Sexual behavior among U.S. high school students, 1990-1995

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• High rates of unintended pregnancy and STDs, including HIV, among adolescents are significant public health issues.
• These concerns drive interest in understanding trends in teenage sexual activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine trends in adolescent sexual activity and condom use in the United States during the 1990s.
• To identify disparities in sexual behavior among different demographic groups.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of nationally representative Youth Risk Behavior Surveys from 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1995.
• Data collected from students in grades 9-12.
• Examination of sexual experience, age at first intercourse, current sexual activity, and condom use.

Main Results:

• Sexual experience rates among high school students remained stable at 53-54% from 1990-1995.
• Condom use among sexually active students increased from 46% to 54% between 1991 and 1995.
• Black students showed higher rates of sexual experience, current activity, multiple partners, and earlier initiation of sexual activity compared to white students. Gender differences in sexual behavior were more pronounced among Black students.

Conclusions:

• Adolescent sexual experience levels did not increase in the US during the 1990s.
• A substantial proportion of high school students remain at risk for unintended pregnancy and STDs, including HIV.
• Disparities in sexual behavior exist among racial/ethnic groups and by gender.