Diagnosis of knowledge on sexuality among adolescents

Objectives: To diagnose adolescents' knowledge of sexuality for posterior implementation of a specific and targeted intervention program. Methods: This was a quantitative-based cross-sectional (observational/descriptive) study including a population of 250 students enrolled in year ten of secondary education. A questionnaire for sociodemographic characterization was applied along with the Questionnaire on Sexuality Knowledge (QCS), which consisted of 25 questions in a dichotomous (true/false) answer scale separated into six dimensions. Results: The convenience sample of 136 teenagers aged between 14 and 19 years. The majority of participants were men (54.4%). Mean knowledge was 18.6 (DP = 2.71); areas where adolescents showed the least knowledge are the following: "first sexual relation and sexual concerns"; "pregnancy prevention"; e "counseling and care in sexual and reproductive health". The only significant difference between dimensions was for "pregnancy prevention" (girls show higher knowledge). Factors positively impacting adolescents' knowledge are the parents' formal education level (higher education, especially for mothers) and one of the parents be a healthcare provider. Conclusion: The need to develop an intervention program targeting the reality of schools was identified, based on the areas of "first sexual relation and sexual concerns"; "pregnancy prevention"; and "counseling and care in sexual and reproductive health". The program should target gender differences and, especially, considering boys.