15 January 2008

International study of adolescent sexual behaviour identifies key trends

A large study of adolescents in 24 European and North American countries finds that while a ‘substantial minority’ of 15-year-olds have had intercourse, only 13.2% reported no contraceptive use during their most recent sexual encounter.

Dr. Emmanuelle Godeau, of Service Medical du Rectorat de Toulouse, France, and colleagues examined survey responses from 33,943 15-year-olds. Among their findings:

  • The proportion of the youths who had had intercourse ranged from 14.1% in Croatia to 37.6% in England.
  • Boys were more likely than girls to report intercourse.
  • More than 82% of sexually active teens reported using condoms and/or birth control pills at last intercourse.
  • Condoms were the most commonly used form of birth control.
  • Condom use ranged from 53% in Sweden to 89% in Greece.
  • Use of contraceptive pills ranged from 3% in Croatia to 48% in Flemish Belgium and the Netherlands.
  • Use of condoms and contraceptive pills together ranged from 2.6% in Croatia to 28.8% in Canada.
  • Effective contraceptive use was more common in Western Europe than in Eastern or Central Europe.

    In their conclusion, the authors argued:

    ‘Accurate information about adolescents’ sexual practices and readiness to use specific contraceptive methods for birth control and STI prevention should guide the development of interventions that more effectively promote healthy sexual behaviors. Such information is essential to help understand changes in adolescent pregnancy and STI patterns as well as to monitor the progress of public health activities. The geographical and cultural patterns of protection against pregnancy might be linked to the broader social acceptance of sexuality among young adolescents, access to contraceptives, and information about these and other medical services.’

    In an accompanying editorial, Dr. John Santelli and colleagues at Columbia University in New York City noted that contraception use is high and pregnancy rates are low in nations that are ‘strongly accepting of teenage contraceptive use and are ensuring adolescent access to contraception and sex education. Such examples challenge the notion that teenage sexual activity always has serious short-term and long-term health-compromising consequences.’

    Correspondence: Emmanuelle Godeau, MD, PhD, Service Médical du Rectorat de Toulouse 12, rue Mondran, 31400 Toulouse, France. Email:

    Contraceptive Use by 15-Year-Old Students at Their Last Sexual Intercourse: Results From 24 Countries. Emmanuelle Godeau, MD, PhD; Saoirse Nic Gabhainn, PhD; Céline Vignes, MA; Jim Ross, PhD; Will Boyce, PhD; Joanna Todd, BA. Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. 2008;162(1):66-73.

    Transnational Comparisons of Adolescent Contraceptive Use: What Can We Learn From These Comparisons? Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. 2008;162(1):92-94.