Alarming drop in condom use among European adolescents: WHO
The study also found that teenagers from households were less likely to utilize protection than those from other backgrounds.
A report from the World Health Organization European Office indicates that there has been a drop in condom use among youths in Europe since 2014. This decline in practices raises concerns about the transmission of infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies among young people.
Data from the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) survey, which collected responses from over 242000 15-year-olds across 42 regions reveals that many teenagers do not use condoms consistently. This pattern could present health risks, for individuals.
The proportion of boys using condoms has decreased from 70% to 61%. For girls, the drop is from 63% to 57%. Nearly a third of teenagers reported not using any form of protection such as condoms or birth control pills during their recent sexual encounters.
The study also found that teenagers from households were less likely to utilize protection than those from other backgrounds. Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, raised alarm about the loss in education across regions, citing these troubling trends.
He emphasized how important it is to educate young people about health and safe sex practices to address these challenges and promote informed choice-making. The paper advocates for efforts to reverse these trends, including increased investment in education and improved access to methodologies. It also underlines the need to create places in which young people can openly address health issues without fear of being judged.
To safeguard the well-being of young people the World Health Organization underscores the importance of governments and health organizations promptly addressing gaps in education and services. This involves supporting initiatives that cover sexual health and relationship issues.
The results of this study underscore the importance of prioritizing the enhancement of sexual health education and services for young people by policymakers, educators and healthcare providers. This focus guarantees that youth are equipped with the information and tools necessary to make choices regarding their well-being.
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