‘Alarming drop’ in contraceptive use prompts WHO warning

It’s over, Zoomers!

The World Health Organization has warned of a “dramatic decline” in condom use among adolescents, which is expected to lead to a range of consequences, including rising rates of sexually transmitted infections and increased health-care costs.

A recent study found that nearly a third (30%) of 15-year-olds reported that they used neither a condom nor the pill the last time they had sex.

If they did use some form of birth control, they were less likely to use condoms than the pill.

Condom use among sexually active teenagers has declined significantly over the past decade.

Teens from poor or “low-affluence” families are more likely not to use condoms.

The lowest rate of condom use among girls was in Albania (24%) and the highest in Serbia (81%). The lowest rate of condom use among boys was in Sweden (43%) and the highest in Switzerland (77%).

However, the experts warned that the “worrying” trend of unprotected sex among school-age children they surveyed appeared to be a “widespread” problem across Europe.

This puts large numbers of young people at great risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies.

The issue could have “far-reaching consequences”, including increased risks of unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions and sexually transmitted infections across the continent.

“While the findings reported are discouraging, they are not surprising,” Dr. Hans-Henry P. Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, said in a statement.

Experts explain that a lack of sex education and contraceptive methods, as well as concerted efforts to hinder sex education, have led to this alarming health crisis.

“Age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education is still neglected in many countries and, even where it is available, has come under increasing attack in recent years on the grounds that it encourages sexual behaviour, when the fact is that providing young people with the right knowledge at the right time leads to the best health outcomes related to responsible behaviour and choices,” said Dr Kluge.

The World Health Organization recently issued a warning about the “urgent need” to address the problem.

“We need immediate and sustained action, based on data and evidence, to stem the tide of negative consequences, including rising rates of sexually transmitted infections, increased health-care costs, and – most importantly – disrupted educational and career paths for young people who don’t get the information and support they need,” Dr Kluge warned.

“Ultimately, we want to provide young people with a strong foundation for life and love.”

But this is not just a European problem.

US health officials have been warning that a rise in life-threatening sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is “out of control” as people of all ages stop using condoms.