Fergus G Neville1, Juliet McEachran2, Aixa Aleman-Diaz2,3, Ross Whitehead2, Alina Cosma2, Dorothy Currie2, Candace Currie2. 1. School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK. 2. Child and Adolescent Health Research Unit, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK. 3. WHO Collaborative Centre for International Child and Adolescent Health Policy, School of Medicine, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.
Abstract
Background: Early sexual initiation and inadequate contraceptive use can place adolescents at increased risk of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. These behaviours are patterned by gender and may be linked to social inequalities. This paper examines trends in sexual initiation and contraceptive use by gender and family affluence for Scottish adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional data from four nationally representative survey cycles (2002, 2004, 2010, 2014) (n = 8895) (mean age = 15.57) were analysed. Logistic regressions examined the impact of survey year on sexual initiation, condom use and birth control pill (BCP) use at last sex; as well as any changes over time in association between family affluence and the three sexual behaviours. Analyses were stratified by gender. Results: Between 2002 and 2014, adolescent males and females became less likely to report having had sex. Low family affluence females were more likely to have had sex than high family affluence females, and this relationship did not change over time. Condom use at last sex was reported less by males since 2002, and by females since 2006. Low family affluence males and females were less likely to use condoms than high family affluence participants, and these relationships did not change over time. There were no effects of time or family affluence for BCP use. Conclusion: There has been a reduction in the proportion of 15-year olds in Scotland who have ever had sex, but also a decrease in condom use for this group. Economic inequalities persist for sexual initiation and condom use.
Background: Early sexual initiation and inadequate contraceptive use can place adolescents at increased risk of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. These behaviours are patterned by gender and may be linked to social inequalities. This paper examines trends in sexual initiation and contraceptive use by gender and family affluence for Scottish adolescents. Methods: Cross-sectional data from four nationally representative survey cycles (2002, 2004, 2010, 2014) (n = 8895) (mean age = 15.57) were analysed. Logistic regressions examined the impact of survey year on sexual initiation, condom use and birth control pill (BCP) use at last sex; as well as any changes over time in association between family affluence and the three sexual behaviours. Analyses were stratified by gender. Results: Between 2002 and 2014, adolescent males and females became less likely to report having had sex. Low family affluence females were more likely to have had sex than high family affluence females, and this relationship did not change over time. Condom use at last sex was reported less by males since 2002, and by females since 2006. Low family affluence males and females were less likely to use condoms than high family affluence participants, and these relationships did not change over time. There were no effects of time or family affluence for BCP use. Conclusion: There has been a reduction in the proportion of 15-year olds in Scotland who have ever had sex, but also a decrease in condom use for this group. Economic inequalities persist for sexual initiation and condom use.
Authors: Anamaria Molnar; Mihaela Iancu; Rodica Radu; Cristina Maria Borzan Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-07-27 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Laura Brunelli; Giulia Bravo; Federico Romanese; Marco Righini; Lucia Lesa; Anna De Odorico; Elisa Bastiani; Stefania Pascut; Stefano Miceli; Silvio Brusaferro Journal: Public Health Pract (Oxf) Date: 2022-04-07