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[The Adolescent Sexuality Hot-line--a 4-year study]
C L Graugaard1, A G Andersen, B J Nielsen
1Foreningen Sex og Samfund, Hellerup.
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|September 30, 1996
Summary
Denmark's first Adolescent Sexuality Hot-Line provided anonymous counseling to teens. Over four years, older callers and longer calls indicated an unmet need for sexual health support beyond the target age group.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Sexology
Context:
- The establishment of the first Adolescent Sexuality Hot-Line in Denmark in January 1992.
- The service offered anonymous, professional telephone counseling specifically for teenagers.
- Initial four-year data revealed significant usage patterns.
Purpose:
- To provide accessible and anonymous sexual health information and counseling to adolescents.
- To analyze the utilization and caller demographics of the newly established hot-line.
- To identify emerging trends and needs in adolescent sexual health counseling.
Summary:
- A total of 6174 individuals contacted the hot-line within its first four years, with a demographic split of approximately 60% boys and 40% girls.
- The primary call categories included "basic information" (22.8%), "sexual problems" (21.5%), "contraception" (11.3%), and "pregnancy" (9.1%).
- A notable trend observed was the increasing age of callers, particularly boys, and a significant increase in call duration over the study period.
Impact:
- The findings suggest a growing demand for sexual health counseling among older adolescents and young adults, potentially exceeding the initial target demographic.
- The study highlights a potential gap in existing sexological counseling services for a mature population in Denmark.
- This indicates a need to reassess and potentially expand sexual health support services to accommodate a broader age range.