SEXUAL KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, FEARS AND BEHAVIORS OF ADOLESCENTS IN FINLAND (THE KISS STUDY)

In 1986 and 1988, a structured questionnaire on sexual knowledge, atti tudes, fears and behaviors was administered to 13, 15 and 17 year olds in Finnish public schools; 5289 (88% response rate) responses were re corded. With the exception of a few small differences in attitudes, no significant regional differences were recorded-suggesting that the re sults are representative of all Finnish adolescents. Except for 13 yea r olds, knowledge level was satisfactory. With increasing age, most at titudes showed increasing tolerance towards sexual matters and liberal ism. Although several fears increased, AIDS was not perceived as an ex ceptionally great personal danger. By comparison with data from survey s 20 years previously, the age of first experience of sexual intercour se was lower-especially among women. About a third of the adolescents surveyed used no birth control and about 60% used a condom. Implicatio ns for educational policy and planning are discussed.