OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to assess the knowledge of adolescents on sexuality and their sexual behaviour.

METHODS: The target population of our quantitative cross-sectional study were full-time students aged 15-19 years from public educational institutions (n=163). Data were collected online using self-administered questionnaire, sample was created through accidental sampling menthod. Chi-square test, t test, ANOVA and correlation analysis were calculated to interpret results (p<0.05).

RESULTS: 58.9% of the respondents have had sexual relationship before. Students knew 4.45 contraception methods on average, those who were sexually active knew even more (p<0.05). Among the factors affecting the preferred contraceptive method: duration of the relationship, parental recommendation, reliability of the method, ease of use and ease of purchase became more important factors with increasing age (p<0.05). Children with a harmonious relationship with their parents were more likely to dare to ask for help with contraceptive problems (p<0.05). 67.48% had received sex education from their parents, 84.66% in school settings, which did not show a correlation with knowledge about sexually transmitted diseases (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge about contraceptive methods was found to be satisfactory, but more emphasis should be placed on knowledge about STIs. Sexually active young people are more knowledgeable about methods and as age increases, the criteria for choosing the right method reflect a wider range of knowledge. Education involving parents is recommended, and there is also a need to increase the knowledge of young people who are not sexually active so that they are prepared to choose the right contraceptive method.