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Sexual activity among 8th graders is on the increase, according to the 2010 ZAP 8th Grade Survey. The ZAP (Zero Adolescent Pregnancy) survey, administered by the Cortland County Health Department’s Jacobus Center for Reproductive Health every 2 years since 1996, provides data about students’ beliefs, attitudes and activities related to sexuality issues. The 2010 survey, administered in all Cortland County Schools in February, revealed that 16% of area 8th graders said they’ve had sexual intercourse. This is up from 12% in 2008. The ZAP survey also showed a 7% increase in marijuana use and a 4% increase in alcohol use from 2008. The Cortland Area Communities That Care (CACTC) coalition also surveys area youth as a means of assessing the risk and protective factors for them. The 2009 Communities That Care (CTC) survey, administered to 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th graders in all Cortland County school districts in October 2009, also revealed increased use of marijuana (14% increase) by 8th graders. Alcohol and drug use are shown to influence teens in their decisions regarding sexual activity. The fall 2009 CTC survey and the spring 2010 ZAP survey were administered to the same class of 8th graders. Friends and parents each have a substantial influence on teen’s decision to have sex, according to ZAP survey results. When teens felt their friends would “disapprove” if they had sex, only 7% had sex. When they felt the friends “wouldn’t care” or would “approve”, 36% reported having sex. If the teen thought their mother would be “very upset”, only 7% had sexual intercourse. If they thought their mother would be “pretty upset” to “wouldn’t care”, 44% reported having sex. The findings were similar in relation to fathers. Fifteen percent of ZAP survey respondents reported having oral sex (compared to 12% in 2008), and 18% said they’d engaged in consenting sexual activity with someone who is not their boyfriend/girlfriend, commonly known as Friends with Benefits. When asked if parents talk with them about the risks of being sexually active, 38% said it was “very true” and 24% said “mostly true”. The remaining 38% indicated “somewhat true” or “not true at all”. Why are the students asked these questions? What is done with the information? In order to decrease risks and increase protective factors for youth, it’s important to know their attitudes and beliefs, how they perceive their parents’ and friends’ values and what activities they are engaging in. When this information is gathered, it becomes more evident what is needed in terms of education for the teens and for parents. It’s important to let the kids know that it isn’t true that “everyone is doing it”. It's important for parents to know they need to give clear messages to their teens, and that they do influence the teens’ decisions. The Jacobus Center Health Educator, Mary Dykeman, finds the data from the survey is valuable in developing or modifying educational programs for youth. Her programs are in high demand in area schools and agencies. Equipped with knowledge of trends of teens' behavior and beliefs, the Jacobus Center clinic staff can better help the teens when they come for reproductive health services. For more information on the ZAP survey results or programs available for youth and parents, please call 753-5026. Elaine Lambert is the director of the Jacobus Center for Reproductive Health In Cortland
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