Sexual behavior between Greek adolescents
E. Deligeoroglou, P. Christopoulos, M. Eleftheriadis, A. Deliveliotou,
G. Creatsas
Division of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, 2nd Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, Athens,
Greece
Introduction: In developed countries, 7.5% – 10% of adolescent women
get pregnant, while half of these cases end in technical abortion with all
possible complications. These pregnancies are characterized by increased
perinatal and maternal mortality due to frequent obstetric complications and
must be treated as high-risk pregnancies. The reported age of menarche has
declined in our days, with a mean age of 12.5 years old when 150 years ago the
mean age was around 17.5 years old.
Material and methods: We conducted a survey, regarding sexual behavior,
age at first intercourse and contraceptive methods during adolescence
Results: Our study had made clear that approximately 30 % of teenagers
aged between 16 and 18 years old are sexually active. At the time of their first
sexual intercourse, 5,0% aged between 12–14 years old, 4,2% between 14–16
years old and approximately 20% aged between 16–18 years old. Despite all the
initiatives on educational programs concerning sexuality and contraceptive
issues, a large percentage of adolescents uses none (30%) or ineffective
contraceptive methods such as withdrawal (30%).
Conclusions: It is noted that teenagers are sexually active in younger
ages and demonstrate lower compliance to contraceptive methods. The fact that
most of these unintended pregnancies are out-of-wedlock pregnancies of low
financial status, imply the necessity for specialized youth sexual,
health-counseling programs and extended follow up in adequate adolescent
gynecological, well-organized clinics, for the support of teen mothers.
