Teenagers’ knowledge of human sexuality and their views on teenage pregnancies

There is concern about poor knowledge of human sexuality and a high rate of teenage pregnancies among Blacks. The primary aim of the study was to measure the knowledge that teenagers have on human sexuality and to identify the sources from which they obtain such knowledge. The secondary aim was to detect how teenagers perceive the teenage pregnancy problem and its consequences. A descriptive study was undertaken. Questionnaires were handed out and collected from 210 teenagers in two Senior Secondary Schools at a Black township near Empangeni. The study revealed that teenagers have reasonable knowledge about the anatomy and development of the reproductive organs at puberty but lacked sex counselling which resulted in their failure to understand the implications of sexual behaviour. The levels of knowledge an utilisation of the Youth Health Services was found to be low. The study also revealed a high level of awareness of the negative consequences of teenage pregnancies. The teenagers had numerous suggestions to make for the prevention of teenage pregnancies.