WHO Sounds Alarm on Rising Rates of Unprotected Sex Among Teens
The World Health Organisation(WHO) has issued a stark warning about a troubling drop in condom use among sexually active adolescents since 2014, a trend that has led to increased instances of unprotected sex and its associated risks.
In a statement released on Thursday, August 30, the WHO’s Regional Office for Europe highlighted findings from a new report that paints a concerning picture. The report, based on the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, surveyed over 242,000 15-year-olds across 42 countries, including Europe, Central Asia, and Canada, from 2014 to 2022.
The data reveals a significant decline in condom use among young people. For sexually active boys, the percentage using a condom during their last sexual encounter fell from 70% to 61%. Among girls, the proportion dropped from 63% to 57%. Additionally, nearly one-third of adolescents reported using neither a condom nor the contraceptive pill during their last sexual encounter.
Socioeconomic factors are also influencing these trends, with adolescents from low-income families more likely to report unprotected sex compared to their more affluent peers.
Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, attributed this decline to inadequate comprehensive sex education, which has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years. He stressed the urgent need for improved education to equip young people with the knowledge needed to make informed choices about their sexual health and protect their well-being.
