Abstract
In the context of social and demographic studies of sexual and reproductive health, this paper discusses the situation of young people in Argentina, emphasizing the problems revolving around Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and the compliance with sexual rights. This work aims to study the calendars and characteristics of the onset of sexual life in young Argentinean people and to describe the current situation of knowledge, practices, and access related to sexual life. Based on data from the National Survey on Sexual and Reproductive Health ( 2013) we worked with the universe of young people between 15 and 29 years of age (n = 2,084 women, n = 1,872 men, without weighting) and analyzed the differences in the calendars of the onset of sexual life, as well as the knowledge and prevention of STDs by gender sex, age groups, household income and geographical regions.A national scenario was found featuring marked tendencies in the calendars of first sexual intercourse by gender sex, as well as in the knowledge about STDs. However, the analysis by region and household income in each gendersex showed high heterogeneities, which would indicate certain limitations in the access to sexual education and the effective compliance of people's rights, as well as an increased risk to contracting STDs in specific social groups.
Highlights
The onset of sexual life is a significant phenomenon in the definition of various aspects of the life cycle
The first sexual intercourse has been taken as an indicator of various sexual and reproductive health (SRH) realms
The age of the first sexual intercourse – and the set of variables associated with this event – has been an epidemiological indicator related to the health of the population and the risk of STDs13,14, it has been pointed out that protection in this first event does not necessarily imply a sexual life with daily use of contraceptive methods[15]
Summary
The onset of sexual life is a significant phenomenon in the definition of various aspects of the life cycle. The age of the first sexual intercourse – and the set of variables associated with this event – has been an epidemiological indicator related to the health of the population and the risk of STDs13,14, it has been pointed out that protection in this first event does not necessarily imply a sexual life with daily use of contraceptive methods[15]. From both perspectives, the SRH is traversed by the recognition and outreach of people’s rights[16]. It has been documented worldwide that access to contraceptive methods, comprehensive sexuality education and sexual health programs and policies that transcend mere reproductive issues (and build on a rights-based approach) are central to fostering healthy attitudes and practices[12,17]
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