Background: Sexual and reproductive rights include access to accurate and appropriate information in order to make informed decisions. In the current age of media globalization and Internet, adolescents are exposed to information about sexual health and sexuality from a myriad of sources.
The objective of this study was to explore sources of information and adolescent learning about sexual health and sexuality in Santiago, Chile. Methods: Data collection included four focus group discussions with a total of 24 adolescents years old, 20 semi-structured interviews with adolescents years old, and seven interviews with key informants working with adolescents.
Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. Results: The primary sources of sexual health and sexuality information were parents, teachers and friends, whilst secondary sources included health professionals for females and Internet for males.
Information provided by the trusted sources of parents, teachers and health professionals tended to focus on biological aspects of sexuality, particularly pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Limited emphasis was placed on topics such as love, attraction, pleasure, relationships, abstinence and sexual violence. Information focused primarily on heterosexual relations and reproduction. Adolescents learnt about relationships and sexual acts through friends, partners and, for many males, pornography.
Findings indicate a lack of available information on partner communication, setting personal limits, and contraception, including morally neutral and medically correct information about emergency contraception. Conclusions: This study highlights numerous gaps between adolescent information needs and information provided by parents, teachers and health professionals.
