Teenagers are increasingly practicing "unsafe sex" with new partners
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Teenagers are increasingly practicing "unsafe sex" and are less aware of the methods of contraception. This is stated in a study conducted for World Contraception Day (September 26).
A survey of more than 6,000 young people from 26 countries by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals found that in the past three years, the number of adolescents who refuse to practice safe sex with a new partner has increased by 19% in England, 39% in the US, 111% - in France.
"The reasons for such a sharp increase in the practice of" unsafe sex "is the many obstacles that prevent young people from accessing truthful information about contraception and sex. Therefore, various myths and misconceptions are still widespread, "says the head of the initiative group Denise Keller.
The survey results showed that in Europe less than half of the respondents receive sex education, in the US and the Asia-Pacific region - only three quarters. Many teenagers noted that they are ashamed to seek medical advice about contraception. Also, they admit that they are embarrassed to discuss with a partner the use of contraceptives.
More than a third of Egyptian teenagers believe that using a bath or shower after intercourse will help prevent pregnancy. A quarter of the youth of India and Thailand are confident that sex during menstruation is an effective form of contraception.
The authors of the study say that they did not discover anything surprising for themselves. All this points to the urgent need for a World Contraceptive Day.