Until recently teenagers have been questioned as to whether they are responsible enough to have an active sex life. In one of the largest epidemiological studies in recent years, adolescents seem more responsible that adults!
The study was conducted in the US, based on a sample of 5865 people aged 14-94 years. The results showed that:
- Boys up to 17 years reported condom use in 80% of cases, while girls of the same age in 58%. However, the rates decreased significantly in adults. Adult men reported condom use in 20% of sexual encounters and women at 18.4%. An impressive result of the study is that in adults condom use is significantly reduced per decade increase in age. It seems that teenagers and younger ones are those who are more responsible in their sexual behavior!
- Regardless of age, boys and men use condoms more often than girls and women.
What other factors were associated with condom use?
- The likelihood of condom use doubled, when sexual encounters are with a casual partner, compared with a long term partner. The fact remained the same regardless of age and gender.
- People with higher education were more likely to use condoms than those who had lower education.
- For anal sex, men reported using a condom in 25.8% of the encounters, and women only 13.2% of them.
Although condom use rates have increased in comparison with previous years, it is obvious that the sexual health promotion interventions should continue to be adjusted to current circumstances!
Reece M, Herbenick D, Schick V et al. (2010) Sexual behaviors, relationships, and perceived health among adult men in the United States: results from a national probability sample. J Sex Med 7 Suppl 5: 291-304.
