Sexual and contraceptive behavior, knowledge and attitudes of
adolescents in Croatia
V Hirl-Heej, N ikanic-Dugi, J Dobravc-Poljak, ML Domljan, N
Pustiek
Children’s Hospital Zagreb – University of Zagreb Medical
School, Zagreb, Croatia
Objectives: To obtain data on sexual and contraceptive
behavior of adolescents and most common risky behavioral patterns, which could
produce unfavorable effects on the reproductive health; to establish the level
of knowledge about reproduction, familly planning, contraception, sexually
transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS and attitudes concerning reproductive and sexual
health problems. The results should serve as the basis for development of health
and sexual education programs for adolescents.
Design & Methods: The study was done on 1972 students
of both sexes, aged 15 – 19 years, classes I to IV, from 8 secondary schools
of different profiles in Zagreb, Croatia. The data were obtained by
self-administered anonymous quiestionnaire contained 64 questions, in 4
categories (demographic, behavioral, knowledge, attitudes).
Results: 25.8% of girls and 41.6% of boys, secondary
school students at the age of 15 to 19 had sexual experience. At the age of 15
very few adolescents are sexually active (6.9% of girls and 13.2% of boys), and
at the age of 19, 72.9% of girls and 76.5% of boys are sexually active. 24.0% of
sexually active adolescent girls and 39.5% of boys start with sexual relations
early, at the age of 15 and less. 23.6% of sexually active girls and 44.6% of
boys have had 3 and more lifetime sexual partners. 13.2% of sexually active
girls used no means/methods of contraception in their first sexual intercourse,
and 19.5% of them used unreliable contraceptive methods such as coitus
interruptus and natural methods. 58.8% of adolescents used condoms and only 6.6%
used oral contraceptives. The major sources of information about protection from
unplanned pregnancy and STDs are journals and TV. Knowledge about contraception
and STDs is very low. With negative attitudes toward the use of contraception,
especially the hormonal pill, the result is the risk-taking sexual behavior of
Croatian adolescents.
Conclusions: Sexually active adolescents are exposed to
risk of the unplanned pregnancy and STDs and know very little about consequences
to the reproductive health. A systematic implementation of health and sexual
education programs for adolescents concerning reproductive and sexual health is
necessary.