WHO Alert: fewer adolescents use condoms
Only 60% of 15-year-olds report using condoms, down from 70% in 2014
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued an alarm: over the last ten years, condom use among European adolescents has dropped dramatically. Only 60% of 15-year-olds report using it during their last sexual intercourse, down from 70% in 2014.
An increasing risk
This trend has significant consequences for the health of young people. The decrease in condom use leads to an increased risk of:
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): including chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV and HIV. Some of these infections can lead to serious complications, such as infertility and cancer
- Unwanted pregnancies: with all the social and psychological consequences that result
- Unsafe abortions: especially in countries where access to legal abortion is limited
Inequalities and challenges
The WHO study has shown how social inequalities affect condom use. Adolescents from less affluent families are less likely to use contraceptive methods than their more affluent peers.
Causes of decline
The reasons for this decline are manifold and complex. Factors that may have influenced this trend include:
- The decrease in risk perception: many young people may underestimate the risks of unprotected sexual relationships
- The difficulty of access to contraceptives: in some countries, access to condoms and other contraceptive methods may be limited, especially for young people
- Peer pressure: young people may feel pressured not to use condoms for fear of being judged by their peers
- The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: The pandemic may have disrupted sex education services and made access to contraceptives more difficult for some young people
The importance of sex education
The WHO stresses the importance of comprehensive, evidence-based sex education. This type of education should provide young people with the information they need to make informed decisions about their sexual and relational health.
An appeal for action
The decline in condom use among European adolescents is a serious problem that requires urgent action. ” We are reaping the bitter fruits of years of cuts in sex education and disinformation services,” said Hans Henri Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “It is urgent to act to reverse this trend and protect young people’s health.” To do this, we need a combination of education, access to services and effective health policies, so we can reverse this trend and protect the health of young people.