Knowledge of STI prevention high among young people - ESRI report

James Cox

Knowledge of the best method for preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is high among young people, but a significant minority of those sexually active do not use condoms, according to new research.

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has published 'Sexual Health Literacy and Sexual Health Behaviours among Young Adults in Ireland and Sexual Initiation and Sexual Health Behaviours among Young Adults in Ireland'.

They find that knowledge of the best method for STI prevention is high among young people aged 20, with over 80 per cent of young men and women correctly identifying condoms.

Knowledge of fertility (the period during the female menstrual cycle when pregnancy is most likely to occur) is much lower, with just 21 per cent of young men and 37 per cent of young women answering correctly.

A significant minority (nearly 40 per cent of young men, and 32 per cent of young women) do not always use either condoms or other forms of contraception when having sex.

Just over one-third of males and females first had sex by the age of 17, while a further 50 per cent first had sex before the age of 20. The remaining 15 per cent had not had sex by the age of 20.

There is little evidence of an association between sexual health literacy and condom and contraception use, with much stronger associations apparent for factors such as peer culture and relationship status.