The Information Is Out There, But is Anyone Getting It? Adolescent Misconceptions About Sexuality Education and Reproductive Health and the Use of the Internet to Get Answers

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Abstract
Campaign For Our Children, Inc. (CFOC) of Baltimore, MD is a nonprofit organization that creates and executes a mass media campaign and associated materials to promote abstinence among 9- to 14-year-olds and their adult influencers. CFOC has an extensive Website, including a feature titled Ask the Expert, to which individuals may send anonymous inquiries. During 2 months in late 1997, more than 200 questions were received and answered. All questions pertained to sexuality or reproductive health and appeared to come primarily from teenagers and young adults. The vast majority of the questions sought information about conception and fertility, often with detailed descriptions of sexual activity. The remaining questions addressed psychosocial issues, pregnancy health, reproductive health, and research/program requests. The questions revealed an astounding and disturbing lack of understanding of human reproduction, and either lack of access to health care providers or minimal trust in them. It is especially disquieting that this lack of knowledge exists among young people who have access to the Internet and are therefore probably not largely representative of those traditionally presumed to lack access to information and health care. A review of the questions and a discussion of the misconceptions exposed by them could help to inform sexuality education professionals about what must be emphasized in order to help young people protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies and infections.

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