National Trends In Sexual Activity, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Teenage Pregnancy

Since the 1960s there has been an increase in sexual activity amongst teenagers in Scotland. In particular, until 1960 sexual activity amongst under 16s was not very common (Bury 1984); however, since the 1960s increasing numbers of under 16s have been partaking in sexual relations. Between 1960 and 1990 the median age of first heterosexual intercourse has dropped from 21 to 17 amongst females and from 20 to 17 amongst males.  Over the same time period the proportion of teenagers reporting an experience of heterosexual intercourse before turning 16 has increased from 1% to 20% (McIlwaine 1994).

Trends in specific diagnoses made at genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in Scotland over the six year period 2000-2005 are shown below. Overall there were a total of 24,436 sexually transmitted infections diagnosed in 2005 (14,072 males and 10,364 females).