In the context of World Contraception Day 2011, a new global survey [1] was carried out between April and May this year, involving 6,000 16-to-19 year-olds from 29 countries throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America and the USA. In Europe, interviews were conducted in Estonia, France, Great Britain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, Sweden and Turkey.
This year’s survey results released on WCD (September 26th) show that 42% of sexually active young people across Europe have had sex without contraception with a new partner.
• 67% of women in Estonia admitted to having sex without contraception
• In France and Great Britain the numbers of young people having unprotected sex with a new partner has even increased over the last two years.
The second most common reason given for having unprotected sex with a new partner was that respondents did not like contraception (14 %).
According to the survey, there are many countries where sexuality education is not provided. On average, only half of young people surveyed across Europe (55 %) receive sex education in school compared to three quarters across Latin America (78%), Asia Pacific (76%) and the USA (74%).
Young people in Turkey, Latvia, Slovenia, Italy and Russia were least likely to have been taught about sex at school (20%, 33%, 34%, 35% and 40%).
Young people in France (60%) are more likely than those in the rest of Europe to feel very well informed and those in Lithuania (23%) are least likely to feel well informed about the different contraceptive options available.
For more information on World Contraception Day, go to www.your-life.com
World Contraception Day is supported by a coalition of 10 international NGOs, scientific and medical societies, including IPPF, with an interest in sexual health and is sponsored by Bayer Schering Pharma.
[1] Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals. Data on file. Clueless or Clued Up: Your Right to be informed about contraception’ Survey. Fieldwork carried out by GFK Healthcare. April - May 2011.