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Title: Alternative methods in the investigation of adolescents' sexual life.
Author: Michaud PA, Narring F, Ferron C.
Journal: J Adolesc Health; 1999 Jul; 25(1):84-90. PubMed ID: 10418890.
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To describe two methodological approaches to surveying adolescents' sexual life which were combined within a national survey. METHODS: The questionnaire was designed during a 5-day workshop. Ten adolescents played the roles of imaginary adolescents involved in different situations related to sexual life. The information obtained through the analysis of these role-plays was used to establish the sequence of the questions, their content, and wording. The questionnaire was computerized so that it could be completed by the adolescents using laptop computers. Its arborescent structure, leading each respondent from one module to another, made possible the adjustment of the questions to each respondent's stage of development and type of sexual experience. RESULTS: A total of 4283 teenagers (2075 girls and 2208 boys, and 4 refusals) 16-20 years were included. Only 7.6% did not fill in the whole questionnaire. By the age of 18 years, more than 50% of boys and girls were sexually active. Half of sexually active teenagers have discussed contraception issue before engaging in their first intercourse, but much fewer (14-35%) have discussed issues related to HIV transmission. During their first sexual intercourse, the majority of the respondents used a condom (girls, 63%; boys, 58%) or condom plus oral contraception (girls, 11%; boys, 17%). CONCLUSION: Youth participation and role-play decrease the conceptual biases often associated with professionals' perceptions and bring tools enabling a better exploration of circumstances and negotiations surrounding the sexual encounter. The computerized questionnaire increases confidentiality, attractiveness, easy data collection, and, above all, adjustment of the questions to the respondent's level of experience. These methods could be more systematically used in surveys targeting sensitive issues related to adolescents' health. This is a study, conducted among 4283 teenagers aged 16-20 years, describing two methodological approaches in surveying adolescents' sexual life, which were combined within a national survey. A computerized questionnaire was used. The sequence, contents, and wordings of the questions were based on the analysis of role-playing by 10 adolescents in a 5-day workshop. The tree-like structure of the questionnaire led each respondent from one module to another as questions were adjusted according to respondent's stage of development and type of sexual experiences. 2075 of the respondents were girls; 2208 were boys. 7.6% did not finish the questionnaire due to its length. It was found that by age 18 more than 50% of the sample were sexually active. Half of this segment discussed contraception before engaging in their first act of sexual intercourse, and a majority of them used condoms. However, only 14-35% discussed issues concerning HIV transmission. The participation of young people in the design of the questionnaire produced an enormous amount of usable information and increased the acceptability of the survey to the respondents. Moreover, it reduced the influence of professionals' perceptions, which tends to bias the concept of the survey as well as the sequence and wording of the questions. Role-playing produced more creative and spontaneous materials for the survey. This kind questionnaire is advantageous as a general model. Firstly, it strengthens the feeling of confidentiality; secondly, the focus group and role-playing approach in association with computerization favors a qualitative, flexible, and contextual approach to adolescents' sexuality.

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