Male Adolescents Research Articles

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a young adolescent with unilatral palatal palsy and neck mass – A rare case report

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a young adolescent with unilatral palatal palsy and neck mass – A rare case report

A novel dance intervention program for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities: a pilot randomized control trial

BackgroundOrganized physical activity programs have been shown to provide wide benefits to participants, though there are relatively few studies examining the impact of these programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. This pilot study was conducted to determine the feasibility and impact of an undergraduate-led dance intervention program for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities. We evaluated the impact of the dance program on motor ability and social skills.MethodsThe study design was a waitlist control clinical trial in which participants were randomized to active and control groups. Eligible participants included male and female children and adolescents between the ages of 4 and 17 years with neurodevelopmental disabilities. The Motor Assessment Battery for Children Checklist and the Social Responsiveness Scale were used to assess change in motor and social skills, respectively. After gathering baseline data, the active group completed 1 h of online dance classes per week for 10 weeks, while the control group entered a 10-week waiting period. All participants then returned for a follow-up visit. Pre- and post-intervention data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects modeling adjusting for age and class attendance with subject random intercept.ResultsWe recruited and randomized 43 participants with neurodevelopmental disabilities (mean age = 8.63, SD = 2.98), of which 30 participated in dance classes. The attendance rate was 82.6% for the active group and 61.7% for the control group. The active group demonstrated a significant improvement in motor skills in an unpredictable environment, as indicated on the Motor Assessment Battery for Children Checklist (n = 21, p = 0.05). We also observed positive trends in social skills that did not reach significance.ConclusionsOur results indicate that it is feasible to develop and implement a fully digital dance intervention program for individuals with developmental disabilities. Further, we find that change in motor skills can be detected after just 10 h of low-intensity participation. However, a lack of significant change in social skills coupled with limitations in study implementation suggests further research is needed to determine the full impact of this dance program.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Protocol Registration System: Protocol ID 20-001680-AM-00005, registered 17/2/2021 – Retrospectively Registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04762290.

Gender differences in adolescents’ help-seeking behaviours and intentions for psychosocial problems in led outdoor activities

ABSTRACT Many adolescents who experience psychosocial problems do not often seek help. Help-seeking behaviours and intentions are influenced by personal, social, and structural factors, and they differ by gender. Help-seeking has not been investigated in the led outdoor activity (LOA) domain, in which thousands of adolescents participate annually. The present study investigated gender differences in adolescents’ help-seeking behaviours and intentions for psychosocial problems in LOAs. Existing data from the ‘Understanding and Preventing Led Outdoor Accidents Data System’ (UPLOADS) was analysed to investigate adolescents’ help-seeking behaviours. Additionally, data from an online survey was analysed to investigate adolescents’ help-seeking intentions. More female adolescents sought help for a psychosocial problem compared to male adolescents, but more male adolescents were observed to have experienced a psychosocial problem compared to female adolescents. There were no gender differences in help-seeking intentions. It is recommended that the LOA sector develop gender-specific strategies to encourage adolescents’ help-seeking behaviours.

Vaporized nicotine in utero results in reduced birthweight, increased locomotion, and decreased voluntary exercise, dependent on sex and diet in offspring.

Rationale Clinical research has shown that prenatal exposure to nicotine may result in increased obesity risk later in life. Preclinical research has corroborated this finding, but few studies have investigated inhaled nicotine or the interaction with diet on obesity risk. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of prenatal nicotine exposure on both direct and indirect obesity measures, with both sex and diet as factors. Methods Pregnant rats were exposed to either vehicle or nicotine vapor (24mg/mL or 59mg/mL) throughout the entire gestational period. Offspring from each treatment group were given either a normal diet or a high fat diet starting at postnatal day 22. Caloric intake, body weight, spontaneous locomotion, sleep/wake activity, and voluntary exercise were measured throughout adolescence. Pregnancy weight gain and pup birthweights were collected to further measure developmental effects of prenatal nicotine exposure. Results Both maternal weight gain during pregnancy and pup weight at birth were decreased with prenatal nicotine exposure. Early adolescent males showed increased spontaneous activity in the open field following prenatal nicotine exposure compared to vehicle counterparts, particularly those given high-fat diet. Additionally, high dose nicotine prenatal treated males ran significantly less distance on the running wheel in late adolescence compared to vehicle counterparts, in the normal diet group only. Conclusion The results presented here show decreased birthweight, hyperactivity, and decreased voluntary exercise in adolescence following prenatal nicotine exposure in dose, sex, and diet dependent manners, which could lead to increased obesity risk in adulthood.

