Background:

Sexual health among adolescents is crucial for their wellbeing and for global health, as reflected in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The aim of this study is learn more about the state of sexual health of adolescents in Spain and Asturias, and how it has evolved over time.

Methods:

Secondary data on sexual behavior, voluntary interruption of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and gender violence from 2011 to 2016 were collected and analyzed. Percentages and averages were used for sexual behavior and rates for the rest of the variables. The difference in the evolution was calculated using the differences-in-differences method and with the percentage increase or decrease for the rates.

Results:

In the period studied there was an increase in penetrative sex among adolescents (4% in Asturias and 2% in Spain), a decrease in condom use (-5% in Asturias and -10% in Spain) and an increase in the use of the contraceptive pill (12 percentage points in Asturias and 7 in Spain). In relation to the rates, sexually transmitted infections decreased in Asturias (-4%, -18% y -33%, respectively) and gonorrhea increased in Spain (+74%). Rates of abortion (-25% in Asturias, -34% in Spain) and female victims of gender violence (-9% in Asturias, -14% in Spain) decreased in both territories.

Conclusions:

Rates of sexually transmitted infections and abortion show great vulnerability in adolescence. It is urgent that we defend sexual rights with comprehensive, effective and universal interventions, such as compulsory sex education in schools and health care for sexual health.

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