Visual credit: Hidaya Tchassanti — Artistic director
Article written by Tom Chazelle Schulze — Journalist
And rapport published by LetsStopAIDS October 6 last reveals alarming trends in the sexual practices of young people aged 18 to 24 in Canada. The analysis finds that, in this age category, only 24% of people would have used a condom during their last sexual intercourse, an alarming drop of 29% since 2020. This significant drop contributes to the increase in vulnerability to infections sexually transmitted (ITS) and reflects the state of failing sex education in the country.
Risky behaviors for the sexual health of young people
The worrying drop in condom use puts young adults at increased risk of contracting STIs, including HIV, the virus that causes like. Canada is also the only G7 country to have recorded an increase in HIV transmission rates in recent years.
Several factors explain this trend. First of all, an erroneous perception of the risks linked to STIs plays a determining role. According to the report of LetsStopAIDSmany young people still primarily associate condoms with preventing unwanted pregnancies, neglecting their crucial role in protection against STIs.
This lack of knowledge is accompanied by a lack of regular screening: 70% of young people surveyed say they have never been tested for STIs or HIV, and among those who have been diagnosed, 34%. did not seek treatment.
Shamin Mohamed Jr., founder of LetsStopAIDS, notes that for many of them, condoms are perceived as being expensive and difficult to obtain. Even on college campuses, access to condoms can be a problem, forcing students to go to specific locations, such as health centers or student centers, to obtain free condoms. Additionally, it discusses young adults’ embarrassment or lack of confidence when it comes to purchasing condoms, which further discourages them from using them.
Jessica Wood, head of research and project development for the Sex Education & Information Council of Canada (SIECCAN), explains that a growing number of young people seem to worry less and less about STIs, which could explain the decline in condom use. Furthermore, many of them turn to other contraceptive methods, such as hormonal contraception. However, they are not always aware that these methods of contraception do not necessarily protect against STIs.
The shortcomings of declining sex education
According to Mohamed Jr.’s findings, the problem lies in sex education in Canadian schools. Indeed, the information relayed in these courses is often based on alarmist speeches, which create fear of pregnancy and STIs. Information is not presented in an engaging or relevant way for young people, which can shut down conversations and hinder the development of healthy relationships.
Similarly, Wood describes inconsistent education across the country. Since sex education is not standardized, it varies greatly between regions and educational institutions. This inconsistency could contribute to gaps in knowledge and understanding of topics related to sexual health, including consent, STI prevention and safe sexual practices.
She cites the COVID-19 pandemic as a key factor affecting the quality of sex education. Indeed, the pandemic would have interrupted access to adequate sex education, with the cancellation of many programs or their relegation to the background, in order to prioritize other educational needs deemed more important. A large cohort of young people has therefore been deprived of crucial information for good sexual health. This group would need additional education and resources to fill this gap.
Take action to reverse the trend
To counter the alarming decline in condom use and the increased risks of STIs, the two experts say it would be imperative to act quickly and effectively. A first solution would be to make condoms free and accessible in places frequented by young people, such as university campuses, where financial barriers and social embarrassment limit their use. LetsStopAIDS recommends targeted distribution to encourage adoption.
According to the two organizations, sex education must be reformed to meet the needs of young people. By integrating inclusive and interactive programs, such as those of LetsStopAIDSwhich adopt fun and engaging approaches, it would be possible to significantly improve understanding of the issues related to STIs and HIV prevention. According to Mohamed Jr., these workshops “show a notable increase in knowledge about HIV, going from 31% to 72% among participants.”
Finally, according to Wood, it is crucial to combat the stigma surrounding sexuality and STIs, particularly through awareness campaigns. “Including digital literacy in sex education could enable young people to decipher erroneous messages conveyed online and in the media, thereby strengthening their ability to make informed choices,” she says.
Experts say a coordinated approach, involving schools, health organizations, families and governments, is essential to building an environment conducive to responsible sexual behavior. By combining these efforts, Canada could reverse the current trend and guarantee better sexual health for its youth.
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