Semen Cryopreservation in Oncofertility

Oncofertility, an interdisciplinary field, aims at improving the uality of life of cancer patients prone to iatrogenic infertility by offering fertility preservation options for a potentially fertile future. Semen cryopreservation (SC) is a well-established and effective way of preserving fertility in adolescent and young adult cancer-diagnosed males as they face potential fertility loss due to cancer and its treatments. The pathophysiology of certain cancers, such as testicular cancer or Hodgkin’s lymphoma, has been shown to have an adverse effect on semen uality. Ablative therapies like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can result in compromised sperm parameters depending on the dose and the type of the drug or radiation. Hence, it is recommended to encourage cancer-diagnosed males to store sperm prior to gonadotoxic therapy to restore potential fertility in the future. Despite the feasibility of SC, this option remains underutilised due to several limitations.

A Case of Non-Seminomatous Germ Cell Tumor Complicated by Tumor Thrombus in an Active Duty Soldier.

Testicular malignancies commonly affect adolescent and young adult males. Although they tend to respond well to cisplatin-based chemotherapy with excellent overall survival, complications such as inferior vena cava tumor thrombus are rare and can be associated with high morbidity and mortality. We present a case of tumor thrombus in a 21-year-old active duty male with a newly diagnosed stage IIIB non-seminomatous germ cell tumor presenting with extensive left lower extremity swelling. Ultrasound with Doppler was notable for significant thrombus of the left common femoral, femoral, and popliteal vein. Computed tomography imaging revealed extensive thrombus of the inferior vena cava, left iliac veins, and left gonadal vein with sparing of the left renal vein. Endovascular thrombectomy was performed with pathologic analysis confirming the presence of malignant cells consistent with tumor thrombus. The patient continued subsequent non-seminomatous germ cell tumor treatment without complications.

Stimulant medication use and apparent cortical thickness development in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a prospective longitudinal study

BackgroundStimulant medication is commonly prescribed as treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). While we previously found that short-term stimulant-treatment influences apparent cortical thickness development in an age-dependent manner, it remains unknown whether these effects persist throughout development into adulthood.PurposeInvestigate the long-term age-dependent effects of stimulant medication use on apparent cortical thickness development in adolescents and adults previously diagnosed with ADHD.MethodsThis prospective study included the baseline and 4-year follow-up assessment of the “effects of Psychotropic drugs On the Developing brain-MPH” (“ePOD-MPH”) project, conducted between June-1-2011 and December-28-2019. The analyses were pre-registered (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/32BHF). T1-weighted MR scans were obtained from male adolescents and adults, and cortical thickness was estimated for predefined regions of interest (ROIs) using Freesurfer. We determined medication use and assessed symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, and depression at both time points. Linear mixed models were constructed to assess main effects and interactions of stimulant medication use, time, and age group on regional apparent cortical thickness.ResultsA total of 32 male adolescents (aged mean ± SD, 11.2 ± 0.9 years at baseline) and 24 men (aged mean ± SD, 29.9 ± 5.0 years at baseline) were included that previously participated in the ePOD-MPH project. We found no evidence for long-term effects of stimulant medication use on ROI apparent cortical thickness. As expected, we did find age-by-time interaction effects in all ROIs (left prefrontal ROI: P=.002, right medial and posterior ROIs: P<.001), reflecting reductions in apparent cortical thickness in adolescents. Additionally, ADHD symptom severity (adolescents: P<.001, adults: P=.001) and anxiety symptoms (adolescents: P=0.03) were reduced, and more improvement of ADHD symptoms was associated with higher medication use in adults (P=0.001).ConclusionWe found no evidence for long-term effects of stimulant-treatment for ADHD on apparent cortical thickness development in adolescents and adults. The identified age-dependent differences in apparent cortical thickness development are consistent with existing literature on typical cortical development.

