Irish students frequently have sex without a condom according to a new survey – launched to coincide with SHAG week at Ireland’s colleges.

The Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance week is designed to alert students to the dangers of unprotected sex.

Student Union bosses believe the information is more relevant than ever after their recent survey of third level college goers.

The Union of Students in Ireland has published new findings which claim that almost three quarters of Irish students have had sex without a condom.

Some 13 per cent of them blamed their lack of contraception on ‘impairment due to alcohol’.

The USI survey also found that 85 per cent of students surveyed were sexually active while 73 per cent have had sex without contraception, such as a condom or a dental dam, which protect against sexually transmitted diseases and infections.

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The USI survey also found that 77 per cent of males and 72 per cent of females have had sex without a condom or dental dam. When asked why they did not use a condom, 20 per cent of respondents said it was because they or their partner were using another contraceptive.

Another 20 per cent said it was because they were in a long-term relationship.

Reasons they hadn’t used a condom included 14 per cent who cited ‘spontaneity’ while 13 per cent said ‘impairment due to alcohol’ was the reason they hadn’t used a condom.

The USI survey was conducted in January and involved 1,000 students from Irish colleges and universities.

During SHAG week, the Union will distribute 40,000 packs in colleges and universities across the country containing a condom, a sachet of lubricant and information on contraception, STDs and fertility.