Sexual abstinence counseling of adolescents by physicians

Attending physicians and residents at a southeastern rural teaching hospital specializing in family practice and pediatrics, as well as local family practice physicians and pediatricians, were surveyed with regard to their counseling of adolescents about sexuality, including abstinence. The physicians were asked to complete an original 67-item questionnaire describing their attitudes and practices. More than 60% of physicians reported regularly addressing the issues of HIV, STD, pregnancy prevention, and responsible sexual behaviors. About 35% of the physicians reported regularly counseling adolescents regarding 17 other issues pertaining to pregnancy and disease prevention, sexual abuse, or related medical aspects of sexuality. No respondents felt "very effective" in their counseling. Some agree they would be helped by additional training.