Document 0301
 DOCN  M9650301
 TI    Adolescent sexuality in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
 DT    9605
 AU    Lunin I; Hall TL; Mandel JS; Kay J; Hearst N; Center for AIDS Prevention
       Studies (CAPS), University of; California, San Francisco 94105, USA.
 SO    AIDS. 1995 Jul;9 Suppl 1:S53-60. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96085744
 AB    OBJECTIVES: To describe adolescent knowledge, attitudes and behavior
       relevant to sexuality and the prevention of AIDS in Saint Petersburg,
       Russia. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was
       designed, taking a random sample of 10th grade students at 14 Saint
       Petersburg grade schools, which were stratified by socio-economic
       district. A total of 185 female and 185 male students completed a
       self-administered 46-item questionnaire, with a response rate of 94%.
       RESULTS: From the questionnaires, 20% of females and 31% of males
       reported having had sexual intercourse and 25% of females and 12% of
       males reported being sexually abused. These adolescents displayed much
       misinformation about sexual matters and AIDS prevention. Only 25% of the
       females and 34% of the males believed that condoms should be used just
       once, and 38% of each sex believed that if washed, they could be used
       multiple times. Many respondents, especially males, rated their
       knowledge about sexual matters as high or adequate. Support for sex
       education was strong, especially among females, and respondents
       generally saw sex education as improving sexual pleasure. Most
       information sources about sexual activity were either not considered
       very credible, or not adequately accessible. CONCLUSIONS: Substantial
       reported rates of sexual abuse, sexual experience and much
       misinformation and unwarranted attitudes toward condoms, safer sexual
       practices and HIV/AIDS suggest the need for vigorous sex education
       programs for Russian youth. The early and sustained education of girls
       is especially important. Sex education should be introduced at an early
       age so that children can be taught how to reduce the risks of sexual
       abuse, HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases, and to
       improve their sexual experiences as responsible adults.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*PREVENTION & CONTROL/  TRANSMISSION
       Adolescence  Adult  Condoms  Cross-Sectional Studies  *Developing
       Countries  Female  Human  *Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice  Male  Russia
       *Sex Behavior  Sex Education  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  Support, U.S.
       Gov't, P.H.S.  *Urban Population  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).