Adolescent sexuality in Canada is not as well documented as adolescent sexuality in the United States; despite the proximity of the two nations, Canada has its own unique culture and generalizations about Canadian adolescent sexuality based on American research can be misleading. Because of this, several surveys and studies have been conducted which acquired information on Canadian adolescent sexuality. Surveys which provide this information include the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), the National Population Health Survey (NPHS) and the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY). According to information drawn from the Canadian Community Health Survey and the National Population Health Survey, in 2005 43% of teens aged 15 to 19 reported that they had had sexual intercourse at least once (down from 47% in 1996–1997).
Canadian data on sexual health is scarce; therefore, trend analysis and international comparisons are limited. Existing data shows that, overall, Canadian adolescents are taking more measures to protect their sexual health. However, challenges such as sexually transmitted infections, homophobia and inadequate sexual health education persist.
Although there is a lack of research on the effects of mass media which is specific to Canadian adolescents, studies have been conducted in similar cultures (such as the United States). The media has a reciprocal relationship with sexual behavior, and the type of influence differs by gender. Since Canada has a unique culture, some research findings may not apply.
Adolescents are exposed to diverse conditions and factors influencing their daily lives. Societal conditions, culture, the neighbourhood, family members, parents and peers interact with the adolescent, and adolescent sexuality is shaped by these factors. Research has not looked at the Canadian adolescent, so findings are inferred from those in other countries and may not represent the diverse Canadian culture. Research needs to be conducted in Canada, to provide an accurate picture of adolescent sexuality in Canada.
Sexual behaviour
Sexual intercourse Garriguet's (2005) analysis of the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth found that by age 14 or 15, about 13% of Canadian adolescents have had sexual intercourse. Young adolescents in the eastern provinces and Quebec were more likely to report being sexually active than were those in Ontario and the west.
Rotermann's review of the NPHS and CCHS found that in 2005, 43% of nationally surveyed teens aged 15 to 19 reported that they had had sexual intercourse at least once; these numbers were higher in Quebec and increasing between surveys in Nova Scotia. She also found that the number of adolescents who had sexual intercourse before the age of 15 had dropped from 12% in 1996–1997 to 8% in 2005.
Contraceptive use In the Canadian Youth, Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Survey created by Boyce and colleagues, it was found that among students in grades 9 and 11 between 2002 and 2003, 84% to 90% of males and females who had ever had intercourse reported being protected from pregnancy by using a combined oral contraceptive pill, a condom or both the last time they engaged in sexual intercourse. This survey was conducted nationally, representing every province except Nunavut.
In 2005, the percentage of adolescents aged 15 to 19 who reported that they had used a condom the last time they had sex was significantly higher in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Alberta and significantly lower in Quebec, compared with the national average. Nova Scotia was the only province in which condom use among adolescents increased significantly between 2003 and 2005.
Northeastern British Columbia Because of the presence of the oil industry, a study examined how a large population of transient, mostly male oil workers nearby affected adolescent sexuality in the nearby community of Fort St. John. The study was conducted because in 2005, northeastern British Columbia experienced a 10% increase in the incidence of chlamydia infections, exceeding the provincial average by 38%.
Goldenberg and colleagues' (2005) ethnography identified the mobility of the oil–gas workforce, binge partying, a high level of disposable income and gender–power dynamics as the main social, cultural, and structural factors affecting adolescent sexual behaviour in Fort St. John.
Northern Nova Scotia Langille, Hughes, Murphy, and Rigby's study of 15- to 19-year-old students was conducted in four Nova Scotia schools, using a cross-sectional self-report study to identify their sexual activity and risk behaviours. Langille and colleagues' survey found that the Nova Scotia adolescents studied were as sexually active as those studied nationally and provincially.
A noteworthy point was that 13% of the young women lacked effective contraception at last intercourse (compared to 11% nationally), which may indicate a need to increase sexual health education in the region.
Surveys Several surveys have been conducted in Canada examining a wide range of health-related topics, including surveys providing information about adolescent sexuality in the country.
National Population Health Survey The National Population Health Survey began its first 12-month cycle of data collection in early June 1994, and continues to do so every other year. This survey is a major part of the effort to improve the information available on health policies and programs in Canada during a period of economic downturn and budgetary pressure on the health-care system.
