Only half of the population aged 16 to 40 know what the GU Clinic is and about a third have no clue that free services exist to test for sexually transmitted infections, a study has revealed.

The study – the first national survey delving into sexual knowledge, attitudes and behaviour – showed that seven per cent of respondents had contracted a sexually transmitted infection at some point.

It also showed that 55 per cent were aware of the genitourinary clinic and 63 per cent knew there was a service offering free testing and treatment for STIs.

14%

Proportion of women who said they first had sex because they gave in to their partner’s wishes

More than 40 per cent of people between the ages of 16 and 18 have had sexual intercourse. Photo: Shutterstock

This discrepancy highlighted that some knew about the services offered at the GU clinic, now located at Mater Dei Hospital, but did not link them to the clinic.

Neville Calleja, director of the Directorate of Health Information and Research, yesterday gave an overview of the results of the representative survey that looked at sexual health in those aged 16 to 40.

The research, collected in 2012, followed the long awaited Sexual Health Policy and the Sexual Health Strategy released in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

Health Minister Godfrey Farrugia said results would help guide policy to ensure the nation’s sexual health was strengthened and the necessary services were in place.

Dr Calleja said data, obtained through 1,173 questionnaires, showed that 40 per cent of 16- to 18-year-olds had sexual intercourse – a figure that increased to 94 per cent when it came to 30- to 40-year-olds.

Focusing on the younger group, results showed that 35 per cent had oral sex, 37 per cent had vaginal sex and 15 per cent had anal sex.

Teens started learning about sex education from the age of 12. The majority learnt about subjects like puberty, reproduction and sexual behaviour at school rather than home. But results showed teens wished their parents were more involved in their sex education.

Some 45 per cent of those between the ages of 16 and 18 did not use contraception, despite having multiple partners. The more “worrying” part was that the percentage increased to 55 per cent for those aged between 19 and 29, and to 65 per cent when it came to 30- to 40-year-olds, Dr Calleja explained.

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 felt they were the right age.

Dr Calleja said he was concerned to see that some 14 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.

Some 3.5 per cent of respondents were intoxicated the first time they had sex. About 17 per cent, mostly men, used alcohol or drugs to feel comfortable with their partner, 21 per cent had unprotected sex because they were under the influence and 12 per cent regretted their actions.

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

Attitudes and knowledge

• 69 per cent agreed a person should be in love when having sex.

• 72 per cent said that once they had sex the first time it was harder to say no the second time.

• 51 per cent, mostly women, disagree with one-night stands.

• 66 per cent incorrectly believe a doctor is legally obliged to tell the parents of a girl under 16 who requested the contraceptive pill.

• 88 per cent correctly stated it was against the law to have sex with a girl under 16.

• 60 per cent disagreed with the statement that condoms always prevented sexually transmitted infections.