The sexual behaviour of young people

Abstract

Chlamydia trachomatis is currently the major sexually transmitted disease (STD) in Sweden. In the early 1980s 20% of young clinic attenders were infected. Treatment policies, including partner tracing, instituted in 1988 reduced the prevalence to less than 5%. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) has also declined with the decrease of gonorrhea and chlamydia. The improvements can be associated with policy: the introduction of compulsory sex education at school in 1956 and the establishment of youth clinics in the 1970s with contraceptive counselling, screening, and treatment for STDs. a 1992 study of more than 9000 sexually active Swedish teenagers revealed that 99% considered the condom the most effective means against STDs, and 84% recognized chlamydia, HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, and genital warts as STDs. 75% of the subjects had engaged in coitus at first intercourse and 82% at the most recent encounter. 17% had had an STD, and 9% had been or had made somebody pregnant, mostly ending in abortion. In 1975, when the new abortion law was adopted, the teenage abortion rate was high at 30/1000 teenagers aged 15-19. Counseling and free contraceptives reduced the rate by 30% in the next 10 years. However, news about the possible risks of oral contraceptives in the 1980s again boosted the rate from 18 to 25/1000. Recent concerted efforts cut the rate anew. Preventive policies need to convey a positive attitude about sexuality and deal with the basic teenage problems of multiple partners and stress the importance of condom use. Condoms are effective only in stable relationships, and those with less education or those unemployed take more risks, using condoms and contraceptives less frequently. Girls from emotionally poor environments often engage in sex for emotional satisfaction. Openness and further knowledge is needed to ensure the safe sexual behavior of young people.