Outcomes from sex education are shaped not only by the knowledge and attitudes of youth but also by groups influential in young people's lives. American youth bear one of the highest rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the industrialized world. Four constituencies with important roles in communicating about STIs are youth, parents, healthcare providers and policy advocates of sex education. This paper aims to understand the attitudes held by these key groups and to ascertain common ground. Eight focus groups were conducted with: youth 15-23 years old (n = 20), parents of youth 10-19 years old (n = 18), healthcare providers (n = 17), and advocates working with national policymakers (n = 6). Participants discussed the issue of STIs in youth within both individual and societal contexts: the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of individual youth - Ignorance, Exploration, Peer Pressure, Denial, and Indifference; and the influence of segments of society that could affect decisions by youth - Sex is a taboo topic, Reluctant communication by parents, Restricted school education, Limited communication by doctors, Poor role models, and Missing information in media. Understanding the groups' common ground of individual and societal contexts may provide a foundation for more effective sex education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]; Copyright of Sex Education is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Comments on the T. R. Eng et al (see record 1999-00191-010) proposed approach to STD control that combines delivery of individually based clinical care through the private sector with population-based strategies through the public sector. Cates and Cates note 2 recommendations of Eng et al that are key to progress in STD prevention: (1) recognition by managed care of the interaction between personal health care and health of populations and (2) coordination of prevention programs for unintended pregnancy and HIV with those for other STDs. Reasons for the failure of society to progress in controlling the spread of STDs are suggested. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2009 APA, all rights reserved)