INFOGRAPHIC: Is South Africa's youth practising safe sex?

More than half of young people in South Africa are still not practising safe sex.

A recent study done by Durex through the Global Sex Survey interviewed 33 000 people between the ages of 18 and 24 from 42 countries. This is the age when most young people in South Africa venture to university and begin exploring adulthood and all its responsibilities. Unsafe sexual activities – not using protective contraception, having multiple partners – could lead to unplanned pregnancies and STIs that could hinder their careers or university experience.

Also read: INFOGRAPHIC: Shall we talk about... contraceptives?

19% of the participants were South African. From the South African participants, 54% had admitted to engaging in unsafe sexual behaviour at least once. The study also showed that a quarter of Generation Z began exploring and partaking in activities of sexual nature before the age of 16. These stats bring concern – to say the least – regarding topics of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. 

Also read: Is your teen sexually active?

Here are the results from the survey:

What are you thoughts on these statistics? Share your thoughts and comments by emailing us at chatback@parent24.com and we may publish your comments. 

Read more:

• Talking to your kids about HIV and AIDS
• Friends, money and condoms
• How parental television viewing affects teens sexual behaviour
• INFOGRAPHIC: Shall we talk about... contraceptives?

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