Sexual behavior among U.S. high school students, 1990-1995.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT High rates of unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV infection, among adolescents are major public health concerns that have created interest in trends in teenage sexual activity. METHODS: Nationally representative data from Youth Risk Behavior Surveys conducted in 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1995 are used to examine levels of sexual experience, age at first intercourse, current sexual activity and condom use at last intercourse among students in grades 9-12. RESULTS: The proportion of students who reported being sexually experienced remained at 53-54% from 1990 through 1995, while the percentage of sexually active students who used condoms at last intercourse rose from 46% to 54% between 1991 and 1995. Black students were more likely than white students to report being sexually experienced, being currently sexually active and having had four or more lifetime sexual partners; black students also reported a significantly younger age at first intercourse. Gender differences in sexual behavior were found more frequently among black students than among white or Hispanic students. CONCLUSIONS: Although levels of sexual experience for high school students in the United States have not risen during the 1990s, a very high percentage of students continue to be at risk for unintended pregnancy and STDs, including HIV infection.

ABSTRACT

PIP Nationally representative self-reported data from Youth Risk Behavior Surveys conducted in the US in 1990, 1991, 1993, and 1995 were used to examine levels of sexual experience, age at first intercourse, current sexual activity, and condom use at last intercourse among students in grades 9-12. The surveys sampled students at public and private schools in the 50 states and the District of Columbia; 11,631 in 1990, 12,272 in 1991, 16,296 in 1993, and 10,904 in 1995. Schools with high percentages of Black and Hispanic students were sampled at a higher rate. The proportion of students who reported being sexually experienced remained at 53-54% during 1990-95, while the percentage of sexually active students who used condoms at last intercourse increased from 46% in 1991 to 54% in 1995. Black students were more likely than White students to report being sexually experienced, being currently sexually active, and having had 4 or more lifetime sex partners. The median age reported for first intercourse was 16.5 years in all years. In 1995, the median age at first intercourse was 15.0 years among Blacks, 16.2 years among Hispanics, and 16.7 years among Whites. Gender differences in sexual behavior were found more often among Black students than among White and Hispanic students.