Symptom Checklist-90-Revised: Factor structure and relevance as a measure for the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology model

The Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology (HiTOP) is a recently proposed dimensional model of psychopathology that aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the organization of mental disorders. The Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) is a widely used self-report questionnaire that assesses nine broad dimensions of psychopathologies. The current study reexamined the optimum factor structure of the SCL-90-R (first aim), and its usefulness for the assessment of psychological dimensions from a HiTOP perspective (second aim). These were examined in a community sample of adolescents from Cyprus. A total of 839 adolescents (males = 352, females = 485; no response = 2) with ages ranging from 14 to 18 years [mean (SD) = 15.52 years (0.64 years)] completed the SCL-90-R and the Fünf-Faktoren-Fragebogen für Kinder (FFFK), a personality measure of the Five-Factor Model of personality. Relevant to the first aim, the findings showed the most support for an exploratory structural equal model, with the nine theorized SCL-90-R factors/dimensions. Relevant to the second aim, the SCL-90 dimensions of somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, and phobic anxiety were associated with the five factors in the FFFK as theoretically predicated by the HiTOP model. The SCL-90-R dimensions for paranoid ideation and psychoticism did not. The findings indicated reasonable support for the theorized nine-factor SCL-90 model; and the use of the SCL-90-R dimension scales of somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, and phobic anxiety for measuring the dimensions with similar names in the HiTOP model.

A new approach to urinalysis: effectiveness of a contingency management program among adolescent offenders in Spain

BackgroundWhen addressing antisocial behaviour among adolescents, programs based on the paradigm of positive psychology through enhancing self-efficacy have demonstrated their effectiveness in furthering the positive development of young people with a history of antisocial behaviour. Nevertheless, there has been little research into the effectiveness of these type of programs in mitigating substance abuse among juvenile offenders. The aim of this paper is to analyse the effectiveness of a contingency management program in reducing the prevalence of relapses into drug consumption among adolescents who have committed serious crimes.MethodsThe study consisted of a sample of 91 male adolescents, between 15 and 19 years, in juvenile detention, who were divided into two treatment groups. For both groups, biological testing was used to detect drug consumption upon their re-turn from leave permits from the Centre.ResultsThe quasi-experimental group had significantly lower rates of relapse than the quasi-control group. Furthermore, being part of the quasi-experimental group was a significant predictor of reduced rates of relapses.ConclusionThe results suggest that the incorporation of treatment strategies which reinforce feelings of self-efficacy and adequate orientation towards the future, as a complement to disciplinary sanctions, are effective in reducing relapses in drug use among adolescent offenders.

Screened realities: a Grounded Theory exploration of gaming disorder dynamics among Iranian male adolescents

IntroductionThe increasing prevalence of gaming Disorder (GD) among adolescents has become a global concern. Despite the rising number of studies investigating GD, the cultural and socio-economic factors influencing GD with a qualitative approach are scarce. This study aims to explore the underlying factors, processes, and consequences of GD among Iranian male adolescents and contextual factors related to GD within Iran's unique socio-cultural and psychological tapestry.MethodsThe study used a qualitative design based on the Grounded Theory Method (GTM). The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 male adolescents aged 15-18 who Dignasoed according to DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using the GTM approach, which involves open, axial, and selective coding.ResultsThe study revealed nine main themes and a core category: (1) interaction seeking, (2) encounter and familiarize with games, (3) games attraction, (4) Socialization, (5) game careerism, (6) dexterity, (7) lack and compensation, (8) physical harm, territorial-cultural barrier, (9) second life, and ''life crafting'' as the core category.DiscussionThe study's findings provide valuable insights into the cultural and socio-economic factors influencing GD among Iranian male adolescents. For example, Iran's economic conditions make adolescents choose gaming as their job and try to earn money in this way, which makes them more dependent on gaming. On the other hand, communities related to games play an essential role in the identity development of adolescents with GD.

Using the consolidated framework for implementation research to identify challenges and opportunities for implementing a reproductive health education program into sickle cell disease care.

