A second study about sexual knowledge and attitudes of Galician adolescents

2º estudio sobre conocimientos y actitudes sexuales de los adolescentes Gallegos

Background: During adolescence, an individual’s sexual life begins. It is essential to understand their knowledge, attitudes and sexual habits, as this is the objective of the study, along with tracking their evolution over time. This is the second expanded edition of a similar study conducted in the same population in 2010. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study based on a poll which was performed from April to June 2021. An anonymous survey was carried out with 435 adolescents plus 16 between 12 and 21 in a public school. Results: The main sources of information about sexuality (sex) were: friends (77.6%), Internet (64.7%). 82.7% had their first sexual non coital experience at the average age of 13 years. Masturbation was/is considered to be pleasant and necessary in both sexes. 35.7% state as having maintained their first sexual relations at an average age of 15 years. Main reasons: desire (65.8%), Falling in love 46.6%, curiosity (46.6%). 93.5% consider their partner’s consent as being essential. 13.8% of the girls and 4.2% of the boys stated as having had suffered Sexual Abuse. A 20.8% pointed that they had witnessed it in others. A 55.7% had resorted (turned) to pornography at one moment or another. Preservative (condom) is the most known method of contraceptive (79.2%), 35% have used it once. 92.5% consider violent male chauvinism, unacceptable or negative. 88.5% believe that Sexual Education should be included as a school subject in their curriculum. Conclusions: To be worked on: To increase sexual knowledge in our youth, particularly in those fields related to the prevention on the transmission of sexual diseases and contraceptive methods. To improve their affective-sexual education, an aspect in which family can play a key role. Overcome the observed differences in the knowledge and attitudes between boys and girls.

Resumen

Antecedentes: Durante la Adolescencia comienza la vida sexual del individuo. Resulta fundamental conocer sus conocimientos, actitudes y hábitos sexuales, siendo éste el objetivo del estudio, así como la evolución de los mismos a lo largo del tempo. Segunda edición ampliada de un estudio similar realizado en la misma población en 2010. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo transversal basado en una encuesta realizada en abril–junio 2021. Se realizó una encuesta anónima con 435 adolescentes con edades entre los 12–19 años y 16 jóvenes de 21 años. Resultados: Principales fuentes de información sobre sexualidad: amistades (77.6%), Internet (64.7%). El 82.7% mantuvieron primera experiencia sexual no coital, edad mediana 13 años. La masturbación es considerada placentera y necesaria en ambos sexos. El 35.7% refieren haber mantenido primera relación sexual, edad mediana 15 años. Principales motivos: deseo (65.8%), enamoramiento (46.6%), curiosidad (46.6%). 93.5% consideran imprescindible consentimiento de la pareja. El 13.8% de las chicas y 4.2% de los chicos refirieron haber sufrido Abuso Sexual. El 20.8% señalaron que lo habían presenciado en otros. Un 55.7% recurrieron en algún momento a la Pornografía. El preservativo es el método anticonceptivo más conocido (79.2%); el 35.9% lo ha utilizado alguna vez. El 92.5% considera la violencia machista negativa e inaceptable. El 88.5% creen que la Educación Sexual debiera ser incluida en el Curriculum Escolar. Conclusiones: Hemos de trabajar en: Incrementar los conocimientos sobre sexualidad en nuestros jóvenes, en particular en aquellos campos relacionados con la prevención de enfermedades de transmisión sexual y métodos anticonceptivos. Mejorar su educación afectivo-sexual, aspecto en el que la familia puede jugar un papel clave. Superar las diferencias observadas en conocimientos y actitudes entre los chicos y las chicas.

Adolescent survey; Sexual habits; Teenager sexuality; Sex knowledge

Palabras Clave

Encuesta adolescentes; Hábitos sexuales; Sexualidad en adolescentes; Conocimientos sexuales

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