Results of the 2013 BC Adolescent Health Survey Sexual Health of Youth in BC

BC Adolescent Health Survey ▪29,832 surveys were completed ▪1,645 classrooms ▪56 school districts ▪325 PHN’s and nursing students

Youth in British Columbia ▪Diversity in –sexual orientation and gender identity –ethnic and cultural background –where youth lived

Sexual ActivitySexual Activity

No sexual activity ▪75% of male and female youth had not had oral sex or intercourse ▪Younger youth were more likely to have not been sexually active.

Youth were less likely to have been sexually active if they: –Were connected to family and school –Had a supportive adult inside the family –Felt good about themselves and their abilities Note: Sexual activity refers to oral sex and/or intercourse.

Oral sex ▪23% had ever had oral sex (26% in 2008)

Intercourse (sex other than oral sex or masturbation)

Sexual Health & Risk Behaviours

First Intercourse, Partners, and Substance Use

Age at first intercourse

Safer sexual health practices among older youth Sexual health and age of sexual debut (among youth aged 16 to 19 who ever had intercourse) First had intercourse at age 14 or younger First had intercourse at age 15 or older Condom or other barrier used the last time had intercourse 59%72% Effective contraception used the last time had intercourse 80%90% Note: Effective contraception refers to the use of condoms, birth control pills, Depo Provera, or another doctor- prescribed method (e.g., IUDs, birth control patch, birth control ring).

Number of sexual partners ▪53% of youth who ever had intercourse had one sexual partner in the past year ▪20% had three or more partners in the past year

Gender of sexual partners

Substance use and sexual activity Note: The difference for males between 2003 and 2008 was not statistically significant.

STIs and Pregnancy

Efforts to prevent STIs ▪17% of youth who ever had oral sex used a condom or other barrier the last time they had oral sex ▪69% of youth who ever had intercourse used a condom or other barrier the last time they had intercourse

STIs

Efforts to prevent pregnancy Efforts made by youth or their partner to prevent pregnancy the last time they had sex (among those who ever had intercourse) MalesFemales Condoms69%61% Birth control pills45%51% Withdrawal33%38% Depo Provera1%3% Not sure4%2% Note: Youth could choose more than one response.

Pregnancy

Dual method use ▪35% were dual method users the last time they had intercourse ▪35% used a condom or other barrier exclusively ▪17% used a hormonal contraceptive or IUD exclusively ▪14% used neither a barrier nor hormonal contraceptive or IUD

Trends

Improvements in sexual health  34% first had intercourse before the age of 15  3% used no contraception the last time had intercourse  69% used a condom the last time they had intercourse  24% used drugs or alcohol last time they had intercourse  5% had ever been pregnant or caused a pregnancy  3% ever had an STI Among those who had ever had intercourse:

Regional Comparisons

Risk and Protective Factors

Risks to sexual health ▪Living situation ▪Home environment ▪Social environment ▪Marginalization ▪Violence exposure

Food insecurity/Poverty

Being a refugee * Interpret with caution as the standard of error was relatively high but still within an acceptable range.

Reducing inequities in sexual health ▪Students who were: –Connected to family and school –Had supportive adult and peer networks –Were engaged in extracurricular activities –Had aspirations for the future all reported healthier sexual health practices.

Supportive adult

Vulnerable groups Note: Effective contraception refers to the use of condoms, birth control pills, Depo Provera, or another doctor- prescribed method (e.g., IUDs, birth control patch, birth control ring).

Youth’s Suggestions for Improving Sexual Health

Youth’s suggestions for improving sexual health “You guys can’t keep teaching abstinence only sex ed. You need to teach about different kinds of birth control and condoms. So many people do stupid stuff because they didn’t know another way existed.” “I think there needs to be more of the youth clinics around and they should be open more hours (for example, the one near my school is only open 3 days a week, 3-4 hours at a time.”

Concluding remarks ▪Youth are engaging in safer sexual health practices, and trends indicate improvements in this area. ▪Identified groups of young people who may be experiencing sexual health risks or inequities. ▪Suggested areas where young people may need more support and the protective factors that might contribute to healthy sexual development.

Resources

Sexual health posters for youth

Grants up to $500 for youth-led projects

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