The WHO is sounding the alarm. Condom use among sexually active adolescents has declined significantly in Europe over the past decade, with “worrying” rates of unprotected sex, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO) published on Thursday.
“This situation exposes young people to a significant risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies,” WHO Europe wrote in a statement.
A drop of more than 10%
According to data from more than 242,000 15-year-olds in 42 countries in the region, which includes Central Asia, the proportion of boys who reported using a condom the last time they had sex fell from 70% in 2014 to 61% in 2022. The share of adolescent girls who reported using a condom the last time they had sex fell from 63% to 57% over the same period.
Nearly a third of adolescents (30%) reported using neither a condom nor birth control pills the last time they had sex, a figure that has remained virtually unchanged since 2018.
Pill use also remained fairly stable between 2014 and 2022, with 26% of 15-year-olds reporting that they or their partners used the contraceptive pill the last time they had sex.
33% of adolescents from poor families
The report also shows that 33% of adolescents from low-income families say they have not used a condom or contraceptive pill, compared to 25% of those from more affluent families.
“Age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education remains neglected in many countries and, where available, has come under increasing attack in recent years on the grounds that it encourages sexual behaviour,” said Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, in the statement.
“In reality, equipping young people with the right knowledge at the right time can lead to optimal health outcomes, linked to responsible behaviors and choices,” he adds.
According to WHO, in addition to the rise in STIs and unwanted pregnancies, inadequate sexuality education leads to higher health care costs and disrupts the educational and career paths of young people. “We are reaping the bitter fruits of these reactionary efforts, and the worst is yet to come unless governments, health authorities, the education sector and other key stakeholders truly recognize the root causes of the current situation and take action to address them,” the organization adds.