Department of Health and Children and Crisis Pregnancy Agency launch the Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships’ Sub-Reports
NEW FINDINGS:
Early first sex among adolescents linked to high levels of regret and low use of contraception
10th April 2008: The Crisis Pregnancy Agency and the Department of Health and Children released the findings of Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships (ISSHR) Sub Reports today. The three ISSHR Sub-Reports provide in-depth analyses of the nationally representative, survey published in 2006. The sub-reports are entitled:
• Learning about sex and first sexual experiences
• Sexual health challenges and related service provision
• Sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviours – a further analysis.
The data from Learning about sex and first sexual experience shows that:
• nearly one third of men and a fifth of women, aged 18 to 24, had sex before they were 17
• young people were more likely to report that they regretted this decision when compared to those who waited until they were older
• 16.6% of men and 14.5% of women reported that they engaged in first sex at 16
• of those who engaged in first sex at 16, 43% of women and 19% of men expressed regret at the timing, saying that they “should have waited longer”
• 14.9% of men and 7.9% of women reported that they engaged in first sex under 16
• of those who engaged in first sex under 16, 59% of women, and 37% of men expressed regret.
Commenting on these findings, Katharine Bulbulia, Chair of the Crisis Pregnancy Agency said, “According to research, the majority of young people wait until they are 17 or older to have sex for the first time. However, for those who have had sex before 17, the research shows the impact of early first sex on the individual’s later sexual health and suggests that some young people are saying they are having first sex at a time in their lives that is not right for them. We need to equip young people with the knowledge and skills they need to delay their first sexual experience. The Crisis Pregnancy Agency is, in consultation with a range of other organisations and young people, currently planning a campaign to encourage adolescents to delay first sex, which we hope to launch later in the year”.
The research found that those who had sex before 17 were approximately half as likely to use contraception at first sex, compared to those who waited until they were older. International studies have found that use of contraception at first sex has a strong influence on subsequent behaviour. This explains why women who experienced vaginal sex before 17 are almost 70% more likely to experience a crisis pregnancy in later life and three times more likely to experience abortion in their lifetime than those who waited until they were older.
The Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney T.D., welcomed the launch of the reports: “The Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships is an important study. I know that the main report has been of practical assistance to the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, and I expect that people working in sexual health will find the sub-reports very insightful and useful to them in their daily work”.
For a copy of the ISSHR reports visit:
Learning about sex and first sexual experiences
http://www.crisispregnancy.ie/pub/ISSHRSubReportOne.pdf/
Sexual health challenges and related service provision
http://www.crisispregnancy.ie/pub/ISSHRSubReportTwo.pdf
Sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviours – a further analysis
http://www.crisispregnancy.ie/pub/ISSHRSubReportThree.pdf
ENDS/
For more information contact:
Orla McGowan
Education and Information Officer
Crisis Pregnancy Agency
01-8146292
086-3785366
Enda Saul
Programmes and Communications Manager
Crisis Pregnancy Agency
01-8146292
085-7172008
Notes to Editors
1. The main ISSHR report was released in November 2006. It is the largest survey on sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviour in Ireland. 7,441 adults (18-64) were interviewed. The study was carried out by the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland and the Economic and Social Research Institute. It was funded by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency and the Department of Health and Children. The ISSHR sub-reports are a more detailed analysis of the data. This press release is based on new findings.
2. The report showed that there were a number of factors associated with early first sex. Whilst all socio-economic groups report some degree of first sex before age 17, men and women who may have left school early, were more likely to experience first sex before age 17. Men with secondary-level qualifications are three times more likely than those with a third-level qualification to report experience of first sex before age 17.
3. In international studies, higher levels of alcohol and drug use have been related to an increased likelihood of adolescents engaging in intercourse and to earlier onset of sexual activity. However, the ISSHR study found that in Ireland there were no differences in use of alcohol or drugs between those who had sex before 17 and those who had sex after 17. In both categories, for people under the age of 30, 38% of men and approximately 20% of women report that they were under the influence of alcohol or drugs on the occasion of first sex.
4. The findings show that there was a significant difference in the type of relationship people had with their partner they first experienced sex with, depending on whether that first sexual experience was before 17 or after 17. Men and women who experienced first sex before age 17 were significantly less likely to agree that they had been in love, that sex seemed like a natural follow-on in the relationship and they felt ready or that it was the right time. They were more likely to be in a casual relationship with their first partner, and it was unlikely for them to have sex with that partner again.
5. The Crisis Pregnancy Agency has a suite of resources for parents, to assist them in talking to their children about relationships and sex. To get a copy of the ‘You Can Talk To Me’ DVD, for parents of 11-15 year olds, parents can text parent followed by their name and address to 50123. To get a copy of the ‘Parents, Make the Time to Talk’ supplement, for parents of 15 – 17 year olds, parents can text talk, followed by their name and address to 50123.
6. The Health Service Executive (HSE) is working on various sexual health information resources for young people. The HSE South is working with the Crisis Pregnancy Agency, the Department of Education and Science and the National Parents’ Council on the development of a booklet for 11-12 year old children, their parents and teachers, with information on puberty. This will be launched later in the month.
7. The Crisis Pregnancy Agency is working with the Department of Education and Science and the HSE on a Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) Pack, to support the delivery of the RSE programme to senior cycle students. The DVD and lesson plans will cover a range of topics including relationships, decision making, contraception and sexual health. In addition to this project, the Department of Education and Science has undertaken a range of initiatives to support the delivery of RSE in second-level schools.
