NEW YORK, Oct 18 (Reuters Health) -- Students lack knowledge about pregnancy prevention and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and they want to know where to get such information, according to results of a Kaiser Family Foundation survey conducted among public high school students in grades 9 through 12.
The survey found that:
-- 36% of sexually active teens, and 43% of teens overall do not know that birth control pills can be obtained without parental consent;
-- 13% of sexually active teens and 22% of other students do not know that condoms can be purchased without parental consent;
-- 21% are unaware that family planning services are available for people under the age of 18;
-- 47% are unaware that having an STD increases their risk of acquiring HIV;
-- and 52% of high school girls do not know that emergency contraceptive pills are taken after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.
The Kaiser researchers found that students expressed the need for more information about birth control (42%), HIV/AIDS (47%), what to do if they or a friend is sexually assaulted (54%), how to get tested for HIV and other STDs (51%), where to get contraception (40%), and how to use condoms (30%).
The survey also showed that 86% of students know that STDs can be asymptomatic (show no symptoms) and 87% are aware that routine STD testing is recommended for those who are sexually active. But most of those who are sexually active do not consider themselves at risk, even though an estimated 25% of this age group will be infected this year.
