Early starters are at high risk of sexually transmitted infections

A recent study warns that teenagers who experience their first sexual intercourse at an early age run a greater risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which includes diseases such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and HIV.

Sexually transmitted infections are major causes of medical and psychological problems globally.

"This study shows that earlier initiation of sexual intercourse increases the odds of experiencing STIs," the researchers said.

"Also, as the age gap gets shorter, the odds of experiencing STIs increases. Our study suggests that it is important to consider the time period of first sexual intercourse and to reinforce a monitoring system along with the development of other preventive strategies," the study said.

For the study, the researchers from Yonsei University in Seoul used data from a Korean national survey of youth risk behaviours that is conducted annually by the Korean Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Responses of 22,381 adolescents with sexual intercourse experience were included for the analysis.

Approximately 7.4 per cent of boys and 7.5 per cent of girls reported having STIs. The researchers found that for both boys and girls, the chance of experiencing STIs increased as the age of first sexual intercourse decreased.