Young people were asked whether they had ever had sex and, if so, at what age they first had sex. They were also asked about contraception methods and whether they had been taught how to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.
- Some 28% of young people have had sex. Among 17 year-olds, three-quarters (75%) have had sex.
- Almost half (49%) of 17 year-olds first had sex before the age of 16 years.
- Young people no longer attending school were six times more likely to have had sex than young people still attending school.
- Young people who have smoked cigarettes regularly were over four times more likely to have ever had sex than young people who had not smoked.
- Young people who drink alcohol were over four times more likely to have had sex than young people who do not drink alcohol.
- Young people who use marijuana weekly or daily were over six times more likely to have had sex than young people who had never used marijuana.
- One in eight young people (13%) who have ever had sex had not been taught how to avoid sexually transmitted diseases.
Last updated 5 September 2007
