20% of German teens think tampons are a form of contraception
 

Researchers say one in five young German teenagers believes tampons are a form of contraception.

Eight per cent did not know how the pill was taken, many thinking it was swallowed monthly, others believing it worked if taken just before sex.

Researchers believe the problem lies with teenagers not being confident in asking professionals for sexual advice.

Only 15% of those asked said they would ask their doctor for advice, the rest relied mainly on their mums or peers. Overall the girls were much better informed about contraception than the boys.

More than 500 youngsters aged 12 to 16 were questioned about their sexual knowledge in the study by the Munich Institute for Youth Research.

Oh. My. God.
Please tell me the word for condom in German is similar to the word for tampon!!

That's pitiful.I sure hope this isn't a sign ok a worldwide spread of a new morality.Deja-vu,kinda reminds me of the way things were in 60's.

While the lack of education is indeed frightening, am I the only one who finds the targeted age group somewhat... young??

http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/datawh/statab/pubd/2319_23.htm

This site has some data on the break down of sexual activity (by age and race) of teen girls.

dannyk~ 12-16 year olds should know enough to know about contraception...... some where I read that if a teen age girl has unprotected sex for one year at the typical teen rate she has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant.

Found this info as well .... does not speak to a particular age but breakdown by nationality

12 to 16 year olds should know AT LEAST about contraception. Stop and think about the number of 11-12 year old girls that you hear about that are having babies. It's appalling to think that these young teens know so little and yet, no one seems to think they should be taught more.

Seems to be no real german prob.
But still a sign that there has to be done something about it.