Condom use among sexually active adolescents in Europe has fallen significantly over the past decade, according to a WHO report published Thursday. This decline exposes young people to an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies.
Based on data collected from more than 242,000 15-year-olds in 42 countries, the proportion of boys using a condom during their last sexual encounter fell from 70% in 2014 to 61% in 2022. For girls, this proportion dropped from 63% to 57%. Approximately 30% of adolescents used neither a condom nor the contraceptive pill during their last sexual encounter, a figure that has remained stable since 2018.
The use of the contraceptive pill has remained stable, with 26% of young people reporting using it. The report also indicates that 33% of adolescents from low-income families do not use condoms or the pill, compared to 25% of those from wealthier families.
Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, emphasizes that age-appropriate sex education is often neglected and attacked, even though it is essential for responsible behavior. The WHO warns that this educational deficiency leads to increased healthcare costs and disrupts young people's educational and professional paths.
 Sophie de Duiéry
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29/08/2024 | 
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