Document 0630
 DOCN  M95A0630
 TI    Age at sexual debut predicts sexually transmitted disease knowledge
       among adolescent males. American Pediatric Society 104th annual meeting
       and Society for Pediatric Research 63rd annual meeting; 1994 May 2-5;
       Seattle.
 DT    9510
 AU    Genuardi FJ; Boker JR; Oh MK; Department of Pediatrics, University of
       Alabama at Birmingham,; USA.
 SO    Pediatr AIDS HIV Infect. 1994 Oct;5(5):317 (unnumbered abstract). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE AIDS/95330414
 AB    OBJECTIVE. To determine whether sexually transmitted disease (STD)
       knowledge is better in adolescent males with a later age at sexual
       debut, and whether this knowledge correlates with either subsequent
       sexual behavior or STD history. METHODS. A group of adolescent male high
       school student athletes was surveyed during preparticipation physical
       examinations in the summer of 1992. Information was obtained concerning
       age at sexual debut, subsequent sexual behavior, and STD history. A
       fifteen item STD knowledge questionnaire was also administered. Results
       were compared between those whose sexual debut occurred prior to age 12
       and those for whom it occurred at age 12 or later. RESULTS. Sexual debut
       took place prior to age 12 in 148 (32%) of the 469 student athletes
       studied. Those with an earlier sexual debut had a greater median number
       of lifetime sexual partners (9 v. 4, p < 0.0001). There was no
       difference between the groups with respect to time since most recent
       intercourse, condom use with most recent intercourse, whether most
       recent intercourse was with a steady or casual partner, the frequency of
       intercourse in the preceding four months, condom use in the preceding
       four months, or STD history. STD knowledge scores were higher for those
       whose sexual debut occurred at age 12 or later, both with respect to
       facts about prevention and treatment (p < 0.001) and symptom recognition
       (p = 0.02). There was no correlation among knowledge, sexual behavior,
       and STD history, either for the overall group or when age at sexual
       debut was controlled for. CONCLUSIONS. STD knowledge is better among
       adolescent males with a later age at sexual debut. However, this
       knowledge does not correlate with either behavioral differences or
       differences in STD occurrence. Efforts to delay sexual debut must
       therefore be accompanied by additional interventions aimed at changing
       other behaviors such as condom use to reduce transmission of STDs.
 DE    Adolescence  Adolescent Behavior  Age Factors  Child  Educational Status
       *Health Education  Human  Male  *Sex Behavior  *Sexually Transmitted
       Diseases/DIAGNOSIS/PREVENTION & CONTROL/  THERAPY  MEETING ABSTRACT
       JOURNAL ARTICLE

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