Communication between adolescents and physicians about sexual behavior and risk prevention

Area of Science:

• Adolescent Health
• Sexual Health Education
• Physician-Patient Communication

Background:

• Professional medical organizations recommend physicians discuss sexual matters and risk prevention with adolescents.
• Current discussions between adolescents and physicians regarding sexual behavior and risk prevention are not well-documented.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the extent of discussions between adolescents and physicians about sexual behavior and risk prevention.
• To examine adolescent value of these discussions and trust in physician confidentiality.

Main Methods:

• A self-administered anonymous survey was conducted in an urban California school district.
• 2026 students in 9th to 12th grade participated, representing 98% of eligible students present.

Main Results:

• Only 39% of adolescents discussed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) prevention, and 37% discussed condom use with physicians.
• Most adolescents (80-90%) find discussions about sexual matters helpful, and a majority trust physicians with confidentiality regarding sexual activity and contraception.
• Trust in physicians to maintain confidentiality about sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy was lower (44%), increasing slightly to 54% when adolescents knew about state confidentiality laws.

Conclusions:

• Most adolescents do not receive recommended sexual health discussions from physicians.
• Physicians should be more proactive in addressing sexual health topics with adolescent patients.
• Adolescent trust in physician confidentiality is high for general sexual activity but lower for sensitive issues like STDs and pregnancy.