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How well protected are sexually active 15-year olds? Cross-national patterns in condom and contraceptive pill use 2002–2006

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International Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objectives:

To present comparative data on sexual initiation, and condom use and contraceptive pill use at last intercourse among adolescents in Europe, Israel and Canada.

Methods:

Data were collected by self-report questionnaire from nationally representative samples of 15 year olds in school classrooms in two cross-national surveys undertaken in 24 countries in 2001/02 and 30 countries in 2005/06.

Results:

In 2005/06 almost 27% of those surveyed had had sex and almost 86% reported using condoms or the contraceptive pill at last intercourse. This reflects little change since 2001/02 in prevalence of sexual initiation and a general increase in being well-protected at last intercourse. There were wide variations with up to a third of sexually active 15 year olds in some countries at risk for either Sexually Transmitted Infections or pregnancy, or both.

Conclusions:

Most adolescents were well protected against Sexually Transmitted Infections and pregnancy, but an important minority remain at risk, with very wide cross-national differences.

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Correspondence to Saoirse Nic Gabhainn.

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Members of the HBSC Sexual Health Focus Group: Saoirse Nic Gabhainn (IE) (Coordinator) (SDG), Emmanuelle Godeau (FR), Yolande Wagener (LU), Adriana Baban (RO)

Submitted: 03 November 2008; revised 04 May 2009; accepted 04 June 2009

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Nic Gabhainn, S., Baban, A., Boyce, W. et al. How well protected are sexually active 15-year olds? Cross-national patterns in condom and contraceptive pill use 2002–2006. Int J Public Health 54 (Suppl 2), 209–215 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-009-5412-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-009-5412-x

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