Teens Seek Information about Sex, Relationships Almost a Year Before Inquiring About Preventing Pregnancy, Sexually Transmitted Infection

NEW YORK CITY, Oct. 14 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Teens writing to areproductive health information Web site inquire about sex behaviorsan average of a year earlier than they ask about disease or pregnancyprevention, according to a Planned Parenthood Federation of America(PPFA) study in the Sept./Oct. 2003 issue of the American Journal ofHealth Education.

"Teens aren't getting the information they need in time to protecttheir health and prevent unintended pregnancy and sexuallytransmitted infection," said PPFA Vice President for Medical AffairsVanessa Cullins, MD, MPH. "Information that is wrong, too little ortoo late can result in long-term and life-threatening consequences.Our young people need a responsible source to turn to in confidenceand with confidence -- not incorrect information from other teens orthe media."

Teens increasingly use the Internet to find information abouthealth and sexuality. Planned Parenthood conducted a study analyzingteens' sexual health questions submitted through its award-winningteen Web site, teenwire.comSM. The study, titled "What Teens Want toKnow: Sexual Health Questions Submitted to a Teen Web Site," is ananalysis of 1,219 questions submitted through the "Ask the Experts"column on teenwire.com.

Although the questions related to a number of sexual healthconcerns, the study yielded three primary findings: concerns oversexually transmitted infections (STIs) were rarely mentioned;relatively few males submitted questions to the site; and teensasking about sex behaviors were significantly younger than thoseasking about reproductive health services and preventing pregnancy orsexually transmitted infection. The study also provides richinformation about teens' thoughts, beliefs, and concerns.

This study's findings in combination with high teen STI andpregnancy rates show that teens are not getting the information theyneed to protect their health and prevent unintended pregnancy.Abstinence-only education neglects teens' concerns and denies theminformation they need to make healthy and responsible decisions. Onlymedically accurate sex education allows for responsible decisionmaking and disease prevention.

Planned Parenthood believes that sexuality is an essential,lifelong aspect of being human and it should be celebrated withrespect, openness, and mutuality. teenwire.com is a confidential,trusted source of honest and accurate sexuality information forteens.

See the published article for a discussion of each finding inlength and ways Web sites and educators can better meet teens'reproductive health needs.

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