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May 3rd, 2005, 10:35 PM
More than 1 in 10 report early sexual activity
CTV.ca News Staff
Girls with low self-esteem and boys who have a troubled relationship with their parents are more likely to have sexual intercourse at an early age, according to data from a national survey.
The National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) found that more than one in 10 adolescents -- 12 per cent of boys and 13 per cent of girls -- reported having sex by the time they reached 14 or 15.
While risky behaviours, such as drinking and smoking at an early age, were linked to early sexual intercourse for both genders, there were several differences in behaviour.
Low self-esteem at age 12 or 13 was a key factor in determining whether girls would have sexual intercourse at 14 or 15. However the opposite was true for boys.
Other factors exclusively linked to girls was the onset of puberty at 12 or 13, as well as weight. The study suggests that the odds of having intercourse by age 14 or 15 were twice as high for girls who were not overweight at ages 12 or 13.
For boys, their relationship with their parents at age 12 or 13, and whether they came from a low-income family, were key factors in determining their sexual behaviour a few years later.
For both boys and girls, smoking was linked to early intercourse. However, drinking was associated with early sexual activity in girls only.
The NLSCY study on early sexual intercourse is based on data from the 1996/97, 1998/99 and 2000/01. It surveyed 3,212 youths aged 14 or 15 in 1998/99 or 2000/01.
The findings of the data were released Tuesday by Statistics Canada, which also revealed the findings of a related study from the 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey.
The data from the CCHS suggest that the younger someone is when they have sex, the more likely they are to get a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
The survey found that four per cent of 15 to 24-year-olds who had sex at least once reported having an STD.
However, those who had had sexual intercourse by the age of 13 were more than twice as likely to report an STD than those who had waited until they were older, the report said.
The CCHS also looked at sexual activity, number of partners and condom use among 15- to 24-year-olds.
It found that an estimated 28 per cent of 15- to 17-year-olds reported having sexual intercourse at least once in their lives.
"By ages 20 to 24, the proportion was 80 per cent," StatsCan said.
As well, about one-third of sexually active 15- to 24-year-olds reported that they had had more than one sexual partner in the previous year.
As for condom use, the survey suggests that the older age groups were less likely to use latex during sex.
The survey says that the differences might be explained by the fact that the older age group are more likely to be in a long-term relationship, and may not perceive condom use as a concern.
Statistics Canada notes that in these self-reported surveys, the term "sexual intercourse" was not defined in the survey questions.
CTV.ca News Staff
Girls with low self-esteem and boys who have a troubled relationship with their parents are more likely to have sexual intercourse at an early age, according to data from a national survey.
The National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) found that more than one in 10 adolescents -- 12 per cent of boys and 13 per cent of girls -- reported having sex by the time they reached 14 or 15.
While risky behaviours, such as drinking and smoking at an early age, were linked to early sexual intercourse for both genders, there were several differences in behaviour.
Low self-esteem at age 12 or 13 was a key factor in determining whether girls would have sexual intercourse at 14 or 15. However the opposite was true for boys.
Other factors exclusively linked to girls was the onset of puberty at 12 or 13, as well as weight. The study suggests that the odds of having intercourse by age 14 or 15 were twice as high for girls who were not overweight at ages 12 or 13.
For boys, their relationship with their parents at age 12 or 13, and whether they came from a low-income family, were key factors in determining their sexual behaviour a few years later.
For both boys and girls, smoking was linked to early intercourse. However, drinking was associated with early sexual activity in girls only.
The NLSCY study on early sexual intercourse is based on data from the 1996/97, 1998/99 and 2000/01. It surveyed 3,212 youths aged 14 or 15 in 1998/99 or 2000/01.
The findings of the data were released Tuesday by Statistics Canada, which also revealed the findings of a related study from the 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey.
The data from the CCHS suggest that the younger someone is when they have sex, the more likely they are to get a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
The survey found that four per cent of 15 to 24-year-olds who had sex at least once reported having an STD.
However, those who had had sexual intercourse by the age of 13 were more than twice as likely to report an STD than those who had waited until they were older, the report said.
The CCHS also looked at sexual activity, number of partners and condom use among 15- to 24-year-olds.
It found that an estimated 28 per cent of 15- to 17-year-olds reported having sexual intercourse at least once in their lives.
"By ages 20 to 24, the proportion was 80 per cent," StatsCan said.
As well, about one-third of sexually active 15- to 24-year-olds reported that they had had more than one sexual partner in the previous year.
As for condom use, the survey suggests that the older age groups were less likely to use latex during sex.
The survey says that the differences might be explained by the fact that the older age group are more likely to be in a long-term relationship, and may not perceive condom use as a concern.
Statistics Canada notes that in these self-reported surveys, the term "sexual intercourse" was not defined in the survey questions.