A recent study from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey reveals notable trends in sexual activity and condom use among Maltese teens compared to their international peers. In Malta, 15% of 15-year-old girls and 17% of boys are sexually active, aligning with the average for 42 surveyed countries. However, while condom use among sexually active Maltese boys is slightly above the international average at 62%, girls lag significantly behind with only 40%, compared to an international average of 57%.
This discrepancy suggests a cultural taboo surrounding condom use among Maltese females. Additionally, 49% of Maltese girls did not use condoms or contraceptive pills during their last sexual encounter, well above the 40% international average.
When compared to other nations, Maltese boys are less sexually active than their peers in Italy, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and Denmark, while Maltese girls are notably less active than those in Italy, Germany, Spain, and Sweden. The study also highlights significant gender gaps in condom use, with the largest disparities observed in Albania and Malta.
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