P-78: Contraception and sexual education: issues and practices among diabetic youth in the CDiC program in Guinea
m c diallo, A M Diallo, K Dieng, J S Bangoura, A KakeAbstract
Introduction
Adolescent girls face numerous risks related to sexuality, early marriage, and early pregnancies. However, these consequences can be mitigated through access to sexual education and contraception.
Objectives
This study aimed to collect information on pregnancy and sexual education among diabetic youth enrolled in the CDiC program in Guinea
Methods
A cross-sectional study conducted at the CDiC Guinea program over three months. Diabetic youth and adolescents who consented to participate in the study were interviewed about contraception and sexual education. Parents were also separately interviewed to identify barriers to sexual education for youth
Results
256 diabetic youth aged 18.28 ± 2.93 [13-25]. 48% of the youth had had at least one sexual relationship, and 41% of these were unprotected. 27.3% of the girls had experienced at least one pregnancy, and 6.5% of the boys had fathered a child. 41.5% of the girls had no knowledge of contraceptive methods, compared to 24.3% of the boys. 48.8% had no knowledge of the risks associated with sexual relations, and among those who had received sexual education, 42.6% had learned it from their peers. Of the 68 girls who reported receiving sexual education, 24 (35.3%) had experienced pregnancy compared to 12 (18.8%) who had not received sexual education. 57.4% of parents did not address sexual education with their children, and among them, 89.1% did not wish to provide their opinion on the barriers to such education
Conclusions
Sexual education and contraception are insufficiently addressed among young people and adolescents.