Objective To explore the influence of parental factors on sexual and reproductive health awareness,attitudes to pre-marital sex, and pre-marital sexual activity among unmarried youthMethods Data were collected by anonymous self-completed questionnaire survey among eli-gible unmarried youth aged 15~22 in Chengdu City, Southwest China during 1998~1999 andthe study comprised of 3 307 valid subjects.Results Awareness of safe sex and contraception among unmarried youth was limited and theirattitudes towards pre-marital sexual activity appeared to be positive. Large proportions of dat-ing subjects were sexually active and reported ever-using contraceptives, regular or appropriateuse of contraceptives was likely to be limited. About two thirds of adolescents had communica-tion with their parents frequently, but fewer had communicated with their parents on sex-relatedissues. but they did influence the sexual behaviours of adolescents. In fact, it appeared that co-residence and extensive communication with parents on sex-related issues could delay sexualactivity among adolescents, and the sexually active youth co-resided with their parents weremore likely to take contraceptive measures.Conclusion Programmes are needed not only for youth to encourage them to communicate withtheir parents on sex-related issues, but also for parents to know the current sexual health statusof youth and realize the necessity to communicate with their adolescent children about sexualand reproductive health issues. Objective To explore the influence of parental factors on sexual and reproductive health awareness, attitudes to pre-marital sex, and pre-marital sexual activity among unmarried youthMethods Data were collected anonymous and self-completed questionnaire survey among eli-gible unmarried youth aged 15~ 22 in Chengdu City, Southwest China during 1998~1999 and the study comprised of 3 307 valid subjects.Results Awareness of safe sex and contraception among unmarried youth was limited and their attitudes towards the pre-marital sexual activity appeared to be positive. Large proportions of dat- Ing subjects were sexually active and reported ever-using contraceptives, regular or appropriate use of contraceptives was likely to be limited. About two thirds of adolescents had communica-tion with their parents frequently, but fewer had communicated with their parents on sex-relatedissues. but They did influence the sexual behaviours of adolescents. In fact, it showed that co-residence and extensive commun 1989 with recognition on sexual-related issues could delay sexualactivity among adolescents, and the sexually active youth co-resided with their parents were more likely to take contraceptive measures.Conclusion Programmes are included not only for youth to encourage them to communicate with their parents on sex- Related issues, but also for parents to know the current sexual health status of youth and realize the necessity to communicate with their adolescent children about sexual and reproductive health issues.