Posted on May 27, 2003

Children and Youth

Although condom use among sexually active young people has increased and teen birth rates have declined over the last decade, a survey from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation shows that a significant percentage of American adolescents and young adults still face pressure to have sex and that many engage in risky sexual behavior. The survey and corresponding report, National Survey of Adolescents and Young Adults: Sexual Health Knowledge, Attitudes and Experiences, examine the knowledge of and attitudes toward sex and sexual health among young adults in three key age groups — young adolescents (ages 13-14), adolescents (ages 15-17), and young adults (ages 18-24). The results show that young people are more concerned about sexual health than any other health issue and want more information on how to use condoms, recognize the signs of sexually transmitted diseases, and get tested. Other key findings reveal that many young people have serious misperceptions about STDs and are reluctant to discuss sexual health issues with partners, family members, and health providers.