title: Gendered trends in early and very early sex and condom use in 20 European countries from 2002 to 2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexual activity is often initiated during the adolescent period, and previous research suggests that the age of first sexual intercourse and condom use are crucial determinants of later sexual health. This study examined trends in adolescent sexual behaviours from 2002 to 2010 in 20 countries across four geographical regions of Europe.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected by self-report questionnaires from 15-year-olds in classrooms during 2002, 2006 and 2010. Linear time trends were determined through logistic regression models, stratified for gender.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No linear trend over time was documented for most countries for sexual intercourse at the age of 13 or younger. Increased initiation among girls in Eastern Europe and decreased very early initiation among girls in Northern Europe emerged, along with a general increase in condom use in boys and most notably in girls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall prevalence of early and very early sexual intercourse initiation was quite stable in Europe between 2002 and 2010, while condom use increased. More detailed research and policy attention to the antecedents of non-condom use among young people is warranted; and further study of the relationships between age of sexual initiation and condom or pill use would be particularly valuable.
authors: 1 Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Ramiro
authors: 2 Addiction Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors: Beat
authors: B
authors: Windlin
authors: 1 Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Reis
authors: 3 Health Promotion, School of Health Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland saoirse.nicgabhainn@nuigalway.ie.
authors: Saoirse Nic
authors: SN
authors: Gabhainn
authors: 4 UMR 1027 Inserm - Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Jovic
authors: 1 Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
authors: Margarida G
authors: MG
authors: Matos
authors: 5 University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, United Kingdom.
authors: Josephine
authors: J
authors: Magnusson
authors: 6 Service Medical de Rectorat, UMR 1027 Inserm - Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France.
authors: Emmanuelle
authors: E
authors: Godeau
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D000297:Psychology, Adolescent; D012737:Sex Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*