Completing the picture: Adolescents talk about what's missing in sexual health services

This qualitative study was conducted to learn adolescents' opinions about s exual health services and strategies to improve their delivery. Sixteen 1.5 -hour, same-sex focus groups were conducted in one rural and one urban high school in each of two Ontario regions. In total, 83 students (49 females a nd 34 males) participated in the study. Topics were: sources and quality of sexual health information, knowledge and use of sexual health services, ge nder differences, factors that influence sexual behaviour, and suggestions for improving sexual health services. The adolescents reported that sex edu cation focussed too much on "plumbing" and was often provided by teachers w ith whom they felt uncomfortable discussing sexual issues. Peers and media were their main sources of information although they acknowledged thar thes e were not always accurate. The participants had limited knowledge of the s ervices available. Many of their comments reflected traditional gender diff erences. Peers, and for females, partners and parents influenced sexual dec isionmaking. The participants made numerous suggestions for improving sexua l health services.