Lilith
09-28-2002, 06:57 PM
Researchers say one in five young German teenagers believes tampons are a form of contraception.
Eight per cent did not know how the pill was taken, many thinking it was swallowed monthly, others believing it worked if taken just before sex.
Researchers believe the problem lies with teenagers not being confident in asking professionals for sexual advice.
Only 15% of those asked said they would ask their doctor for advice, the rest relied mainly on their mums or peers. Overall the girls were much better informed about contraception than the boys.
More than 500 youngsters aged 12 to 16 were questioned about their sexual knowledge in the study by the Munich Institute for Youth Research.
Eight per cent did not know how the pill was taken, many thinking it was swallowed monthly, others believing it worked if taken just before sex.
Researchers believe the problem lies with teenagers not being confident in asking professionals for sexual advice.
Only 15% of those asked said they would ask their doctor for advice, the rest relied mainly on their mums or peers. Overall the girls were much better informed about contraception than the boys.
More than 500 youngsters aged 12 to 16 were questioned about their sexual knowledge in the study by the Munich Institute for Youth Research.