As survival rates for individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) increase, calls have been made to improve their reproductive healthcare and outcomes. The research team created a web-based program entitled Fertility edUcaTion to Understand ReproductivE health in Sickle cell disease (FUTURES). The study aim was to use the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) during pre-implementation to identify challenges and opportunities from the individual to systems level of implementation to ultimately optimize the integration of FUTURES into clinical practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with clinicians, research team members, and adolescent and young adult (AYA) males with SCD and their caregivers who participated in pilot testing. Interviews (N = 31) were coded inductively and then mapped onto CFIR domains (i.e., outer setting, inner setting, characteristics of individuals, and intervention characteristics). Research team interviews indicated the lack of universal guidelines for reproductive care in this population and gaps in reproductive health knowledge as key reasons for developing FUTURES, also highlighting the importance of collaboration with community members during development. Clinicians reported intraorganizational communication as essential to implementing FUTURES and discussed challenges in addressing reproductive health due to competing priorities. Clinicians, AYAs, and caregivers reported positive views of FUTURES regarding length, engagement, accessibility, and content. Suggestions for the best setting and timing for implementation varied. Using CFIR during the pre-implementation phase highlighted challenges and opportunities regarding integrating this program into SCD care. These findings will inform adaptation and further testing of FUTURES to ensure effective implementation of this novel education program.

A preliminary investigation of physical and mental health features of cannabis & nicotine co-use among adolescents and young adults by sex

IntroductionCannabis and nicotine/tobacco products (NTP) are commonly co-used in adolescence and young adulthood; however, limited research has been done on predictive health behaviors to co-use. The current study is a preliminary investigation into the relationships of modifiable health behaviors on cannabis and NTP co-use in adolescents and young adults. Method221 participants (ages 16–22) were characterized into cannabis use only (N = 55), NTP use only (N = 20), cannabis and NTP co-use (used cannabis and NTP; N = 96) and control (no use; N = 50) groups based on past 30-day use. Self-report measures for physical activity, sleep quality, mental health, and reward responsivity were utilized. Participants were given a comprehensive neurocognitive battery. Logistic regressions of self-report measures and fluid intelligence composite scores on substance use group status were run stratified by sex. ResultsHigher approach reward sensitivity traits were associated with increased likelihood of cannabis use only (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.15, p = .036) in female participants. Increased aerobic activity was associated with decreased likelihood of cannabis use only (OR = 0.91, p = .047) and cannabis and NTP co-use (OR = 0.88, p = .007) in female participants. Higher anxiety was associated with increased likelihood of cannabis NTP co-use (OR = 1.51, p = 0.025) in male participants. DiscussionSeveral health behaviors were linked with cannabis use and cannabis and NTP co-use in both females and male adolescents and young adults. Health markers differed by sex suggesting differing mechanisms of substance co-use. This study informs targetable health behaviors for prevention and intervention efforts.

Sleep duration and consumption of ultra-processed foods among Brazilian adolescents

BackgroundSleep duration influences the dietary pattern and quality of life of adolescents and is associated with increased ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption among those with inadequate sleep duration, which may be related to the increased prevalence of obesity, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure in this age group. Thus, the study objective was to verify the association between sleep duration and UPF intake among Brazilian adolescents participating in the Study of Cardiovascular Risks in Adolescents (ERICA). MethodsCross-sectional study using ERICA data, conducted between March 2013 and December 2014 with adolescents aged 12 to 17 years from public and private schools in Brazilian cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants. UPF consumption was obtained by recording a 24-hour food diary and was used as the outcome variable (in grams). The sleep duration was obtained through a questionnaire, stratified into recommended sleep duration (eight to 10 hours) and inadequate sleep duration (less than 8 hours and more than 10 hours). Linear regression was performed to verify the association between sleep duration and UPF consumption. The analyses were carried out using Stata. Results66,791 adolescents were included in the study, 55.94% of whom had inadequate sleep duration. Regardless of sleep duration, male adolescents had a higher average UPF consumption, as did adolescents in the 14-15 age group, who belong to the high socioeconomic score. Adolescents who slept less than 8 or more than 10 hours a night (inadequate sleep duration) showed an increase in UPF consumption compared to adolescents who complied with the recommended hours of sleep (37.20 (22.64 – 51.76). ConclusionThe results show the importance of healthy lifestyle habits, such as adequate sleep duration and healthy eating, for health promotion. Food and Nutrition Education actions in schools are recommended to warn about the harm of inadequate sleep time and excessive UPF consumption.

