The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a grave warning regarding a significant drop in condom use among sexually active teenagers since 2014, leading to a rise in unprotected sex and related health risks.

In a statement released on Thursday, the WHO’s Regional Office for Europe highlighted concerns revealed by a new report, which documents a decline in condom use among young people.

The report indicates that this trend is increasing the risk of sexually transmitted infections, unsafe abortions, and unplanned pregnancies among adolescents.

The findings stem from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, which surveyed over 242,000 15-year-olds across 42 countries in Europe, Central Asia, and Canada between 2014 and 2022.

The data shows a notable reduction in condom use, with the percentage of sexually active boys using a condom during their last intercourse falling from 70% to 61%, and the proportion among girls dropping from 63% to 57%.

Additionally, nearly one-third of adolescents reported not using any form of protection during their last sexual encounter, with socioeconomic factors also influencing these figures.

Teenagers from low-income families were more likely to report not using protection compared to their more affluent peers.

Dr. Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, attributed the decline in condom use to insufficient comprehensive sex education, which has faced criticism in recent years.

He stressed the importance of equipping young people with adequate knowledge to make informed choices about their sexual health, thereby improving their overall well-being.