‘First time’ at 16 for most Swiss, sex survey finds
Most of those surveyed were in a steady relationship.
Keystone
A survey of young Swiss people has found that 16 was the average age for the first sexual encounter – typically with a condom. One in ten reported having a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
The survey, conducted by the university hospitals of Lausanne and Zurich, queried 7,142 people aged 24-26. Part of the goal was to see how changes in technology, like dating apps and sexting, have affected the Swiss youth who grew up with them.
Nearly three-quarters reported having sent texts, photos or videos with sexual content, and 22% (mainly male) said they had passed “sext” messages on to third parties.
The survey also found that women were more likely than men to have had unwanted sexual contact, namely 53% compared to 23%. The reason cited was wanting to maintain a good relationship with a partner. In addition, 16% of women reported sexual abuse or rape, compared with 2.8% of men.
On average, respondents had had their first sexual contact at just under age 17. Nearly all respondents (93%) said they had used contraception, in most cases a condom. Most participants said they currently use either condoms or the pill.
“It’s good to see that such a high proportion of young adults are using protection, although of course a 100% rate would be desirable,” noted Brigitte Leeners of Zurich’s university hospital in a news release on Thursday.
Despite the widespread use of condoms, about one in ten respondents said they had an STD, most commonly chlamydia. Almost half (45%) had taken an HIV test.
The survey found that the internet plays a major role in the sex lives of young adults in Switzerland: 62% of men and 44% of women surveyed had already used a dating platform. Nearly half (48%) of the men and 43% of the women had met a partner online, and 35% and 22%, respectively, had had sex with someone they met via the internet.
At the time of the online survey, about three-quarters of the participants were in a steady relationship that had started at age 22 on average. Nearly all (95%) had had at least one partner, and most reported between two and seven.
More
More
In terms of sex ed, schools do their own thing
This content was published on
In this particular Basel suburb, it kicks off with a game resulting in giggles and some pink cheeks. Given a word on a card, each student has to define it without actually using the word. “This gives us a chance to see what terminology the students are familiar with,” explains Cécile Notter of the Basel…
Swiss price watchdog slams excessive prices for generic medicines
This content was published on
The cheapest generic medicines available in Switzerland are more than twice as expensive as in other countries, according to a study by the Swiss price watchdog.
Nature should not figure in net zero calculations: academic study
This content was published on
The natural removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by forests or oceans should not be included in the net-zero balance of climate protection measures, argue researchers.
This content was published on
None of the 15 major Swiss retail banks is meeting international climate and biodiversity targets, according to a ranking by WWF Switzerland.
This content was published on
Nestlé's new CEO Laurent Freixe, has presented plans for the future of the world's largest food company, after his first few weeks in office.
Swiss foreign minister calls on Moscow to end Ukraine war
This content was published on
It's high time Moscow ended its war against Ukraine, Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis tells the UN Security Council.
This content was published on
The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
This content was published on
Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
Party calls for more action over violence on women
This content was published on
The women’s branch of a Swiss political party has suggested a five-point action plan, following two recent serious attacks on women.
One in ten workers seeking help for sexual harassment is a man
This content was published on
The Zurich Office for Gender Equality has found that men make up 10% of those seeking help for sexual harassment on its dedicated internet platform.
This content was published on
Fear of another pregnancy, the turmoil surrounding abortions, a lack of information concerning contraceptive methods: these were the problems faced by young couples in 1965, when the clinic was opened to help people in distress. At that time, coitus interruptus – withdrawing before ejaculation – was the most common form of birth control. Women who…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.