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Item Adolescent sexual practices and contraceptive usage(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya & Plan International, 2008) Herath, H.M.R.P.; Dissanayake, D.M.A.B.; Hilmi, M.A.M.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Wijesinghe, P.S.INTRODUCTION: Adolescence is a critical period of development, as adoption of unhealthy risk behaviours such as unprotected sex, smoking and drug abuse, avoiding contraceptive methods will lead to long standing health and socioeconomic consequences. Therefore information is needed about the sexual practices and contraceptive usage of adolescents and young adults to develop interventions in the community. This study was undertaken to describe and compare the sexual practices, knowledge and usage of contraceptives by adolescents and young adults in selected urban and rural settings.METHOD: This cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among young adults aged less than 21 years at the time of interview in three settings in both rural and urban areas. The study subjects were students from universities, technical colleges and garment factory workers representing both rural and urban areas. The data was collected using a pretested self administered questionnaire during June 2007 to August 2007. Information collected included marital status, gender and the level of education, first sexual relationship (age, partner, contraception used), current contraceptive practices and knowledge about contraceptive methods. The data was analysed using SPSS 10.1 statistical package. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. RESULTS : There were a total of 1258 subjects who had returned the completed questionnaires. Out of them there were 290 garment factory employees, 480 technical college students, and 488 university students. The percentage of females was 58.9%. The mean ages of the males and the females of the total population were 20.75(50 1.13) years and 20.55(SD 1.63) and it was similar in the three settings. The level of education was highest among the undergraduates lowest among garment factory workers. Out of the population 303 (24.1%) were sexually active. It was significantly higher among males {33.5%0 than females (17.0%). Both among male and females this trend was significantly more common among garment factory workers. Sexual activity of the unmarried and the premarital sexual practices of married subjects are shown in the table. 6. 17% of females and 33.5% of males were sexually active before marriage. 90% male garment factory workers were sexually active. In contrast the proportionItem A study on adolescent sexual & violent behaviour, drugs & alcohol abuse and its relationship to the past experiences(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya & Plan International, 2008) Mettananda, D.S.G.; de Silva, D.G.H.; Jayasinghe, Y.C.; Waduge, T.R.W.; Pathmeswaran, A.; Abeysinghe, A.P.S.D.Item A comparative descriptive study on adolescents presented to Ragama and Anuradhapura Teaching Hospitals for medico-legal examination with a history of 'sexual activity'(Faculty of Medicine, University of Kelaniya & Plan International, 2008) Edirisinghe, P.A.S.; Perera, W.N.S.; Paranithran, P.; Perera, B.P.P.; Samarasekera, A.; Waidarathna, M.D.; Jayasena, A.S.INTRODUCTION: Adolescents engaged in sexual activity are brought for medico-legal examination as they are minors. Though some have consented for sexual activity, it is not legally acceptable. The perpetrators include boyfriends, relatives, known persons and strangers. The 'boyfriend' group is unique as the consent is not obtained by illegal means. OBJECTIVE: To find out potential predisposing factors that contribute to 'consensual' or 'non consensual' sexual activity of adolescents and to find out how 'consensual' and 'non consensual' sexual activity affects sexual health of adolescents. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was done using records maintained at the offices of the Judicial Medical Officers of Ragarna and Anuradhapura. The data was analyzed using SPSS statistical package. RESULTS: 202 and 154 victims examined between 2000 to 2006 at Ragama and Anuradhapura were analyzed. Male to female ratio was 1:10 in Ragama and 1:24 in Anuradhapura. The most vulnerable age group for sexual activity was 14-15 years. The majority of cases were from the low socio-economic strata. Vaginal intercourse was the most preferred sexual activity; the likelihood of an adolescent from Anuradhapura to have penetrative sex was 2.47 times more as compared to an adolescent from Ragama. Boyfriend was the assailant in 39% and 37% of cases in Ragama and Anuradhapura respectively. 63 % of victims from Ragama had eloped as compared to 19% from Anuradhapura. In both groups, nearly half of the cases had a relationship less than 6 months. An adolescent having sexual activity with a relative was 2.31 (95% CI 1.36-3.93) times greater in Anuradhapura as compared to Ragama. There were 18 and 16 pregnancies in Ragama and in Anuradapura, respectivly. 61 cases from Ragama had psychological symptoms and signs after the incident. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents are more susceptible to engage in sexual acts around 14 years. Consented sexual activity with a boy friend resulting in legal action is a significant social problem. The high incidence of sexual activity with relatives and known persons indicate the vulnerability of adolescents to engage in sexual activity in their own environments.