Trends in sexual initiation and contraception use among Czech adolescents between 2002–2022
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216224%3A14230%2F25%3A00143400" target="_blank" >RIV/00216224:14230/25:00143400 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://cejph.szu.cz/artkey/cjp-202504-0003_trends-in-sexual-initiation-and-contraception-use-among-czech-adolescents-between-2002-8211-2022.php" target="_blank" >https://cejph.szu.cz/artkey/cjp-202504-0003_trends-in-sexual-initiation-and-contraception-use-among-czech-adolescents-between-2002-8211-2022.php</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.21101/cejph.a8664" target="_blank" >10.21101/cejph.a8664</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
Trends in sexual initiation and contraception use among Czech adolescents between 2002–2022
Original language description
Objectives: This study examined trends in sexual behaviour and the timing of sexual initiation among 15-year-old adolescents in Czechia between 2002 and 2022, with a focus on the age of sexual debut (15 and older; early at 14; very early at 13 or younger). It also investigated trends in condom and hormonal contraceptive use at most recent intercourse. Methods: Data were drawn from six nationally representative waves of the Czech Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, which was conducted between 2002 and 2022. Only 15-year-olds were included (N = 19,384). Descriptive trend analyses were conducted using survey weights, with subgroup comparisons by gender and age at sexual initiation. Results: The findings indicate a shift toward later sexual initiation, particularly among girls, with increasing proportions initiating at age 15 or older and declining initiation at age 14. A significant gender gap emerged in 2022, with fewer girls (13.9%) than boys (18.7%) reporting a sexual experience. The prevalence of very early initiation (age 13 or younger) remained stable over time, yet this group - especially boys - consistently accounted for a substantial minority of sexually active adolescents. Condom use declined from 81.2% to 69.9% across all initiation groups between 2014 and 2022, with the most persistent decline among very early initiators. Conclusions: The findings suggest a modest postponement of sexual debut among Czech adolescents and highlight a growing gender disparity in sexual activity by age 15. Persistent early initiation and declining condom use highlight the need for differentiated sexual health education strategies, particularly for younger initiators.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
50101 - Psychology (including human - machine relations)
Result continuities
Project
<a href="/en/project/EH22_008%2F0004583" target="_blank" >EH22_008/0004583: Research of Excellence on Digital Technologies and Wellbeing</a><br>
Continuities
P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)
Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Central European Journal of Public Health
ISSN
1210-7778
e-ISSN
1803-1048
Volume of the periodical
33
Issue of the periodical within the volume
4
Country of publishing house
CZ - CZECH REPUBLIC
Number of pages
7
Pages from-to
253-259
UT code for WoS article
001669496400004
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105027820813