Study Finds Canadian Youth at Risk of HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, September 9, 2003 – A major Canadian study of adolescent sexual health released today finds that although fewer teens are engaging in some kinds of risky behaviour, a significant proportion of teens are at risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI) as well as pregnancy.

The study surveyed more than 11,000 youth across Canada in grades 7, 9, and 11 about their knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, and other factors that influence sexual health.  The Canadian Youth, Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Study utilized two relatively new concepts originating with the World Health Organization: sexual health and healthy sexuality, which integrate the emotional, physical, cognitive, and social aspects of human sexuality. 

“Educators and policy makers are keenly aware that sexual health can significantly affect student success,” said Dr. Paul Cappon, Director General of the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC).  “The study shows that young people continue to see schools as their main source of information about sexual health.  Their scores on this survey indicate that students who rely on schools for such information are likely to know more about it than those who get their information elsewhere.”

The study was the first of its kind since the landmark 1989 Canada Youth and AIDS Study (CYAS), but it delves more deeply into the reasons why young people become sexually active.  A key aspect of the study is its correlation of behaviours with specific sociological factors (determinants) such as relationships with parents and involvement with school. 

“This is an excellent study that provides valuable insight into what students are thinking regarding HIV/AIDS and related health issues,” said the Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Health.  “I am concerned about the growing complacency that persists in the face of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections in Canada.  STIs can have devastating lifelong effects, and HIV/AIDS still kills.  We need to get that message across.”

CMEC administered the study and facilitated access to students through schools to complete the voluntary survey.

“The study provides a meaningful portrait of the sexual health choices being made by today's teenagers,” said Dr. William Boyce of the Social Program Evaluation Group at Queen's University.  “There are some encouraging as well as worrisome findings that should be examined by policy makers and program managers.  The depth and context provided by this survey give us a clearer understanding of what is happening in the lives of young people.”

 

Some of the findings:

  • More boys in 2002 than in 1989 are postponing their first experience of sexual intercourse, a decline of about 8% to 9% between the two surveys; however, the results for girls were the same on both surveys.
  • The proportion of youth reporting that they have had multiple sexual partners declined between the two surveys.
  • Of the girls in grade 11 who responded, 8% reported that they had been pregnant; of those in grade 9, 6% had been pregnant.
  • Knowledge about sexual health has declined somewhat since 1989.  For example, one-half of grade 9 students think that AIDS can be cured if treated early.

 

The study was conducted by researchers from four universities: Queen's, Acadia, Laval, and the University of Alberta.  The Social Program Evaluation Group of Queen's University coordinated the research activities, which were administered by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada and funded by Health Canada under the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS.

A point-form summary of some of the key findings follows. A full version of the report is available at www.cmec.ca/publications/aids/

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For more information or to arrange an interview, contact

CMEC
416-962-8100, ext. 241
CMEC Web site : www.cmec.ca   

Health Canada
613-957-1803
Health Canada Web site : www.healthcanada.ca

Selected Findings of the Canadian Youth, Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Study

Knowledge about Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS

  • Knowledge about sexual health has declined somewhat since 1989.  For example, one-half of grade 9 students think that AIDS can be cured if treated early.
  • About half of grade 11 students are not aware that people with STI may not have any visible symptoms.

 

Attitudes and Beliefs

  • Significant numbers of young people are too embarrassed to buy condoms or to discuss condoms with a partner.  At the same time, it is clear that young people today are much less likely to support discrimination against people with HIV/AIDS. 

 

Behaviour

  • More boys in 2002 than in 1989 are postponing their first experience with sexual intercourse, a decline of about 8% to 9 % between the two surveys (the results for girls are the same on both surveys).  About 20% in grade 9 and about 40% in grade 11 reported that they have had sexual intercourse at least once.
  • The proportion of youth reporting that they have had multiple sexual partners declined between the two surveys.
  • However, among those who have had sexual intercourse at least once, a greater proportion in 2002 said that they “often” had sex.  For example, in 2002, 27.1% of all grade 11 girls reported that they often have sex compared to 20.7% in 1989. 
  • As well, more than one-third of grade 9 students and more than one-half of grade 11 students said that they have had oral sex at least once.
  • Slightly less than half of grade 9 students said that they used a condom (only) the last time they had intercourse, but this proportion declined for grade 11 students, especially girls.
  • About one-quarter of grade 9 students said they used a condom and birth control pills, and this proportion increased to about one-third of grade 11 students.
  • Six per cent of grade 9 girls and eight per cent of grade 11 girls reported that they had been pregnant.

 

Factors That Influence Sexual Choices

  • Youth do not often cite fears about HIV, STI, or pregnancy as reasons not to have sex.  Not being ready, not meeting the right person, and not having the opportunity were all reported as stronger reasons.
  • Except for young students, their self-esteem and relationship with their parents were not correlated with higher or lower levels of sexual activity.
  • Young people who are taking sexual risks describe themselves as “party” people and are less involved in their schools.
  • Students who said that they have a learning disability were also more likely to take more sexual risks.
  • Girls in relationships in which the boys usually made the decisions about their joint activities were more likely to feel pressure to have sex.

 

Policy and Program Information

  • For the first time in Canada, the survey provides data on how young people use and perceive sexual health services and education.  The findings indicate that more should be done in these areas.
  • Almost one-quarter of grade 9 students would feel too embarrassed to see a doctor or nurse if they thought they had an STI. 
  • Slightly over one-half of students had visited a doctor or health clinic for a regular check-up in the last year.  However, only 34% of grade 11 girls said that they had seen a doctor about birth control or pregnancy.
  • 12% to 16% of students said that they did not know where young people were most likely to get condoms.
  • While students most often cited the school as their main source of sexual health information and using schools in this way was correlated to higher knowledge scores on this survey, only one-half of grade 9 students reported that they had received five or more hours of instruction over the past two years.