[Sexual activity and contraception habits among adolescents over the last 14 years. An investigation among 9th grade pupils in the municipality of Viborg].
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the investigation was to illustrate changes in sexual activity, the use of contraceptive methods, and age at the first coitus during the last fourteen years.


METHODS
Twenty-one ninth grade classes in schools in the municipality of Viborg were asked to complete a questionnaire. Altogether 372 questionnaires were distributed and 344 pupils (92%) were entered in the investigation. Neither the teachers nor the pupils knew anything about the investigation before distribution. Identical questionnaires had been completed by the same age group in 1986 and 1993, which enabled us to compare the results and point out differences.


RESULTS
We found no changes in age at the first coitus. One third of the pupils had had their first intercourse, 15% before the age of 15. Previously girls were sexually more active than boys, this difference was now equalised. Most (53%) of the experienced pupils had not had coitus in the preceding four weeks, but, compared with 1986, more of the pupils had been sexually active within the preceding week. As found in 1993, the use of condoms had increased, which was still unchanged. There was a continuing decline in the use of the pill at the first intercourse. However, the pupils changed the condoms for the pills as they became more experienced. Ten per cent of the pupils still did not use any contraception at the first intercourse. Occasional use of contraception was more common. In 1986, 75% used contraception at every intercourse, that proportion had fallen to 51% in the year 2000.


CONCLUSIONS
Age at the first intercourse remained unchanged over the 14 years examined, and the change in contraceptional habits seen in 1993 had persisted, except that the proportion using contraception at every intercourse had decreased. The explanation for not using contraception was generally that the intercourse was unplanned. The girls were at a greater risk of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, as they, more often than the boys, used unsafe methods of contraception.
Boelskifte
Jane
J
Herning Centralsygehus, gynaekologisk obstetrisk afdeling. boelskifte@dadlnet.dk
Saval
Per Mogens
PM
Rasmussen
Kjeld Leisgård
KL
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D003075:Coitus; D003268:Contraception Behavior; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019529:Sexuality; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires