Over 6 in 10 youth used a condom the last time they had sex
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Released: 2020-09-16
According to the 2015 and 2016 cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey, an estimated 54% of 15- to 24-year-olds (2.2 million) reported having had sexual intercourse in the previous 12 months, and 60% reported having used a condom the last time they had sex.
Males were more likely to have had multiple partners than females (43% compared with 31%). These are among the findings from a new study released today in Health Reports that provides updated information about the sexual behaviours, condom use and use of other contraceptive methods of 15- to 24-year-olds in Canada.
The study also looked at the reasons youth gave for not using a condom the last time they had sex (more than one reason could be given). The most common reasons cited were being in a monogamous relationship (48%) and using another method of contraception (47%), followed by not thinking they were at risk of sexually transmitted infections (24%), not liking them (22%) and not thinking they were at risk of pregnancy (18%).
The data indicate that substantial numbers of youth in Canada were sexually active before the pandemic and not taking appropriate actions to reduce outcomes that may negatively impact their sexual and reproductive health. While this study uses data collected before the pandemic, future studies could explore the pandemic's impact on the sexual behaviours of youth.
Products
The article "Sexual behaviours, condom use, and other contraceptive methods among 15- to 24-year olds, in Canada" is now available in the September 2020 online issue of Health Reports, Vol. 31, no. 9 (82-003-X).
This issue of Health Reports also contains the article "Daily physical activity and sedentary behaviour across occupational classifications in Canadian adults."
To enquire about "Sexual behaviours, condom use, and other contraceptive methods among 15- to 24-year-olds, in Canada," contact Michelle Rotermann (michelle.rotermann@canada.ca), Health Analysis Division.
To enquire about "Daily physical activity and sedentary behaviour across occupational classifications in Canadian adults," contact Media Relations at the Public Health Agency of Canada (613-957-2983).
Contact information
For more information contact us (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; STATCAN.infostats-infostats.STATCAN@canada.ca).
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