The HIV epidemic and changes in the use of contraception among Norwegian adolescents

In order to describe the use of contraception and changes due to HIV/AIDS, a population-based survey of 3000 Norwegian adolescents aged 17-19 years old was conducted, with a response rate of 60.9%. At first intercourse, 29.2% of the girls and 33.3% of the boys reported using no contraception, while 44.4% of the girls and 39.7% of the boys reported using a condom. We observed an increase in the use of condoms in the years 1985-1988, which was reflected by 34.4% of the 19-year-olds having used a condom at their first intercourse, compared with 43.3 and 47.5% among the 18- and 17-year-olds, respectively. A logistic model showed that non-use of contraception was particularly associated with a low age at first experience of intercourse and consumption of alcohol immediately beforehand, while an increase in age at first intercourse and not having consumed alcohol before that occasion increased the likelihood of condom use.