Teen Sex Reduced, Condom Use Increased, Yet Risky Sexual Behavior Stays the Same

Thursday July 31, 2008

According to a new study released today in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, during the past 17 years, there has been a decrease in sexual activity among U.S. high school students and an increase in condom use.

In fact, the report, which used data from the CDC's National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, indicated that during 1991 to 2007, the percentage of U.S. high school students who

Ever had sexual intercourse decreased 12%
Had sexual intercourse with 4 or more persons during their lifetime decreased 20%
Were currently sexually active decreased 7%

Also, among students who were currently sexually active, the prevalence of condom use increased 33%.

However, the CDC also found that targeted efforts to prevent sexual risk behaviors are needed to eliminate disparities among black students, Hispanic students and male students as these groups may not have not experienced the same decreases in all of these behaviors. Additionally, according to this report, no changes were detected in the prevalence of sexual risk behaviors from 2005 to 2007 as it appears that many students still engaged in behaviors that place them at risk for HIV infection and STDs.

_{Source:
Balaji, A., Lowry, R., Brener, N., Kann, L., Romero, L., & Wechsler, H. (2008, Aug 1). Trends in HIV- and STD-Related Risk Behaviors Among High School Students -- United States, 1991—2007. MMWR, 57(30); 817-822.}

_{Photo Courtesy of Stockbyte / Getty Images}