Teens More Curious About Sex Than STDs

Teens are more interested in finding out about sexual relationships, such as pain after intercourse and pregnancy, than about contraception and protecting themselves from sexually transmitted infections, a new study suggests.

The results are based on a review of questions submitted by visitors to www.teenwire.com, a Planned Parenthood Web site on teenaged sexuality and sexual health.

The researchers found that teens tended to ask about sex behaviors at a younger age than they asked about pregnancy or contraception.

And only 5 percent of the questions submitted focused on how to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

These findings suggest that teens are "less concerned" about STDs, Dr. Vanessa Cullins of Planned Parenthood, who is not an author on the study, told Reuters Health.

"Anyone who is sexually active is at risk of a sexually transmitted infection," she said, and more resources are needed to educate teens about these potentially life-threatening diseases.

During the study, published in the American Journal of Health Education, Planned Parenthood researchers led by Suzanne M. Johnson Vickberg reviewed 1,219 questions submitted to the "ask the experts" section of teenwire.com.

The average age of teenagers who submitted questions was 16 years, and the vast majority was female.

Most questions focused on their bodies; for instance, many teens asked about puberty, breast or penis size, body hair, and why a particular symptom occurs. Many other questions revolved around what can cause pregnancy, and how to behave in relationships, such as how to talk to a partner.

Only 12 percent of questions focused on contraception, and concerns about STDs generated the fewest number of questions of any category.

"It is concerning that there were not more questions on sexually transmitted infections and how to prevent sexually transmitted infections," Cullins said.

Teens still have a lot to learn about being safe and responsible in their relationships, and the recent findings demonstrate the importance of providing them with accurate information, she added.

The study "indicates that even those teens who have resources, such as the Internet, have many questions about sex, sexuality and contraception," she said. All teens need "freely accessible, medically accurate, age-appropriate information about sex, sexuality, abstinence and contraception."

SOURCE: American Journal of Health Education, September/October 2003.

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