Background: In order to understand and prevent unwanted health consequences related to sexual behaviour, we need to know the status and changes of sexual behaviour in adolescence.
Material and method: In 1997 and 2001, surveys were conducted including a total of 1665 adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 24 (response rate > 90%) in secondary schools in a small town in a rural district in Norway. We analysed frequencies for boys and girls and estimated the change in median age of first intercourse. Logistic regression analyses of median age and other health-related parameters were performed.
Results: A greater proportion of the respondents reported sexual experience in 2001 than in 1997. Girls have their first intercourse at a younger age than boys, often with older partners. 21% of the girls had experienced unwanted sexual situations. Use of contraception has increased, though insignificantly. Still, 11% of sexually active girls had had unwanted pregnancies. First intercourse during adolescence is clearly associated with other forms of behaviour that compromise health. However, a great and stable majority report a stable partner during adolescence.
Conclusions: In accordance with other studies we find changes in sexual behaviour over a short period of time among adolescents in rural Norway. Stable sexual relations may still be a protective factor.