- ENSANUT focused on aspects such as the sexual and reproductive life of Mexicans, in addition to contraception, prevention of unplanned pregnancies, and comprehensive maternal and perinatal care.
- Among the results, it was obtained that about 20% of people between the ages of 12 and 19 did not use any contraceptive in their first sexual relationship.
- It was also obtained that 88.1% of the population between 10 and 19 years old knows that the male condom can only be used once.
The sex life of mexicans was one of the items analyzed in the National Survey of Health and Nutrition (Ensanut) Continuous 2022. In this case, it is a statistical study instrument carried out by the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) and the Ministry of Health (SSa). Its objective is to keep a record of the general conditions of the population and the health services.
The origins of this research date back to 1988 when it began to be carried out under the name of National Nutrition Survey. Although it was not until the year 2000 that a six-year periodicity was established. While currently it is held every two years.
Among its benefits, ENSANUT has served to achieve better planning in the health sector. It has also allowed more effective control over the advances in services, prevention and implemented programs such as the National Crusade Against Hunger and the Health Sector Plan.
How is the sexual life of Mexicans?
With respect to ENSANUT 2022, It was applied to 3,547 people from 10 to 19 years old and 6,479 from 20 to 49 years old. While the results were just published and there are several points of interest. In the first place, 79.1 percent of the population between 10 and 19 years of age who started sexual life used some contraceptive method (MAC) in their first relationship.
Regarding the population from 10 to 19 years old, the Ensanut Continues 2022 shows that 88.1 percent knew—mainly men—that the male condom can only be used once. While 60.4 percent —mainly women— are aware that this contraceptive method protects against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The start of the sex life in mexicans It is a crucial episode in people’s lives because it has implications for their future, such as assuming new roles and behavior patterns that will have effects on their sexual and reproductive health and will modify their development during adulthood.
In 2022, 22.8 percent of people between the ages of 12 and 19 began their sexual life (23.6 percent men and 22 percent women). Of these, 20.9 percent did not use any contraceptive method in the first sexual relationship (30.5 percent women and 12.0 percent men), and 17.5 percent did not use it in the last sexual relationship (24.8 percent women and 11.9 percent, men).
In the adult population between 20 and 49 years old, it stands out that 42.7 percent did not use any MAC in the first sexual relation (47.3 percent women and 37.8 percent, men) and 38 percent did not use any in the last sexual relation.
Regarding reproductive life, 37 percent of women between the ages of 12 and 19 with the onset of sexual life and 82.8 percent of adult women reported having been pregnant.
Regarding the indicators of maternal health care, it was observed that 65.2 percent of adolescents and 87.9 percent of adult women received timely and frequent prenatal care.
Likewise, 90 percent of all postpartum women received some MAC. When reviewing the type of method, in 48.4 percent of the adolescents and 85.6 percent of the adults it was permanent or long-acting reversible contraceptives (ARAP).
Importance of sexual and reproductive health
The results of the survey indicated priority aspects of sexual and reproductive health, particularly the knowledge and use of contraceptive methods, prevention of adolescent pregnancies, comprehensive maternal and perinatal care.
Sexual and reproductive health is fundamental for individuals, couples and their families due to the social benefits they have for life, particularly in contraception, prevention of pregnancies in girls and adolescents, comprehensive care in maternal and perinatal health, among others. .
It is important to guarantee that the population has sufficient information, based on scientific evidence, that allows them to make better decisions about their sexuality and reproduction throughout their lives and from an early age.
Additionally, it must be guaranteed that maternal health care in adolescents and adults is of the best quality, from the early stages of pregnancy and until the post-obstetric event, to prevent health complications.