Early sexual debut in Norwegian youth with epilepsy: A population-based study

Abstract Objectives In comparison with controls, youth with epilepsy (YWE) have greater psychosocial problems. However, information about their sexual behavior is sparse. We have performed a large, population-based questionnaire study to examine differences in sexual behavior between YWE and control...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Epilepsy & behavior 2016-03, Vol.56, p.1-4
Main Authors: Lossius, Morten I, Alfstad, Kristin Å, Van Roy, Betty, Mowinckel, Petter, Clench-Aas, Jocelyne, Gjerstad, Leif, Nakken, Karl O
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Cohort Studies
Contraceptive Agents
Epilepsy
Epilepsy - epidemiology
Epilepsy - psychology
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Male
Neurology
Norway - epidemiology
Population-based
Pregnancy
Pregnancy, Unwanted
Prevalence
Psychosocial
Risk Factors
Sexual Behavior
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult
Youth
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Summary:Abstract Objectives In comparison with controls, youth with epilepsy (YWE) have greater psychosocial problems. However, information about their sexual behavior is sparse. We have performed a large, population-based questionnaire study to examine differences in sexual behavior between YWE and controls. Methods A randomly chosen cohort of youth (13–19 years) from Akershus county, Norway (n = 19,995) was asked to complete a questionnaire anonymously with questions on epilepsy and sexual activity. Results The response rate was 85%. Two hundred forty-seven participants reported having or having had epilepsy, i.e., a lifetime epilepsy prevalence of 1.2%. Compared with controls, a higher proportion of YWE reported having had sexual intercourse (43.6% vs. 35.3%, p = 0.009). The mean age at sexual debut was significantly lower in YWE than in controls (14.0 years vs. 15.0 years, p < 0.001), and this was particularly marked among boys. A higher proportion of YWE reported not having used contraceptives at their last sexual intercourse compared with controls (31.6% vs. 22.3%, p = 0.03). Ten percent of YWE, compared with 2% of the controls, reported that they had been forced into their first sexual intercourse. Conclusion In YWE, some aspects of sexual behavior differ from those of their peers, with earlier sexual debut and less frequent use of contraceptives. More attention should be directed toward this subject, aiming at avoiding unwanted pregnancies and potential emotional traumas in this already vulnerable patient group.
ISSN:1525-5050
1525-5069
DOI:10.1016/j.yebeh.2015.12.014