Each year, there are approximately 19
million new STD infections in the United
States, and almost half of them are
among youth aged 15 to 24. Thirty-four
percent of young women become pregnant
at least once before they reach the age
of 20.
Vaginal, anal, and oral
intercourse place young people at risk
for HIV infection and other sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs). Vaginal
intercourse carries the additional risk
of pregnancy. In the United States:
-
In 2005, 47% of high
school students had ever had sexual
intercourse, and 14% of high school
students had had four or more sex
partners during their life.1
-
In 2005, 34% of
currently sexually active high school
students did not use a condom during
last sexual intercourse.1
-
In 2002, 11% of males
and females aged 15-19 had engaged in
anal sex with someone of the opposite
sex; 3% of males aged 15-19 had had
anal sex with a male.2
-
In 2002, 55% of males
and 54% of females aged 15-19 had
engaged in oral sex with someone of
the opposite sex.2
-
In 2004, an estimated
4,883 young people aged 13-24 in the
33 states reporting to CDC were
diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, representing
about 13% of the persons diagnosed
that year.3
-
Each year, there are
approximately 19 million new STD
infections, and almost half of them
are among youth aged 15 to 24.4
-
In 2000, 13% of all
pregnancies, or 831,000, occurred
among adolescents aged 15-19.5
In addition, young people
in the United States use alcohol and
other drugs at high rates.6
Adolescents are more likely to engage in
high-risk behaviors, such as unprotected
sex, when they are under the influence
of drugs or alcohol.7
In 2005, 23% of high school students who
had sexual intercourse during the past
three months drank alcohol or used drugs
before last sexual intercourse.1
This
information is from the CDC Healthy
Youth! Adolescent Health Website.
References
1.
CDC.
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United
States, 2005 [pdf 300K].
Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report
2006;55(SS-5):1–108.
2.
Mosher W, Chandra A,
Jones J. Sexual behavior and selected
health measures: men and women 15-44
years of age, United States, 2002.
Advance Data from Vital and Health
Statistics September 15, 2005;
Number 362:21-26.
3.
CDC.
HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, 2004.
Atlanta: US Department of Health and
Human Services, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention; 2005;16:10.
4.
Weinstock H, Berman S,
Cates W. Sexually transmitted diseases
among American youth: Incidence and
prevalence estimates, 2000.
Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive
Health 2004;36(1):6-10.
5.
Ventura SJ, Abma JC,
Mosher WD, Henshaw S. Estimated
pregnancy rates for the United States,
1990-2000: an update. National Vital
Statistics Reports; Hyattsville,
Maryland: National Center for Health
Statistics; 2004;52(23):7.
6.
Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration.
2003 National Survey on Drug Use &
Health.
7.
Leigh B, Stall R.
Substance use and risky sexual behavior
for exposure to HIV: issues in
methodology, interpretation, and
prevention. American Psychologist
1993;48:1035–1043.
8.
CDC.
Male Latex Condoms and Sexually
Transmitted Diseases [pdf 115K].
Atlanta: US Department of Health and
Human Services, CDC; January 2003.
9.
Crosby RA, DiClemente RJ,
Wingood GM, et al. Condom failure among
adolescents: implications for STD
prevention. Journal of Adolescent
Health 2005;36:534-536.
