A method for determining rates of sexual activity in schoolchildren

This report details a novel methodology for determining rates of sexual activity in schoolchildren. The method has been found to be acceptable to schools, parents and students, it receives a high level of co-operation, a low (1%) parental withdrawal, and a low number (3%) of inadequate responses. A marked advantage of this method is the absence of direct questioning about first intercourse which is often considered inappropriate within schools. Validation conducted by interview at the time of the questionnaire and one year postal questionnaire follow-up indicates that this method gives a good estimate of sexual activity for school populations.