Sexual behaviours, condom use and other contraceptive methods among 15- to 24-year-olds in Canada

Sexual and reproductive health are key issues for adolescents and young adults. Detailed national Canadian data about sexual behaviours, condom use and other contraceptive use by youth are lacking.

Data from the 2015/2016 Canadian Community Health Survey were used to examine sexual behaviours, condom and other contraceptive use, and reasons for non-use by selected characteristics.

In 2015/2016, 54.1% of 15- to 24-year-olds reported having had sexual intercourse in the past year. Among those who had intercourse in the previous year, the percentage of males (42.6%) who had multiple sexual partners was higher than the percentage of females (31.4%). Gay and bisexual males (67.4% and 72.5%, respectively) and bisexual females (47.5%) were more likely to report having had multiple partners than their heterosexual counterparts. Overall, 60.1% of youth reported using a condom the last time they had sex. This was more common at younger ages, among males and among those who reported having had sex with more than one partner in the previous year. When asked the reason for not using a condom, monogamy and use of another method, such as oral contraceptive pills, were each cited by nearly half of non-users. Some reasons for not using a condom also differed by age, sex and number of partners. For example, youth aged 20 to 24 were more likely to report not using a condom because they disliked them, whereas those aged 15 to 17 were more likely to report none were available. About one-fifth of 15- to 24-year-olds reported using neither a condom nor another method of contraception the last time they had sex. One in 10 currently sexually active females reported using emergency contraception in the past year.

A substantial proportion of youth in Canada are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy, and the findings have implications for comprehensive sexual health education and related policies and programs.