Тhe influence of peers over adolescents' sexual conduct in Macedonia.

UNLABELLED The main objective of the study was to investigate the influence of peers on the main determinants of adolescents' sexual conduct in Macedonia, in order to identify both risk and protective factors. METHODOLOGY Data were obtained through a quantitative cross-sectional survey using a standardized paper-and-pencil self-administered questionnaire prepared for the WHO "Health Behaviour in School-aged Children" study. The study was conducted among 1226 secondary school students aged 15 and 17 (1st and 3rd year) from 10 different secondary schools in Macedonia. Peer contact frequency and peer group activities were examined as independent explanatory variables, and prevalence of sexual activity, age of onset of sexual activity, number of sexual partners and use of contraception during the first and recent sexual intercourse as dependent variables. RESULTS Peer contact frequency has shown to be a protective factor with regard to the age of onset of sexual activity and use of contraception during the first and recent sexual intercourse, a risk factor with regard to the prevalence of sexual activity, whereas it has no influence on the number of sexual partners. Peer group activities have no influence on the prevalence of sexual activity and the use of contraception, but direct 'face to face' conversation is a protective factor regarding the age of onset of sexual activity and the number of different sexual partners. Chatting over the Internet has shown to be a risk factor regarding the number of sexual partners, while 'hanging out' has no impact on the determinants of sexual conduct. CONCLUSIONS Friends may protect adolescents from risk activities and peer influence may be used in public health interventions aimed to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health.