[Sexuality of adolescent students in Yaounde (Cameroon)]

Undesired pregnancies are a major cause of school drop out among female adolescents in Cameroun. Studies were undertaken to assess the knowledge and practices of contraceptive methods and the prevention of undesired pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Of the 670 questionnaires that were distributed in 10 class rooms of 5 randomly selected secondary schools of the city of Yaoundé. 574 students responded among whom 233 males and 341 females, aged 12 to 19 years. The responses to the questionnaire revealed that 52% of the students were sexually active, and 56% of these had their first sexual intercourse between 15 and 17 years. The use of contraceptives was reported by 41% of the sexually active students. The main contraceptive methods used were condoms (54%) and periodic abstinence (31%). Periodic abstinence, coitus interruptus report by adolescents is of questionable efficacy in the prevention of STDs, and unwanted pregnancies. The average number of sexual intercourses was 5 times during the month before the survey. The rate of undesired pregnancies was 24%. Knowledge on contraception was more from the mass media (53%), school (21%), peers (16%), than parents (9%). Education for the deculpabilisation of contraception and a better management of sexuality should be undertaken in youth associations and schools. Parents should be taught to dialogue with their children on matters related to sexuality, in order to prevent STDs, unwanted pregnancies, clandestine abortions and their psychological and medical consequences.