“Características de la población adolescente rural de la comuna de Pichidegua”

Abstract

Describring the psycho-social characteristics of the rural adolescent population in Pichidegua has been the aim of this research, establishing their relationship with the habits of drinking alcohol, smoking marihuana, having premature sexual intercourses and also the interests they have with regards to the use of their free-time. A survey was applied to 181 teeanagers aged 19 to 23, of which 158 were students and 23 non-student, 5th to 8th grade elementary school in average, with a 65 per cent of them working at present. The results show that 80.7 per cent has sometime ingested alcohol, 20 per cent being dependant on it; the level of ingestion is similar between students and non-students, beginning at the age of 10 to 14 (53.4 %). They drink in company of relatives and friends, their main motivation in the social aspect (44.6 %). A 14 percent has sometime smoked marihuana, this being most frequent among non - students, in group activities. Regarding their sexual behaviour, 27 percent has had sexual intercourses, a36 per cent- most frecuently among non - students before the 15 years of age. A 65 per cent has some knowledge of sexuality. Their most preferable free time activities are sports and recreation.