Misguided views prompt young people to engage in unsafe sex

YOUNG people in Ireland, and across the world, are still engaging in unsafe sex because of misguided views, according to new research.

A review of 268 studies, published today, finds that factors influencing sexual behaviour among 15 to 24-year-olds are the same across the world.

Using a condom is decided on irrelevant factors, such as physical appearance and social standing and whether a person is judged to be “clean” or “unclean”.

Young women are also unwilling to carry condoms for fear of appearing promiscuous, while young men face huge peer pressure to have sex.

The research reflects the findings of a nationwide study in Ireland, published last month, which said alcohol and drugs were factors in young people not wearing condoms.

That report, entitled The Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships, found infections from sexually transmitted diseases increased from 2,228 in 1989 to nearly 10,500 in 2003

The researchers of today’s report, led by Dr Cicely Marston, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, write in The Lancet medical journal: “The social importance for men of achieving penetrative sex, particularly for the first time, may mean they prioritise the experience of sex over any risks, and women may not suggest condom use for fear of appearing too experienced, or wish to strengthen the relationship by complying with their partners’ ideas.”

The data comes from a number of countries, including Britain, Australia, Mexico and South Africa.

Dr Marston said: “Our findings help explain why many HIV programmes have not been effective.

“Researchers have identified many reasons for young people not using condoms beyond the most obvious: ignorance and barriers to access to contraception.

“Therefore, programmes that merely provide information and condoms, without addressing the crucial social factors identified are only tackling part of the problem.”

The report also found that in Far Eastern countries such as the Philippines and Thailand, young men often go to brothels together in groups.

That finding reflected data contained in Ireland’s national sex-survey report which said the number of Irish men using prostitutes has increased significantly over the past decade.

According to the Irish survey, one in 16 Irishmen had used prostitutes. However, those most likely to pay for sex were older men and single men.