Sexual and reproductive health: level of knowledge and source of information in adolescence.

This article examines the level of knowledge about sexual and reproductive health among Italian adolescents and evaluates the impact of a multidisciplinary school-based sexual education program. The study involved 842 high school students, revealing that social media and peers were the primary sources of sexual health information, while formal education and family played lesser roles. Initial assessments showed limited knowledge overall, with females scoring higher than males, particularly on contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). After the intervention, which included six sessions led by medical and psychosexual experts, both male and female students demonstrated a significant increase in knowledge and a reduction in the gender gap. The findings highlight the need for structured sexual education programs in Italian schools to provide reliable information and reduce risky sexual behaviors among adolescents.