Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40993558›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2025

Exploring contraceptive knowledge and sexual behavior among high school students in a middle-income country: a cross-sectional study in Tunisia.

Dhekra Toumi, Chayma Cheikh Mohamed, Wafa Dhouib, Imen Ghaddab, Ines Zouari, Malak Medemagh, Khaoula Ben Mohamed, Ichrak Belghaieb, Imen Ben Farhat, Olfa Zoukar and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Dhekra ToumiDepartment of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
Chayma Cheikh MohamedDepartment of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia. chayma.cheikhmohamed@gmail.com.
Wafa DhouibDepartment of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
Imen GhaddabDepartment of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
Ines ZouariDepartment of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
Malak MedemaghDepartment of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
Khaoula Ben MohamedDepartment of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
Ichrak BelghaiebDepartment of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
Imen Ben FarhatDepartment of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
Olfa ZoukarDepartment of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
Haifa BergaouiDepartment of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.
Raja FalehDepartment of Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine of Monastir, University of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn today's post-revolution era, with demographic, cultural, and social changes, Tunisian society is witnessing several transformations: There's a rise in young single mothers and early sexual activity. A quarter of the population comprises young Tunisians who struggle with limited access to education and healthcare. Only 19.1% know how to prevent Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs), and 16% lack access to contraception. This insufficient sexual health knowledge exposes them to risks such as STDs, unintended teenage pregnancies, unsafe abortions, infertility, and even death. This study aims to assess young Tunisians' understanding of contraception, sexual behavior, information-seeking methods, and STD prevention.

methodsA cross-sectional survey involving 100 high school students aged 15-18 was conducted from February to March 2022. It gathered information on their knowledge of contraceptives, sexual health, experiences, and access to services and products. The survey used hard-copy questionnaires. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) software, version 26.0 IBM.

resultsA total of 100 participants were included, with a sex ratio of 0.92. most of them (35%) were 18 years old. Results showed that the majority (86%) of the students confirmed that they had not received any courses on contraception. Most students, 84%, said they obtained information about contraceptive methods from websites, while 63% mentioned friends as their source. The majority of participants, 62%, reported not using contraception, while 15% had used methods like condoms or withdrawal before. Both genders were mostly aware of the pill (89%) and male condom (85%) as common contraceptive methods. Over two-thirds of the participants stated that the male condom was the contraceptive method effective in preventing STD.

conclusionThe majority of the adolescents displayed misconceptions regarding contraceptive methods and the prevention of STDs. The use of these methods remains significantly restricted. This study emphasizes the importance of increasing awareness of sexual health among adolescents. It recommends establishing accessible centers offering comprehensive services and guidance on contraception, sexuality, and pregnancy planning.

Indexed as

ContraceptionContraception BehaviorHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeSexual BehaviorStudentsAdolescentCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansMaleSexually Transmitted DiseasesSurveys and QuestionnairesTunisiaAdolescentContraceptionSexual healthSexually Transmitted DiseasesSource of informationTunisia

Identifiers

PMID40993558
PMCPMC12462256

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.