Sex education is taught in Greece

Editor - I am writing in response to Brennans news story on teenage pregnancies in Britain and Dowmans letter in which she says that biblical teaching may be more effective than free condoms.¹ I am a medical student in Greece, and my personal experience of teaching sex education dates back to 1998, when I was first introduced to an intervention project providing health education to secondary schools. The project is organised by HelMSIC, the Greek member of the International Federation of Medical Students Association (IFMSA), and it deals with sexually transmitted infections and healthy sexual behaviour.

Initially, medical students are briefed about what they have to teach young pupils in high schools, and then they are divided into small groups to conduct studies about, for example, contraception, hygiene, termination of pregnancy, AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, anatomy of the genital system, hepatitis, and so on.

The next step is visiting the high schools, where we debate topics with small groups of pupils of the same sex. The high school pupils fill in questionnaires to determine the level of their knowledge before and after their conversation with the students. The questionnaires are analysed statistically.

In the sessions, there are groups of pupils who are willing to share their secrets, whereas others are more hostile or shy. There are no taboo topics, and everything depends on them and their willingness to participate. The shy or hesitant students are encouraged to express themselves.

At all stages of the project, there are many things to learn. Not only details about the anatomy of the human genital system or epidemiological facts, but ways to intervene effectively. Right from the beginning, every step is made after thinking and planning, about the methods, the needs, and the results.

Our main target is to make teenagers aware of the problem and solutions of sexually transmitted diseases in Greece by providing them with all the information required about a healthy sexual life. At the same time, the project helps medical students to understand public health interventions and social medicine.

1. Brennan K. Britain is worst in Europe for teenage pregnancy rates. studentBMJ 2002;10:223. (July.)
2. Dowman, J. Biblical teaching may be more effective than free condoms. studentBMJ 2002;10:295. (August.)