Overall little change from 2011 data

On June 12, 2014, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the 2013 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The YRBS, which is released biennially, tracks a variety of health risk behaviors, including sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV, among a representative sample of high school students.

The 2013 national YRBS data is based on 13,583 usable questionnaires completed in 148 regular public and private schools with students in at least one of grades 9 through 12 in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Sexual behavior data reported for 2013 shows relatively little change from 2011. However, disappointingly, the number of youth reporting use of condoms has declined by 4% in the past ten years, from 63% in 2003 to just 59% in 2013.

The overall trend of little movement among the reported sexual behaviors, some of which are highlighted below, demonstrates the continued need for investments in comprehensive sexuality education and access to sexual health care and services.

Key results for sexual behavior in the 2013 YRBS included the following:
 

• 47% of students reported ever having had sexual intercourse (47% in 2011)

• 34% of students reported being currently sexually active, defined as having had sexual intercourse in the three months prior to the survey (34% in 2011)

• 6% of students reported having had sexual intercourse before age 13 (6% in 2011)

• 7% of students reported having ever been physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to (8% in 2011)

• 10% of students who dated or went out with someone during the 12 months before the survey had been hit, slammed into something, or injured with an object or weapon on purpose by someone they were dating or going out with one or more times during the 12 months before the survey (10% in 2011)

• 10% of students nationwide who dated or went out with someone during the 12 months before the survey had been kissed, touched, or physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to by someone they were dating or going out with one or more times during the 12 months before the survey (10% in 2011)

• 59% of currently sexually active students reported that either they or their partner had used a condom during last sexual intercourse (60% in 2011)

• 25% of currently sexually active students reported that either they or their partner had used birth control pills; an IUD or implant; or a shot, patch, or birth control ring to prevent pregnancy before last sexual intercourse (23% in 2011)

• 9% of currently sexually active students reported that either they or their partner had used both a condom during last sexual intercourse and birth control pills; an IUD or implant; or a shot, patch, or birth control ring to prevent pregnancy before last sexual intercourse (10% in 2011)

• 14% of currently sexually active students had not used any method to prevent pregnancy during last sexual intercourse (13% in 2011)

• 13% of students reported having been tested for HIV (13% in 2011)

• 85% of students reported having been taught about AIDS or HIV in school (84% in 2011)

The complete 2013 YRBS, including more information on the data above and on many other teen health behaviors, can be found at www.cdc.gov/yrbs.