Teens may be having sex later, but it could be risky business

Teens may be a little older when having their first sexual experience, but they also could be engaging in risky behavior when they do, a new study finds.

Preliminary findings from a report on teen sexual habits were presented at the American Public Health Assn. Social Justice Meeting and Expo Monday in Denver. Study author Nicole Maki Weller, a graduate student at Arizona State University in Tempe, found that teens age 15 to 19 are delaying their first time having sex, according to the National Survey of Family Growth, which compiles information on issues such as family life, marriage, divorce, pregnancy, infertility and use of contraception.

However, those teens may be taking chances with protection, since rates of sexually transmitted diseases are highest for that age group.

Weller found that teen girls are 30% more likely than teen boys to not use protection during their first sexual experience, no matter what type of sex education they had. African American teens are 40% more likely than white teens to forgo protection the first time they have sex, again regardless of the type of sex ed they received. Among influences that may have an effect: relationship status, age differences, and access to contraceptives.

However, timing of sex education may be a factor in whether it has an impact: “The younger one receives sexual education, the less likely you are to engage in risky sex,” Weller said in a news release.