A recent study by WHO reveals a significant decline in condom use among sexually active 15-year-olds across various countries since 2014. According to the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey, 61% of boys and 57% of girls reported using a condom during their last sexual encounter. However, nearly one-third of adolescents did not use a condom, and some were unsure if protection was used. This marks a notable drop—nine percentage points for boys and six percentage points for girls—over the past eight years.
The data shows disparities between countries and regions. For instance, condom use among girls was lowest in Albania (24%) and highest in Serbia (81%), while boys’ condom use ranged from 43% in Sweden to 77% in Switzerland. Additionally, boys from wealthier families were 10% more likely to use condoms compared to those from low-affluence backgrounds.
Countries with higher gender equality also saw more frequent use of condoms and contraceptive pills. Despite efforts to promote safe sex, this continued decline poses a challenge for sexual health programs worldwide, with a clear need for targeted interventions to reverse the trend.
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