Evolving growth hormone deficiency: proof of concept

Evolving growth hormone deficiency: proof of concept

Gynecomastia in adolescent males: current understanding of its etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

Gynecomastia (GM) is a common and continuously evolving condition that commonly occurs during adolescence. It is the source of significant embarrassment and psychological stress in adolescent males. GM is characterized by enlargement of the male breast due to the proliferation of glandular ducts and stromal components. The main cause of GM during adolescence is physiological or pubertal GM, which is primarily attributed to an imbalance between estrogen and androgen activity. Physiological GM is typically transient and resolves within several months, although it may take several years to resolve. GM may also be caused by other pathological conditions and could be indicative of an endocrine disease. It is crucial to understand the pathogenesis of GM to distinguish it from normal developmental variants due to pathological causes. The aim of this review is to highlight the significance of GM during adolescence in terms of potential etiologies, clinical and laboratory diagnoses, and current management.

The Impact of Family Socioeconomic Status (SES) on Adolescents’ Learning Conformity: The Mediating Effect of Self-Esteem

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between family socioeconomic status (SES) and adolescents’ learning conformity and self-esteem among a sample of 15–18 year-old high school students. Methods: A survey was conducted on 339 adolescents using measures of family SES, self-esteem, and learning conformity. An intermediary effect model was constructed to examine the mediating mechanism of self-esteem in the impact of family SES on adolescents’ learning conformity. Results: In our study, we observed that male adolescents were more likely to come from families with higher socioeconomic status (SES) and exhibited relatively higher levels of self-esteem compared to female adolescents. However, this finding should be regarded as an observational outcome specific to our study sample and does not directly indicate a causal relationship between gender and family SES or self-esteem. Adolescents from rural areas were more likely to exhibit tendencies towards learning abidance and compliance. Family SES positively predicted self-esteem. The intermediary model indicated that family SES significantly positively influenced learning abidance and compliance, with self-esteem partially mediating the effects at 33.49% and 33.33%, respectively. Family SES negatively affected learning obedience, with self-esteem partially mediating the effect at 39.77%. Conclusion: Among the 15–18 year-old high school student population, family SES not only directly affects learning abidance, compliance, and obedience but also generates an indirect mediating effect through self-esteem.

청소년소설과 젠더 -한국 청소년문학상 수상작을 중심으로-

This study focuses on the ways in which Korean society's gender norms are reinterpreted by the winners of the Young Adult Literature Awards. First, I examined how the gendered family system in Korean society has been transformed and reconfigured, and how it affects the youth identity. Families in the Young Adult Fiction do not conform to conventional models of normal families and gender role norms. However, I critically examined the direction of family narratives by pointing out that the newly transformed familism limits the imagination of Young Adult Fiction. Next, I examined the representation of adolescent sexuality as a consistent practice. Male adolescents were often portrayed as the protagonists of events, which is problematic from a gender-sensitive perspective, and female adolescent sexuality had largely been addressed in the realm of pregnancy, abortion, and childbirth. However, I expect to see more narratives exploring female sexual self-determination in a new light. Finally, I highlighted issues of queer identity that are not captured by the gender binary. The winners of the Young Adult Literature Prize tend to deal with queer identity issues in friendships, and the recent winners have portrayed queer issues in new ways and formats through a combination of family, travel narratives, and romance narratives. Unlike in the past, when queer people were categorically excluded, minority issues have recently been addressed in terms of human rights education; however, it remains to be seen whether this will generate meaningful reflections in the future.

Single-center retrospective study of the diagnostic value of double-balloon enteroscopy in Meckel's diverticulum with bleeding.

