|
Sexual relations and the need for information among
young people: Colombia.
|
|
|
|
|
| Article Type: | Brief article |
| Subject: |
Teenagers
(Sexual behavior) Teenagers (Surveys) |
| Pub Date: | 11/01/2009 |
| Publication: | Name: Reproductive Health Matters Publisher: Reproductive Health Matters Audience: General Format: Magazine/Journal Subject: Family and marriage; Health; Women's issues/gender studies Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2009 Reproductive Health Matters ISSN: 0968-8080 |
| Issue: | Date: Nov, 2009 Source Volume: 17 Source Issue: 34 |
| Topic: | Canadian Subject Form: Teenage sexual behaviour |
| Geographic: | Geographic Scope: Colombia Geographic Code: 3COLO Colombia |
|
|
|
| Accession Number: | 225074449 |
| Full Text: |
A survey of the sexual behaviour of 3,000 young people aged 12-20
in Bogota, Colombia, found that they are making autonomous decisions
regarding their sexual lives. The main reasons for their first sexual
relations were "love" (40.7%) and "desire" (30.1%).
Few mentioned "boy/ girlfriend's pressure" (1.4%), or
"friend's pressure" (0.8%). 61.7% had their first sexual
relations with their girl/boy friend and 20.5% with a friend. 76% of
young men and 66% of young women had already had sexual relations. The
ideal starting age according to the majority was between 15 and 18. A
minority (7.5% of young men and 4.5% of young women) considered the
ideal age was between 10 and 14, a belief that could signal an increased
number of pregnancies at these ages. Reasons for not yet starting their
sex lives included "prefer to become adult first" (27%),
"not ready for sexual relations" (22.5%), and "do not
want to risk pregnancy" (23% of men and 19% of women). Religious or
cultural codes did not play an important role--just 3.8% stated as their
principal reason that their values and beliefs did not allow them to.
However, young people were confused about the function of contraception,
with 66.5% answering yes as to whether a contraceptive method can
prevent a sexual transmitted disease. Only 35% knew what sexual and
reproductive rights were, and less than 11% expressed interest in such
rights. HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy were the
topics of most interest for them. The findings highlight the need to
disseminate clearer messages about contraception, sexual and
reproductive rights, affection and sexual diversity, all of which were
of little interest to the young people surveyed. (1) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (1.) Castellanos A. Survey smdies sexual health of Bogota's young people. RH Reality Check, 11 February 2009. |
| Gale Copyright: | Copyright 2009 Gale, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved. |
Previous Article: Abortion and mental health: evidence from the United
States.
Next Article: Young Iranians delaying marriage.
Next Article: Young Iranians delaying marriage.