The World Health Organization (WHO) on Thursday warned that: the declining use of condoms among young people is putting their health at significant risk. This alert is not just a call to action; it’s a wake-up call for societies worldwide. The decline in condom use is an alarming trend that has far-reaching consequences, not only for the individuals directly affected but for public health systems globally.
The WHO’s survey, as reported in the UK Guardian, nearly 250,000 15-year-olds in 42 countries and regions across Europe and Canada found that between 2014 and 2022, condom use among sexually active adolescents declined significantly, putting them at significant risk of sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions.
The report states that almost one-third of 15-year-olds reported that they did not use a condom or take the contraceptive pill. Although sexual activity rates remained relatively stable, with 20% of boys and 15% of girls reporting that they had had sex in 2022, the proportion who used a condom when they last had intercourse fell from 70% to 61% among boys and 63% to 57% among girls.
Over the past few decades, condoms have been a cornerstone of sexual health, serving as a dual-purpose tool in the fight against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. However, recent data suggests that this critical preventive measure is losing favor among the younger generation. Various factors contribute to this decline: complacency due to the availability of other contraceptive methods, a lack of comprehensive sexual education, the stigmatization of condom use, and a false sense of security due to advancements in HIV treatment.
This shift is particularly concerning in light of rising STI rates among young people. Diseases like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are resurging, with some strains becoming resistant to antibiotics. Without the protection that condoms offer, young people are more vulnerable to these infections, many of which can have long-term health consequences if left untreated. One of the critical failures leading to the decline in condom use is the lack of comprehensive sexual education. In many parts of the world, young people are not adequately informed about the importance of condoms, both for preventing pregnancies and for protecting against STIs. In some cultures, discussing sexual health is still taboo, leading to misinformation and risky behaviors.
Educational institutions, parents, and public health campaigns must step up their efforts to inform young people about the importance of safe sex. This includes not only promoting condom use but also addressing the misconceptions and cultural barriers that prevent young people from making informed decisions about their sexual health.
Governments and health organizations need to reinvigorate campaigns that promote condom use, particularly targeting young people. This includes leveraging social media and other platforms where young people are most active, as well as making condoms more accessible and affordable.
Moreover, public health messaging must adapt to the realities of young people’s lives today. This means acknowledging the complex factors that influence sexual behavior, including peer pressure, the influence of media, and the rise of dating apps that have changed the landscape of sexual relationships.
The WHO’s warning should not be taken lightly. It is a clear signal that even us here in Guyana are at risk of reversing the progress made in sexual health over the past few decades.
The cost of inaction is too high, and the consequences too severe, to ignore this warning.
