Sex Survey From Florida Health Department Ends

18-24 Year Old Women Asked About Sexual Behavior In Controversial Survey

LABELLE, FL. -- The Florida Department of Health has discontinued sending out a survey asking 4,100 young women 46 questions about their sexual habits. The survey was mistakenly sent to an underage youth, causing the state to rethink the program.

The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reported an interview with the Department of Health's public information officer Jessica Hammonds, saying the state spent $45,000 on the sex life survey offering a $10 CVS gift card for women aged 18 to 24 who returned the survey to the state.

The survey was sent to women in September and October with questions like "How did you feel emotionally when you had unprotected sex - were you trying to get pregnant, were you in the 'heat of the moment and just went with the flow,' or did you find the man attractive and 'thought it would be nice to have a baby with him?' Did you feel 'powerless'? Or was it that you 'felt emotionally connected with your partner during sex"?

Other questions asked "Has a sexual partner ever 'told you he would have a baby with someone else if you didn’t get pregnant?' 'Physically forced you to have sex?' 'Hurt you physically because you did not agree to get pregnant?"

DOH Communicatons Director Hammods said the survey was written by the Surgeon General Dr. John Armstrong's predecessor.

The DOH's Betsy Wood, R.N. had a part in the survey and told recipients that participation was voluntary and participants in the program could quit when ever they wanted. "Taking part is up to you," she said. She was promoted to the Division Director of Community Health Promotion on November 19.

The Division of Community Health Promotion's program includes the bureaus of Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Child Care Food, Tobacco Free Florida, Family and Community Health and Chronic Disease Prevention.