Some 45 per cent of sexually-active people between the ages of 16 and 18 do not use contraception despite having multiple partners, according to a new study.

The percentage increases to 65 per cent when it comes to 30 to 40-year-olds, Dr Neville Calleja director of the Directorate of Health Information and Research, said this afternoon.

He was speaking during the launch of Malta’s first ever nationwide survey that looked into sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviour. The survey was based on interviews, carried out in 2012, with 1,173 people aged between 16 and 40 and was representative of the population.

Results showed that over 40 per cent of 16 to 18-years-olds had had sexual intercourse – a figure that increased to about 94 per cent when it came to 30 to 40-year-olds.

The majority of women had sex the first time because they were in love while the majority of men felt it was a natural step in their relationship or they felt they were the right age.

Dr Calleja said he was concerned to see that some 15 per cent of women said they had sex the first time because they gave in to their partner’s wishes – highlighting the need for more empowerment.

The study also showed that almost 7 per cent of all respondents had been told they had a sexually transmitted disease.

Nine per cent of all men had problems getting and maintaining an erection, 22 per cent of women frequently suffered from pain or discomfort during intercourse but only nine percent of men and women sought professional help for their problems.

When looking at the youngest age group, the majority learnt about subjects like puberty, reproductive systems and sexual behaviour from school as opposed to from their parents at home.