Knowledge and attitudes relating to condoms on the part of African high school children around Johannesburg.

Senior high school children completed a self-administered questionnaire on sexual activity, knowledge of family planning methods, condoms and use of condoms. The study highlighted some useful and interesting information though its value is limited by a poor response rate. The results suggest that at least 50% of the scholars are sexually active, but only about 20% reported sexual intercourse during the month preceding the survey. This small group reports more than 1 sexual partner and unprotected sexual intercourse in over 50% of the cases. Knowledge of condoms was poor and a number of factors relating to resistance to condoms are identified. These must be addressed by a combination of social marketing and educational strategies. The most important finding is that half of the children were still not sexually active. Education programmes therefore should support the development of safe and responsible sexual lifestyles.