The survey produces both periodic cross-sectional information to monitor programs and longitudinal data to improve understanding of what determines good health.
Canadian Community Health Survey In 1991, the National Task Force on Health Information pointed out a number of problems with information on Canada's health system. Responding to these concerns, the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI), Statistics Canada and Health Canada joined in creating a Health Information Roadmap (the mandate eventually resulting in the creation of the Canadian Community Health Survey).
The Canadian Community Health Survey (or CCHS) is a cross-sectional survey collecting information on health status, health-care utilization and health determinants for the population.Statistics Canada. (2011). Canadian Community Health Survey - Annual Component (CCHS). It draws from a large sample of the Canadian population, and is designed to provide reliable estimates at the regional level. The CCHS was created to accomplish the following objectives: Support health-surveillance programs by providing data at the national, provincial and intra-provincial levels Provide a single data source for health research on small populations and rare characteristics Timely releases information easily accessible to a diverse community of users Create a flexible survey instrument (including a rapid-response option) to address emerging issues related to the health of the population
National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth The National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY) is a long-term study of Canadian children which follows their development and well-being from birth to early adulthood. Begun in 1994, it is jointly conducted by Statistics Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.
The study has been designed to collect information about factors influencing a child's social, emotional and behavioural development, and to monitor the impact of these factors on the child's development over time.Statistics Canada. (2010). National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY). The survey covers a comprehensive range of topics, including the health of children; information on their physical development, learning and behaviour and information about their social environment (family, friends, schools and communities).
Sexual health For many Canadians the first sexual activities occur during adolescence, making it the time frame receiving the most attention from sexual health researchers. Compared to previous generations, the majority of contemporary Canadian adolescents are taking more precautions for their sexual health (by increased contraceptive use and seeking abortion when necessary). Trends resulting from such behaviours are declines in pregnancy and the birth rate. Researchers state that behaviours encouraging sexual health can prevent problems such as sexually transmitted diseases and sexual assault. More importantly, it promotes satisfying relationships and a positive sense of self.
Comparisons with similar countries A 2001 study by Maticka-Tyndale analyzed the sexual health status of Canadian adolescents in comparison to other developed countries. Canadian rates of teenage pregnancy and birth appeared more favorable than those of the United States, and about the same as Australia, England, and Scotland. However, Canada's statistics are less favourable than the northern European countries when comparing teen birth rates, improvements and research. Countries such as Sweden and France already have low pregnancy rates, and are experiencing greater decreases than Canada. Canada is also behind the United States, England, France and Sweden in research to improve current policies. Maticka-Tyndale states in her research that Canada tends to borrow data from similar countries, in the belief that those statistics also apply to its own citizens.
Sexually transmitted diseases Research on sexually transmitted diseases shows that older infections (such as syphilis) are close to elimination in Canada. Taking their place are diseases such as chlamydia and human papillomavirus (HPV), affecting women more than men. Both male and female adolescents tend to overestimate the prevalence of HIV, and underestimate that of the commoner HPV and chlamydia. Although Canada has fewer sexually active teens than Great Britain, France and Sweden, it has the same rate of teen pregnancy and gonorrhea and a higher rate of chlamydia. The chlamydia rate in Canada is highest among those aged 15 to 24; this indicates a further need for self-protection on the part of Canadian teenagers. In addition, long-term adolescent relationships result in a reduced use of condoms and reliance on other contraceptive methods, increasing the risk of STD. Current levels of STDs are an area of concern among sexual health service providers in Canada.
Sexual abuse Several small-scale and regional studies in Canada have found that female and gay adolescents experience forms of sexual abuse such as unwanted sexual comments and sexual harassment. Adolescents who are gay, lesbian or transgender continue to face harassment and violence in their schools. Canadian studies have found that these sexual minorities feel higher levels of distrust among health and social service providers. These adolescents have difficulty accessing available sexual health services due to homophobia on the part of Canadian people and institutions. The victim of sexual abuse typically knows their perpetrator. More importantly, sexual abuse is a predictor of behaviors such as intercourse at a younger age and non-use of condoms.
Sexual health awareness