davide Resi: Department of Public Health, Bologna Local Health Authority, 40124 Bologna, Italy
Federica Guaraldi: IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy
Davide Gori: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Laura Dallolio: Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 9, 1-9

Abstract: Social distancing measures adopted to face the COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental impact on adolescent education and their interaction with peers and adults, secondary to the limitation of school and recreational activities, with repercussions on social and sexual life. The “Come te la passi?” (“How is it going?”) study, performed in the Metropolitan City of Bologna (Italy), aimed at investigating the type of information sources adopted by adolescents for their sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge and education, the age of their sexual debut, and the way in which the COVID-19 pandemic affected their relationships and sexual life in order to help local health care professionals and educators designing SRH education programs. A purposely designed online survey was administered during the COVID-19 pandemic to 378 high school students (age > 14 yo) in July 2021. Based on the study results, the most common source of SRH education was the web, followed by peers (friends). A total of 61.3% of 17-year-olds already had sexual intercourse, and 90% of 15-year-olds had experienced romantic or sexual attraction. For 58.2% of the adolescents, the COVID-19 pandemic had negative effects on their relationships/sexual life. The current research emphasizes the need to involve health care professionals and educators in structured programs to promote SRH education tailored to adolescents’ needs and started from early ages.

Keywords: sexual health; reproductive health; SRH; sexual education; information sources; sexual debut; SARS-CoV-2; adolescents; health care providers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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