CDC Release: While Teen Sexual Activity Increases, Contraceptive Use Decreases

The CDC just released it’s 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System.  This report has some startling new information about the number of high school teens having sex, and their contraceptive use.

47.8% of high school teens say they have had sex, which is an increase of 2% between 2005 and 2007.  During that same time period, the proportion of those who say they used a condom during their last sexual experience decreased 2%.

The survey also reports that 7.8% of high school teens have been forced to have sex and 9.9% report having experienced dating violence.  These percentages are relatively unchanged between 2005 and 2007. 

The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System is administered every two years to over 14,000 high school students nationwide and includes information on high school students’ sexual behavior, drug, alcohol and tobacco use.  (The study also includes everything from guns in school to dietary/obesity trends).

Some other stats from the YRBSS:

• 7.1% had their first sexual experienced before the age of 13
• 14.9% had four or more sexual partners during their lifetime
• 35% have had sexual intercourse with at least one person during the 3 months before the survey (currently sexually active)
• 38.5% of those that are currently sexually active did not use a condom during their last sexual intercourse, and only 16% are currently using the pill.
• 22.5% either used drugs or drank alcohol while having sex
• 89.% of students have been taught in school about AIDS or HIV, and 12.9% have been tested