Title: [Alcohol, drugs and sex: a study of adolescent students]

POPLINE Document Number: 075471

Author(s):

Danz MJ
Vogels T

Source citation:

TIJDSCHRIFT VOOR ALCOHOL, DRUGS, EN ANDERE PSYCHOTROPE STOFFEN, 1991;17(2):60-9.

Abstract:

The Netherlands health care service for school age youngsters carried out a study querying a representative sample of 11,431 students aged 12-19 by questionnaire. The frequency of alcohol use, drunkenness, and the use of cannabis was assessed. At ages 11-13 about 80% of girls did not drink alcohol, but by age 18 slightly >20%. For boys the respective figures were a little >60% and <20%. Absence of drunkenness was almost 100% got girls aged 11-13 and close to 90% at age 18 (>90% and <70%, respectively, for boys). At age 18 about 75% of boys and about 90% of girls had not used cannabis. 6% had sexual intercourse at the age of 11-13, 16% at the age of 14-15, 36% at the age of 16-17, and 61% at the age of 18 and over in a sample of 10,732. Alcohol use and sexual experience were strongly correlated. Girls had a lower rate of sexual intercourse than boys, but girls who drank had the same rate and a higher rate than nondrinking boys. Girls and boys who used cannabis also had more sexual experience. Sexual experience and alcohol and cannabis use as well as age, gender, and religious upbringing were examined by the nonlinear variant CANALS method. Age was a significant factor in sexual experience but neither religion nor gender was as important. 48% of girls and 40% of boys had sexual experience when the variables of age and alcohol and cannabis use were combined. Condom use reached 63% in those who drank a little, 44% in those who drank a lot, and 65% among nondrinkers. About 20% of students with sexual experience had used cannabis. Condom use was 40% among never users of cannabis, 33% among ever users of cannabis, and 30% among steady users. 15% of nondrinkers had known their partner for 1 week or less. 1/3 of partners of nondrinkers had sex with another person compared with 1/2 of partners of drinkers. 6.5% of partners of monthly cannabis users injected drugs compared with only .7% of partners of nonusers of cannabis.

Keywords:

Netherlands
School Age Population
Surveys
Alcohol Use and Abuse
Drug Use and Abuse
Adolescents, Female
Adolescents, Male
Sex Behavior
Condom
IV Drug Users
Europe, Western
Europe
Developed Countries
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Sampling Studies
Studies
Research Methodology
Behavior
Adolescents
Youth
Age Factors
Barrier Methods
Contraceptive Methods
Contraception
Family Planning