Despite high rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and teenage pregnancies, more than a third of New Zealanders are still indulging in unsafe sex, according to new figures.
The second phase of the 2003 Durex global sex survey released today said 37 per cent of New Zealanders admitted they had unprotected sex with a new partner in the last 12 months.
Among young people, the rates were even higher, with up to 42 per cent of males and 44 per cent of females aged 16-20 admitting to unsafe sex in the last year.
While more men (42 per cent) said they would have sex without a condom with a new partner, more women were doing so.
Of women surveyed, 39 per cent admitted having unprotected sex in the last year, compared with 35 per cent of men.
Family Planning Association executive director Gill Greer said it was worrying that so many people -- particularly young people -- were complacent about their sexual health.
"As well as having a high number of STIs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, New Zealand is currently ranked third highest for teenage pregnancies out of the OECD countries, behind the United States and Britain," she said in a statement.
"While there are no quick fix solutions for the negative sexual health statistics, wearing a condom is by far the most effective way to reduce the risk of an unwanted pregnancy or contracting an STI or HIV/Aids."
Globally, New Zealanders rated tenth equal with Croatia for practising unsafe sex, behind the worst offenders, the Czech Republic (65 per cent), Bulgaria (62 per cent) and China (59 per cent).
Italian lovers were the most cautious, with only 19 per cent admitting they had practised unsafe sex.
- NZPA
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