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Vol. 56 No. 4 (2020)
Monographic Section
2020-12-28
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Sexual behaviour in 15-year-old adolescents: insights into the role of family, peer, teacher, and classmate support.

Authors

Alberto Borraccino , Giuseppina Lo Moro , Paola Dalmasso , Paola Nardone , Serena Donati , Paola Berchialla , Lorena Charrier , Michela Lenzi , Angela Spinelli , Patrizia Lemma , 2018 HBSC-Italia Group

Keywords: Adolescent Health, Sexual Health, Sexual Behaviour, Social environment

Abstract

Objective. The aim was to investigate the role of different forms of social support in early
sexual intercourse and contraceptive use.
Materials and methods. The study sample included 18,918 15-year-olds who took part
in the 2018 Italian Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study. Multivariable multilevel
logistic regressions were performed taking into account geographical region and
socioeconomic status.
Results. 21.7% of adolescents reported early sexual intercourse. 71.9% used a condom
at last sexual intercourse, 12.2% oral contraceptives 41.2% other contraceptive methods
(multiple response question). High support from family and from teachers were associated
with a lower likelihood of early sexual intercourse in both genders, while peer
support was shown to increase this likelihood among boys. Adolescents with high social
support were more likely to use condoms.
Conclusions. Social support can have a positive influence on adolescents’ sexual behaviour.
Sexual education programmes should aim to engage peers and those significant
adults who can influence adolescents’ lives, in and out of school.

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Authors

Alberto Borraccino

Giuseppina Lo Moro

Paola Dalmasso - Dipartimento di Scienze della Sanità Pubblica e Pediatriche, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino

Paola Nardone - Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma

Serena Donati - Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma

Paola Berchialla - Dipartimento di Scienze Cliniche e Biologiche, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino

Lorena Charrier - Dipartimento di Scienze della Sanità Pubblica e Pediatriche, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino

Michela Lenzi - Dipartimento di Psicologia dello Sviluppo e della Socializzazione, Università di Padova, Padova

Angela Spinelli - Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma

Patrizia Lemma - Dipartimento di Scienze della Sanità Pubblica e Pediatriche, Università degli Studi di Torino, Torino

2018 HBSC-Italia Group

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How to Cite
Borraccino, A. ., Lo Moro, G., Dalmasso, P., Nardone, P., Donati, S., Berchialla, P., Charrier, L., Lenzi, M., Spinelli, A., Lemma, P., & 2018 HBSC-Italia Group. (2020). Sexual behaviour in 15-year-old adolescents: insights into the role of family, peer, teacher, and classmate support. Annali dell’Istituto Superiore Di Sanità, 56(4), 522–530. Retrieved from https://annali.iss.it/index.php/anna/article/view/1136
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