Abstract

Background

Sexual and reproductive health are key issues for adolescents and young adults. Detailed national Canadian data about sexual behaviours, condom use and other contraceptive use by youth are lacking.

Methods

Data from the 2015/2016 Canadian Community Health Survey were used to examine sexual behaviours, condom and other contraceptive use, and reasons for non-use by selected characteristics.

Results

In 2015/2016, 54.1% of 15- to 24-year-olds reported having had sexual intercourse in the past year. Among those who had intercourse in the previous year, the percentage of males (42.6%) who had multiple sexual partners was higher than the percentage of females (31.4%). Gay and bisexual males (67.4% and 72.5%, respectively) and bisexual females (47.5%) were more likely to report having had multiple partners than their heterosexual counterparts. Overall, 60.1% of youth reported using a condom the last time they had sex. This was more common at younger ages, among males and among those who reported having had sex with more than one partner in the previous year. When asked the reason for not using a condom, monogamy and use of another method, such as oral contraceptive pills, were each cited by nearly half of non-users. Some reasons for not using a condom also differed by age, sex and number of partners. For example, youth aged 20 to 24 were more likely to report not using a condom because they disliked them, whereas those aged 15 to 17 were more likely to report none were available. About one-fifth of 15- to 24-year-olds reported using neither a condom nor another method of contraception the last time they had sex. One in 10 currently sexually active females reported using emergency contraception in the past year.

Interpretation

A substantial proportion of youth in Canada are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy, and the findings have implications for comprehensive sexual health education and related policies and programs.

Keywords

Contraception, condom, pregnancy prevention, sexual intercourse, sexual partners

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.25318/82-003-x202000900001-eng

Findings

Sexual behaviours, condom use, and protection against un-wanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are important indicators of sexual and reproductive health. National data on these indicators can assist the public health and education sectors in planning and implementing effective programming to promote sexual health. Data on condom use are of particular interest because correct and consistent con-dom use reduces the risk of passing on STIs and is an effec-tive method of contraception. Information on the motiva-tions for not using condoms or other contraceptives can help governments and organizations develop policies and initia-tives that encourage their use. Reported rates of nationally notifiable STIs have increased substantially since 2001, with these infections disproportionately affecting people younger than 30, and there are an estimated 180,700 unintended pregnancies annually in Canada, underscoring the need for data related to sexual health. Data from the 2015/2016 Ca-nadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) were used to ex-amine rates of sexual activity, numbers of intercourse part-ners, use of condoms or other contraceptives, and reasons for not using condoms among sexually active 15- to 24-year-olds. [Full article]

Authors

Michelle Rotermann (michelle.rotermann@canada.ca) is with the Health Analysis Division at Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario. Alexander McKay (alex@sieccan.org) is with the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN), Toronto, Ontario.