Summer nights: A review of the evidence of seasonal variations in sexual health indicators among young people

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether greater consideration should be given to the timing of sexual health interventions within the calendar year.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a review of the literature.

Findings

The evidence points to seasonality in a number of areas of sexual health among young people, including: the timing of first intercourse and conceptions, both of which peak in the summer and over Christmas; abortions which peak approximately two months later in February and late summer and sexually transmitted infections, which peak over the summer and autumn. In the case of conceptions there is evidence that the seasonal pattern among young people is different from that of adults. Potential explanations fall into four main categories: biological; behavioural; social, and service‐related.

Research limitations/implications

Many of the studies included in this review are from the USA, and some are based on either small samples or specific risk groups, which raises questions of representativeness and generalisability. Further, it is notable how little research there has been regarding seasonal variations in other aspects of sexual behaviour, such as risk reduction practice and other potential explanatory factors such as health‐seeking behaviour and availability of services.

Practical implications

The findings consistently point to periods of heightened sexual activity among young people in the summer and over Christmas, and suggest that greater consideration should indeed be given to the timing of sexual health interventions within the calendar year.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, no other review of this kind has yet been found.

Citation

Macdowall, W., Wellings, K., Stephenson, J. and Glasier, A. (2008), "Summer nights: A review of the evidence of seasonal variations in sexual health indicators among young people", Health Education, Vol. 108 No. 1, pp. 40-53. https://doi.org/10.1108/09654280810842120