Durex Study: 62% Of Malaysian Youth Had Their 1st Sexual Experience Before The Age Of 22
Durex Malaysia recently surveyed more than 1,000 youths aged between 18 and 30.
Malaysians aged between 18 and 30 appear to be more sexually active today than in 2016, revealed a recent study by Durex Malaysia
The study, titled Sexual Health and Intimate Wellness Survey, obtained information from more than 1,000 youths aged between 18 and 30 this year.
Another key finding was that a large majority of Malaysian youths had their first sexual experience before the age of 22 without proper knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy.
The results were revealed at the launch of Durex Malaysia's #COMETOGETHER campaign, which aims to encourage more open conversations around sex.
Durex Malaysia's launch of its #COMETOGETHER campaign on Tuesday, 9 August.
Image via Durex Malaysia (Provided to SAYS)
Besides sexual activity, the study also looked at young Malaysians' perceptions versus reality about their sexual encounters, as well as their knowledge of sexual and reproductive health
The survey was conducted online from April until May 2022 and involved 1,089 young Malaysians nationwide, comprising of 48% men and 52% women.
Some key findings of the survey that were unveiled during the launch include:
- 35.4% of youths claimed to have had sexual intercourse compared to only 18.8% in 2016.
- 62% of young adults had their first sexual experience at 22 years old or younger. The figure in 2016 was 42%.
- 40% of respondents have felt pressured to have sex before.
- 40% also did not find sex to be pleasurable.
As for knowledge of common myths, 31% of Malaysian youths did not know that a woman could get pregnant the first time she engages in sex.
31% also believed the myth that a woman cannot get pregnant during her period, whereas 20% were unsure.
On contraception and STIs, 35% of young Malaysians wrongly believed that wearing two condoms at the same time is better than one, whereas almost 40% also wrongly believed the myth that STIs are only transmitted through penetrative sex.
Image via Durex Malaysia (Provided to SAYS)
The survey brought to light the public's different levels of understanding around sex, contraception, and STIs, according to Reckitt Benckiser marketing director Tiffany Tang
Therefore, through the #COMETOGETHER campaign, Durex Malaysia hopes to give youths a more accessible and accurate portrayal of sex, intimacy, and safety.
"Sexual health conversations are crucial to ensure that Malaysian youths are empowered to make informed decisions about their sexuality. The fear tactics implemented in the past no longer work," said Tang on behalf of Durex, a brand owned by the Reckitt Benckiser company.
"We are hopeful that through the findings of this survey, more opportunities for open conversations on sex and sexuality can be done to create a safe space for Malaysian youths to share experiences, educate themselves, and ask questions."
Besides the condom, did you know that there are seven different types of contraceptives available in Malaysia?
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