Facts and Statistics: Sexual Health and Canadian Youth
Condom Use
Because the consistent and proper use of latex condoms is an effective birth control method and reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections including HIV, Chlamydia, HPV, HSV, hepatitis B, and gonorrhea (see Holmes, Levine, & Weaver, 2004; SIECCAN, 2004a), levels and consistency of condom use among sexually active teens is a key sexual health indicator for Canadian youth.
Among teens and young adults, females are less likely than males to report condom use at last intercourse.
– Canadian Community Health Survey, 2003.
Participants in the 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) were asked "Did you use a condom the last time you had intercourse?" As indicated in the table below, a majority of Canadian teens and young adults report that they used a condom the last time they had intercourse.
These data clearly indicate that among teens and young adults, condom use declines with age. This is an important finding in that it suggests that older teens may be at higher risk for sexually transmitted infection because of their relative lack of condom use.
There are a number of possible reasons why older teens may be less likely to use condoms, including the propensity to abandon condom use once oral contraception is initiated (For further data and analysis of the relationship between the use of condoms and oral contraception see SIECCAN, 2004b).
It is also notable that females are less likely than males to report condom use at last intercourse. In her discussion of the findings, Rotermann (2005) suggests that part of this gender discrepancy in responses may be due to some females thinking that they were being asked if they had used a female condom.
Additionally, many studies have shown that the average age of sexual partners tends to be older among teenage and young adult females compared to teenage and young adult males and, as a result, if males are less likely to use condoms as they grow older, this will impact on the likelihood of their younger female partners reporting condom use.
Percentage of Canadian 15-17, 18-19, and 20-24 Year-Olds Who Report They Used a Condom at Last Intercourse
| 15-17 | 18-19 | 20-24 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 85.2% | 74.8% | 60.9% |
| Female | 71.2% | 60.0% | 51.2% |
Note: Percentages include only those participants who were unmarried and/or had more than one sexual partner in the previous 12 months.
Source: Rotermann, M. (2005). Sex, condoms and STDs Among Young People. Health Reports, 16(3), 39-46
There is growing evidence indicating that in order to significantly reduce the probability of STI, condoms must be used consistently and properly (Paz-Bailey et al., 2005). There is, however, a dearth of research investigating the consistency of condom use among Canadian youth.
Although the number of teenage women participating in the 2002 Canadian Contraception Study (Fisher, Boroditsky, & Morris, 2004a, b) was small, data on condom use patterns among those aged 15-18 is suggestive.
While 100% of the 15 year-olds reported using condoms "usually" or "always", the percentage of 16 (60%), 17 (53%), and 18 (50%) year-olds who did so declined with each year as sexually active females became older.
Condom Use in the Last Six Months Among Sexually Active Females 15-18 Years of Age Participating in the 2002 Canadian Contraception Study
| Age | ||||
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Never | 0% | 18% | 22% | 27% |
| Sometimes | 0% | 23% | 23% | 20% |
| Usually | 25% | 24% | 20% | 12% |
| Always | 75% | 36% | 33% | 38% |
Source: Fisher, W., Boroditsky, R., Morris, B. (2004). The 2002 Canadian contraception study: part 2. JOGC, 26, 646-656.
In sum, for Canadian youth, levels and consistency of condom use are highest among younger teens and then decline steadily thereafter as teens grow older. This likely explains in part the persistently high STI rates among teen and young adult Canadians.
