Teenage sexual health snapshots
04 Aug 2009
Four 'snapshots' of findings in the Fourth National Survey in the Sexual Health of Secondary School Students.
1) Young women’s knowledge of cervical cancer can be improved
2) Teenage oral sex increases
3) Teens turn to mothers and teachers for sex info
4) Unwanted sex- teens feeling pressured to take the plunge
1. Young women’s knowledge of cervical cancer can be improved
A new report has uncovered that Year 12 girls are confused about the
factors increasing the risk of cervical cancer, despite nearly 86% of
the same age group reported being vaccinated.
Conducted by La Trobe University’s Australian Research Centre for Sex,
Health and Society (ARCSHS), The Fourth National Survey in the Sexual
Health in Secondary School Students surveyed approximately 3,000
students from State, Catholic and Independent schools.
It is the first time researchers measured cervical cancer knowledge as
part of this study. The report rated the respondents overall knowledge
as inadequate.
However, despite the majority of young women having been vaccinated for
cervical cancer they managed to answer only 2.6 questions right out of
6.
The results for young men where even lower, scoring just under a third of questions right (1.9 out of 6).
Also concerning was only 22% of female respondents understood that
smoking could greatly increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.
Cervical cancer is listed as Australia’s 18th biggest killer, yet
remains the most preventable and curable of all cancers. Since 1991
mortality rates have halved and regular pap smears can prevent the
disease in 90% of cases, one point that increases the relevance of the
findings.
Despite a relatively good understanding of other sexually transmissible
diseases such as HIV, the lack of knowledge amongst students was not
confined to cervical cancer.
The survey found that respondents had poor knowledge of common sexually
transmissible diseases like chlamydia and gonorrhoea, with 46% unaware
that chlamydia can affect both males and females.
2. Teenage oral sex increases
A survey has found that nearly a third of teenagers have had oral sex with more than three partners.
La Trobe University’s Australian Research Centre for Sex Health and
Society (ARCSHS) surveyed approximately 3000 year 10 and 12 students
from State, Catholic, and Independent schools about sex.
‘Research shows that the majority of young people do not equate having
oral sex but not intercourse as having sex with someone,’ says
Professor Anthony Smith, the principal researcher and Deputy Director
of ARCSHS.
‘And there are statistics to support the fact that many respondents who
are engaging in oral sex are not having vaginal intercourse.’
Comparable data from the 2002 study, shows that the total percentage of
respondents who had oral sex with 3 or more partners had risen to 27.7%
in 2008 up from 19.2% in 2002.
Male respondents in year 12 reported the highest rate of ‘3 or more oral sex partners’ at 51%.
The Fourth National Survey of Secondary Students and Sexual Health was last carried out in 2002.
Other key findings include one quarter of year 10 students and just
over half of year 12 students had experienced sexual intercourse, with
30% reporting having sex with more than three people in the last year.
3. Teens turn to mothers and teachers for sex info
Forget awkward family sex conversations involving the fabled ‘stork
story’- today’s teenagers are having more sex, but are not embarrassed
about asking their teachers and mothers for sex information, a new
report has found.
Conducted by La Trobe University’s Australian Research Centre for Sex,
Health and Society (ARCSHS), The Fourth National Survey in the Sexual
Health in Secondary School Students surveyed approximately 3000
students from State, Catholic and Independent schools.
A total of 88% of survey respondents had actively sought information
about sex- and ranked mothers (56%), female friends (55%) and school
education programs (49%) as the most used sources of information. The
upshot of this is that the very same report ranked year 10 and 12’s
knowledge of sexual health with an overall B+.
According to Professor Anthony Smith, the principal researcher and
Deputy Director of ARCSHS, this is a clear indication that secondary
schools are doing a good job in providing sexual health information and
that changing family dynamics are promoting open and honest discussion.
‘We live in an increasingly sexualised society and sex education in
schools is increasingly important to help young people make sense of
this. This report shows a strengthening of the role of teachers and
parents a good source of sexual health information.’
Professor Smith says the fact that teenagers have well developed ‘help
seeking skills’ is for a positive sign that teenagers are improving
their sexual health literacy. This will enable them to make safe
decisions and avoid sexually transmissible diseases.
The data show what is taught in the sexual health curriculum is having
an impact on the sexual health literacy in teenagers, and that there
is also a demand for youth-friendly health services to fill vital gaps
in service and information.’
Only 39% of students had got sexual health information from a doctor.
Professor Smith believes that on the whole sex education, is playing an
increasing role in helping teenagers live safer sexual lives
4. Unwanted sex- teens feeling pressured to take the plunge
Some teenagers are feeling pressured into having sex a new report has found.
A La Trobe University study conducted by the Australian Research Centre
for Sex Health and Society (ARCSHS) surveyed approximately 3,000 year
10 and 12 students from State, Catholic, and Independent schools.
The study reveals that 32% of respondents had experienced unwanted sex.
‘The most common reason was pressure from a partner, and the next was
being drunk,’ said Professor Anthony Smith, principal researcher and
Deputy Director of ARCSHS.
‘These findings reinforce the need for sex education to address the issues of alcohol use and sexual behaviour together.
Professor Smith says over the past six years, there has been a definite
change in the sexual behaviour of year 12 female survey respondents.
‘When we compare the current data to the data collected in 2002, it is
this cohort whose sexual behaviour has diversified most. The statistics
also show that Year 12 females are having more sexual partners and are
drinking 30% more,’ Professor Smith says.
Professor Smith says this report is a timely reminder that we live in a highly sexualised society.
‘Youth sexual culture is diversifying, and youth culture is becoming
far more complex and we need to make sure that our school programs and
health services are keeping up with the changes.’
To organise an interview with please contact:
Associate Professor, Anne Mitchell, Australian Research Centre of Sexual Health and Society.
03 9285 5124, 0412 513 665
a.mitchell@latrobe.edu.au
Professor Anthony Smith, Australian Research Centre of Sexual Health and Society.
0402 831 041
anthony.smith@latrobe.edu.au
Mikhaela Delahunty, Media & Communications Officer.
03 9479 5353
0411 268 946
m.delahunty@latrobe.edu.au
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