Young people have sex later but use less contraceptives

According to the study, which will be presented this Wednesday in Lisbon, the frequency of first sexual intercourse has decreased in adolescents under the age of 13 and increased in adolescents over 14 years of age, and the use of contraceptive methods has decreased.

The Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC/WHO) study, conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization and involving 51 countries, analyzes the behavior and health of adolescents (6th, 8th and 10th grade) in their life contexts.

Data accessed by Lusa and to be made public this Wednesday in Lisbon indicates that the age-specific frequency of first intercourse has decreased in young people aged 11 and under (13.6% in 2018 and 8.4 % in 2022) and in persons aged 12/13 (from 23.2% to 20.5%).

In young people aged 14 years and older, this frequency increased from 63.2% to 71.1%.

However, data from approximately 6,000 questionnaires covering more than 450 classes in mainland Portugal show that the majority (84.8%) of 8th and 10th grade teenagers have not yet had sexual intercourse. Of those who mentioned having already had it, 71.1% said they had their first intercourse at age 14 or later.

In terms of sexual behavior, the use of contraceptive methods has declined, with condom use down to 64% (66% in 2018) and contraceptive pill use down to 31.3% (from 33.8%).

Alcohol-related sexual relationships also decreased from 17.1% (2018) to 13.4% (2022).

The data also shows that 41.3% of young people surveyed said they are not currently in a romantic relationship, and more than one in five (23.5%) believe that the romantic relationship they are currently in is ” are one of the most important things in their lives.” “.

In terms of substance use, the rate of non-smokers increased from 93.7% in 2018 to 95.1% (2022).

The consumption of various alcoholic beverages has decreased across all types, and the results also show a decrease in the frequency of alcohol consumption of 20 days or more during the last month (from 9.7% to 6.8%).

However, they show that the frequency of heavy drinking has increased 1 to 3 times in the last 30 days, increasing from 3.9% to 4.2%.

Consumption and experimentation with other substances remained the same or decreased, with the exception of medicines used as narcotics, the share of which increased (from 1.6% to 1.9%).

In the area of ​​violence, the results continue to reflect that more young people see themselves as victims rather than provocateurs.

The HBSC/WHO (Health Behavior in School-aged Children) study has been conducted in Portugal since 1998 and internationally since 1983, and the last study was conducted in 2018, before the covid-19 pandemic.

This study, conducted every four years, focuses on the lifestyle of school-age adolescents in areas such as family support, school, physical health, mental health and well-being, sleep, sexuality, nutrition, physical activity, leisure, substances. use, violence and planetary health.