The World Health Organisation (WHO) has revealed in a recent report that nearly half of Ireland’s sexually active 15-year-olds did not use protection during their most recent sexual encounter. This research conducted by the WHO’s European branch draws attention to the significant health and safety implications of high levels of unprotected sex among young people across Europe.
The 2022 national health behaviour study among school-aged children discloses that 44% of 15-year-old boys and 49% of girls admitted to not using a condom in their last sexual encounter. An additional 6% of boys and 2% of girls were unsure if they had used one or not.
Moreover, 73% of boys reported that they or their partner did not use a contraceptive pill, as opposed to 59% of girls. Some 6% of boys were unsure about its use while less than 0.5% of girls claimed they didn’t know.
Sexual activity prevalence among 15-year-olds in Ireland is notably lower than many other countries included in the study, at 10 percent. It was observed however that affluence was a factor, with lower affluent boys (19%) being significantly more active than those from higher affluent backgrounds (8%).
In a broader European context, the percentage of sexually active adolescents using condoms has fallen from 70% in 2014 to 61% among boys, and from 63% to 57% among girls in 2022.
Dr. András Költő, from the University of Galway and the report’s lead author, asserts that a comprehensive sexual education is pivotal for addressing these discrepancies and enabling young individuals to make knowledgeable choices about sex.
According to Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, the WHO Regional Director for Europe, learning about consent, intimate relationships, gender identity and sexual orientation should be part of the formal education of young people, and shouldn’t be limited to just relaying information. He emphasised the need for safe environments in which these topics can be discussed openly.
In relation to the findings of a certain report, Dr Kluge described them as “disheartening”, albeit “expected”. He expressed his concern about how many countries still neglect comprehensive sexuality education that is suitable for different age groups. According to him, in instances where such education does exist, it is often criticised based on the untrue assertion that it promotes sexual behaviour. However, he firmly stated the opposite – imparting the correct information at the suitable time can lead to beneficial health outcomes, as it enables young people to behave responsibly and make informed decisions.