An Examination of Sexual Health Information Sources, Knowledge and Behaviours Among Australian Teens: a Latent Class Analysis

Introduction Little is known about the relationship between sexual health information-seeking practices of adolescents, knowledge and behaviour. The aim of this analysis was to characterise types of sexual health information-seeking adolescents in Australia and examine the relationship between those types and sexual health outcomes. Methods The cross-sectional Australian national survey collected data in 2018. Participants (N=6,929) reported their use of sexual health information sources, sexual health knowledge (51items;alpha = 0.86), sexual activity, condom and contraceptive use and socio-demographics. Latent class analysis identified 4 unique classes. Multinomial logistic regression models estimated class outcomes for knowledge and behaviour-related measures. Results Non-seekers (13.9%) were more likely than all other classes to be younger and not yet had sex; everyday seekers (41.9%) were more likely to be older, have medium sexual health knowledge (50-79% correct answers) and used condoms and/or the pill; peer seekers (34.1%) were no more likely to have good sexual health knowledge or use condoms and/or the pill; variety seekers (10.1%) were more likely to have medium sexual health knowledge and have used the pill. Everyday and variety seekers had greater odds of better sexual health knowledge and behavioural outcomes. Conclusions Findings can provide guidance for sexual health advocates in designing targeted and effective new information campaigns that address the barriers and facilitators to sexual health information seeking. Policy Implications Policy and resultant funding can be adapted based on findings to ensure a diversity of sexual health information sources are available to young people.