The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns about a significant rise in the number of teenagers and adults engaging in sexual activities without using condoms or other contraceptives.
In a report released on Thursday, the WHO attributed this increase to economic hardship and social influences. The data indicates that the decline in condom use is contributing to higher risks of sexually transmitted infections, unsafe abortions, and unplanned pregnancies.
The report, based on the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, analyzed responses from over 242,000 15-year-olds across 42 countries in Europe, Central Asia, and Canada from 2014 to 2022. It found a notable decrease in condom use among sexually active adolescents. The proportion of boys using a condom during their last sexual encounter dropped from 70% to 61%, and among girls, from 63% to 57%.
Additionally, nearly one-third of adolescents reported not using any form of protection or contraceptive pill during their last intercourse. Socioeconomic factors play a role, with adolescents from low-income families being more likely to forgo protection compared to those from more affluent backgrounds.
WHO emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive health education programs for adolescents globally to promote safe sexual practices and address the decline in condom use.
News Editor