The study aimed to analyze the characteristic clinical manifestations of patients with intestinal disease Meckel's diverticulum (MD) complicated by digestive tract hemorrhage. Moreover, we aimed to evaluate the value of double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) in MD diagnosis and the prognosis after laparoscopic diverticula resection. To evaluate the value of DBE in the diagnosis and the prognosis after laparoscopic diverticula resection for MD with bleeding. The study retrospectively analyzed relevant data from 84 MD patients treated between January 2015 and March 2022 and recorded their clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination, and follow-up after laparoscopic resection of diverticula. (1) Among 84 MD patients complicated with hemorrhage, 77 were male, and 7 were female with an average age of 31.31 ± 10.75 years. The incidence was higher in men than in women of different ages; (2) Among the 84 MD patients, 65 (78.40%) had defecated dark red stools, and 50 (58.80%) had no accompanying symptoms during bleeding, indicating that most MD bleeding appeared a dark red stool without accompanying symptoms; (3) The shock index of 71 patients (85.20%) was < 1, suggesting that the blood loss of most MD patients was less than 20%-30%, and only a few patients had a blood loss of > 30%; (4) The DBE-positive rate was 100% (54/54), 99mTc-pertechnetate-positive scanning rate was 78% (35/45) compared with capsule endoscopy (36%) and small intestine computed tomography (19%). These results suggest that DBE and 99mTc-pertechnetate scans had significant advantages in diagnosing MD and bleeding, especially DBE was a highly precise examination method in MD diagnosis; (5) A total of 54 MD patients with hemorrhage underwent DBE examination before surgery. DBE endoscopy revealed many mucosal manifestations including normal appearance, inflammatory changes, ulcerative changes, diverticulum inversion, and nodular hyperplasia, with ulcerative changes being the most common (53.70%). This suggests that diverticular mucosal ulcer was the main cause of MD and bleeding; and (6) Laparoscopic dissection of diverticulae was performed in 76 patients, The patients who underwent postoperative follow-up did not experience any further bleeding. Additionally, follow-up examination of the 8 cases who had declined surgery revealed that 3 of them experienced a recurrence of digestive tract bleeding. These findings indicate that laparoscopic diverticula resection in MD patients complicated by bleeding had a favorable prognosis. Bleeding associated with MD was predominantly observed in male adolescents, particularly at a young age. DBE was a highly precise examination method in MD diagnosis. Laparoscopic diverticula resection effectively prevented MD bleeding and had a good prognosis.

Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma: a case report

Introduction: Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) is a rare and locally invasive benign hypervascular neoplasm, representing 0.05 to 0.5% of all neoplasms in the head and neck. Though it is benign, it has an aggressive nature. The clinical presentation of this tumor is a triad of epistaxis, unilateral nasal obstruction, and a mass in the nasopharynx. It could cause massive epistaxis or intracranial involvement, which both lead to fatal consequences. It is most commonly seen in adolescent males because it is considered an androgen-dependent tumor. Case Presentation: This report introduced a case of a 13-year-old Saudi male patient who presented two months after surgical removal of JNA with a complaint of progressively left-sided nasal blockage, snoring, rhinorrhea, hyposmia, and oral fullness with no epistaxis. Computed tomography (CT) with contrast of the sinuses was done and confirmed the recurrence of angiofibroma. Conclusion: This report revealed a recurrent period of two months after the surgical removal of a primary tumor, which is shorter than the typical period of recurrence.

Adolescents' Knowledge and Attitudes about Contraception, Sexuality, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and Pelvic Health

Background: Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) can cause serious health complications, including pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and cervical cancer. Adolescents and young adults are particularly vulnerable to STIs due to risk-taking behaviors, multiple sexual partners, and inconsistent condom use. Our study aimed to examine the knowledge about contraceptive methods and sexually transmitted infections, and attitudes toward sexual health education among adolescents in Croatia. Methods: The participants were high school students aged 16 to 18 years. The study was conducted at Antun Gustav Matoš Gymnasium, Zabok. We obtained study data via an anonymous survey. Results: The study included 204 adolescents in their final years of high school. The total number of adolescents who had sexual intercourse was 47 (23%). The percentage of sexually active female and male adolescents was 21% and 27%, respectively. In the surveyed group of adolescents, 86% had never heard of subcutaneous progestin implants and 72% had never heard of contraceptive sponges. All adolescents had heard of oral contraceptives and condoms. In the surveyed group of adolescents, 58% had never heard of trichomoniasis and 10% had never heard of HSV. All adolescents had heard of HIV and syphilis. A total of 147 (72%) of the surveyed adolescents believed it as necessary to provide health education in schools. Conclusion: The initiation of sexual activity among adolescents in Croatia remains unchanged when compared to previous studies. Their current knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases and contraceptive methods should be improved through continuous, well-designed, and comprehensive sexual health education.