Sexual health gaps persist for migrant youth in Canada, despite lower rates of sexual activity

A recent study led by UBC reveals that migrant youth in Canada exhibit lower levels of sexual activity compared to their Canadian-born counterparts. However, there is a concerning decline in contraception use among those who are sexually active. This highlights the importance of addressing systemic barriers in sexual health education and access, particularly for newcomer adolescents.

Published in BMC Public Health, the study analyzed data from over 30,000 15- and 16-year-olds collected through the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) surveys from 2014, 2018, and 2022. The researchers focused on youth who were not born in Canada, comparing their sexual health behaviors to those of Canadian-born teens to identify patterns and gaps.

The study benefited from insights provided by a 21-member migrant youth advisory group, which helped interpret the findings and shape recommendations.

Declining condom and birth control use

Among sexually active migrant youth, the study found a decrease in contraception use. In 2022, migrant boys were more likely to report using no contraception during their last sexual encounter, with a significant drop in condom use over the eight-year period. There was no notable change among non-migrant boys. Migrant girls consistently showed lower usage of the contraceptive pill across all three survey years.

The use of dual contraception (condoms plus the pill) also declined for both migrant boys and girls in 2018 and 2022, widening the gap with non-migrant teens.

Systemic gaps

“Our advisory group noted that many teens who arrive in Canada miss school-based sex education due to the timing of their migration,” said Dr. Daniel Ji, the lead author from the University of Regina’s faculty of social work and a former postdoctoral researcher at UBC. “Some of them also mentioned that contraception is stigmatized in their family’s culture. When seeking sexual health services, they may encounter language barriers and concerns about confidentiality.”

The authors also highlighted the potential impact of the pandemic on these trends, suggesting that stay-at-home orders, reduced privacy, and disrupted health care access likely contributed to the sharp declines observed in the 2022 survey.

Inclusive solutions

Dr. Elizabeth Saewyc, senior author and director of UBC’s Stigma and Resilience Among Vulnerable Youth Centre, emphasized the need for comprehensive, culturally relevant, and accurate sexual health education in schools. She suggested that such education should occur more than once during high school, especially for newcomers to Canada who may have missed it before arriving. Dr. Saewyc also noted the availability of free or low-cost contraceptives in B.C. for young people and emphasized the importance of youth-friendly, confidential sexual health care services for migrant youth.

Dr. Ji added, “We also recommend involving young people directly in shaping programs to ensure that services meet their needs. Young people have valuable insights for improving these trends based on their lived experiences, and it’s crucial to listen to them.”