RESUMO
As a result of sociological study conducted among teen-age girls--pupils of schools, technical schools and vocational schools the level of knowledge of the general facts about the relationship between sexes and methods of contraception was found. A large proportion of girls who have had sexual intercourse at this age was identified, their contraceptive culture was low. The main reasons for their reluctance to seek care at women's consultation centres were determined. The establishment of anonymous service for the teen-agers was suggested to improve the present form of gynaecological care for the teen-agers.
PIP: A questionnaire consisting of 78 items on living conditions, social- psychological climate of the family, desires, knowledge about sexuality, and access to gynecological assistance was administered to 445 adolescent girls aged 15-18. The investigation was carried out in Moscow schools. 25.8% of the subjects, mostly those attending vocational schools (39.2% vs. 12.5% of technical school students), lived in incomplete families. 58% of their mothers were employees and 37.5% were workers; the equivalent percentages for fathers were 55.4% and 33.3%, respectively. Only 26.7% of parents did not consume alcoholic drinks. Systematic use of alcohol involved 11.2% of the fathers and .7% of the mothers. 98.2% of the adolescents expressed their desire to have children in the future, .7% did not respond to this question, and 1.1% did not have such a wish. 25.8% of respondents already had experienced sexual contact: 66% at age 15-16, 20.9% at age 17, 9.6% before age 15, and only 3.5% after reaching 18 years of age. When asked their reasons for this behavior, 50.4% indicated love, 22% chance, 8.7% curiosity and sexual attraction, 7% violence, and 3.4% other reasons. 30.4% of those in sexual relationships did not use contraceptives despite fear of unwanted pregnancy. Among those who used contraception, 42.6% employed coitus interruptus, 34% used the calendar method, and 26% used condoms. 26% of the subjects had several partners, 62% had constant partners, and 12% reported occasional sexual encounters. 15% of those who were sexually active had had an abortion usually at age 17-18. 33.5 of girls who had no sexual encounters did not know about contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. 60% of the girls knew about the condom as a result of an AIDS prevention campaign, 28.7% knew about the IUD, and 10.5% were familiar with the calendar method. 70% stated that they had questions about sex and contraception that a gynecologist could answer, but only 2% consulted a physician, mainly because of not knowing how to approach the doctor (33.2%) and because of shyness (24.7%).
