OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the current sexual awareness, values, and knowledge of contraception. age of first sexual intercourse, sources of information, and view on population issues among regular 4th year high school students and correlate the results with the school's integrated Sex education/Population Education module.

BACKGROUND: The Population Education (PopEd) module was developed in the early 1970's to promote family planning and the topics have been integrated in social studies, math, science, home economics, and health. The main PopEd subject is taught under Music, Arts, Physical Education. and Health (MAPEH). However, despite these efforts, there is still increasing incidence of unwanted and early pregnancies, HIV/AIDS infection, and other sexually transmitted diseases.

METHODS: A questionnaire survey was given to 133 female and 96 male high school students ages 15-17 years old in a Makati public school. The answer per question were tailed and presented in percentages. An interview with the Music, Arts, Physical Education and Health (MAPEH) teachers was also conducted.

RESULTS: The top source of information about birth control is the school and about half of the students 42% (F) 56% (M) claim to recall the lessons learned. Although 75% of the subjects claim that the teachers mentioned the failure rate and possible adverse effects of artificial birth control, much of the details were left for them to research on. The most common reason cited for sexual contact among the females was being carried away by emotion (60%) while among the males it was mostly out of curiosity (39%). Majority of the students are abstinent 92% (F). 87% (M) and 90% were told by their parents that marriage is important before sexual intimacy.

Sex Ed ; Poped ; Family Planning ; Contraception ; Abstinence