Risky sexual behaviour and contraceptive use among young women in the Czech Republic.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to obtain sexual and reproductive behaviour data of late adolescent women in the Czech Republic and to analyse the relationships between sexual behaviour and social, demographic, and behavioural factors.

METHODS

Data were obtained using the Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing method from 25 April to 2 May 2018 from a representative group of sexually active women aged 18-24 years. Results were statistically evaluated using sign schema on adjusted residuals.

RESULTS

A total of 525 women participated (median age of coitarche - 16 years, condom use with/without hormonal contraception - 65%, unprotected sex - 9.3% in the sexual debut). Anamnestic artificial abortion and sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates were 5.3% and 3.8%, respectively. Early coitarche, number of sexual partners, history of abortion, and STDs were positively correlated with current hormonal contraceptive use; the number of sexual partners and use of hormonal contraception were negatively correlated. Hormonal contraceptive users were more likely vaccinated against human papilloma virus (HPV) in comparison with women without any contraception. There was no correlation between risky sexual behaviour, contraceptive use, and socio-demographic factors.

CONCLUSION

Women with early coitarche and a high cumulative number of sexual partners have more unwanted pregnancies and STDs; moreover, those with regular coital activity without contraception are less frequently vaccinated against HPV.