Nearly a third of Irish people have not received any form of sexual health education in secondary school, a new survey has revealed.
The global average of those who did not receive sexual health education in school stands at 22 per cent, but in Ireland that figure rises to 30 per cent, according to the Durex Sexual Wellbeing Global Survey.
The survey of 29,994 adults in 36 countries was carried out as part of National Condom Week by Harris Interactive.
It shows that 55 per cent of 18-year-olds will leave Irish secondary level with some formal sexual health education but an additional 15 per cent of people said they cannot remember their school's attempt at sex education.
Nearly half of all survey participants said their friends are a major source of sexual education, with books, magazines and mainstream television all ranking more informative than school.
The survey also revealed the average number of sexual partners for men was 17 while the women surveyed said they had eight different partners on average.
National Condom week, which kicks off today and concludes on October 21st, aims to promote safe and well-informed sex, according to brand manager for Durex Ireland Hazel Roche.
"National Condom Week gives us the chance to ensure safer sex is at the forefront of everyone's minds. By partnering with the [Dublin Aids Alliance] and [Union of Students in Ireland] we want to raise the awareness of the value of good sexual health education, and the importance of safer sex," she said.
"It is vital that we educate our nation because a condom can quite literally be a lifesaver."
Throughout the week, over 30,000 condoms and information cards will be handed out by the Dublin Aids Alliance.
"This is our ninth year supporting Durex with National Condom Week and we did not hesitate to commit our time and energy again," DAA's coordinator for prevention education and training Susan Donlon said.
"We are thrilled that this year Durex has supplied us with 30,000 condoms to distribute to communities throughout Ireland, including young people and at risk groups."