Fieldwork for these case studies was conducted chiefly between 1992 and 1996. A summary review of the studies is now available from the Programme. The studies cover a variety of sociocultural settings. In some, premarital sexual activity is taboo, using contraception is forbidden among unmarried youth, and abortion is viewed as the only solution to premarital pregnancy among adolescents. In others, premarital pregnancy may be condoned and childbearing among unmarried mothers is not unknown.
Most studies focus on unmarried youth.
Many common themes emerge from these studies. In every setting, sexual activity begins during adolescence among many young people. Sexual relations may be forced. There are wide gender-based differences in sexual conduct, and in the ability to negotiate sexual activity and contraceptive use. Despite this, relatively few young people think they are at risk of disease or unwanted pregnancy.