Teenagers and the risks of sexually transmitted diseases: a need for the provision of balanced information.

Teenagers may substantially underestimate their personal risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases following the promotion of information about HIV/AIDS and need to be balanced by appropriate professional interpretation to teenagers.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of teenagers' knowledge and understanding about sexually transmitted disease, conception and contraception. DESIGN: A questionnaire study. SETTING: Schools SUBJECTS: 1025 teenagers aged 15/16 years (mean 16.00). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Scores attained in response to questions about sexually transmitted disease related to the sources of information given as most helpful. RESULTS: Teenagers have an incorrect understanding of the risks of sexually transmitted diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Teenagers may substantially underestimate their personal risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases following the promotion of information about HIV/AIDS. Apparently simple messages about HIV and AIDS given in mass media advertising programmes may have unwanted results and need to be balanced by appropriate professional interpretation to teenagers.