Politics, sexual health policies and adolescent sexual behavior in Colombia: The case of Caldas State

Abstract

Caldas State in the heart of the main coffee region is considered one of the most conservative provinces in the Republic of Colombia. Yet paradoxically, over the last three decades it has been the place for some innovative sexuality education programs. In 2006, the Territorial Direction of Health (State Health Department) developed a sexual health policy based on two principles: The concept of “Positive Sex Education” and the need for “evidence-based” intervention programs.

In this context, a 94-item adolescence sexuality questionnaire was administrated by the Territorial Direction of Health (TDH) to high school students in all 26 municipalities of the State. The survey was answered by 645 males and 710 females (Mean age was 16.38 years old) and descriptive and multivariate statistics were used to analyze the data. Data indicated that almost all the adolescents had experienced sexual desire and at least half of them had experienced orgasm. Almost half of the girls were not virgins (47%) while the majority of the boys (67%) had had vaginal sex. The gender difference was higher regarding masturbation (males: 83% & females: 20%).

State public health officers were interviewed regarding the characteristics of the sexual health policy; representatives of the State teachers union as well as members of the State Senate were interviewed with respect to their reaction to the proposed sexual health policies and sexuality education programs. Both: teachers and politicians expressed their support of the TDH's project. In fact, the project was approved unanimously by the Caldas Assembly (State Senate).