Many sexually active NSW teenagers are putting themselves at risk of pregnancy or disease by not using condoms, new research shows.
A NSW government report into the welfare and wellbeing of the state's children found a third (32 per cent) of Year 10 students have had sex.
The study found that more than a third (37 per cent) of the 15- and 16-year-olds did not use a condom the last time they had sex.
The report has prompted a call for greater sex education in schools to ward off the threat of teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.
The NSW Commissioner for Children and Young People, Megan Mitchell, says a public health campaign should be launched, similar to other campaigns that have helped reduce harmful behaviour.
"Just look at the results of measures to reduce smoking and alcohol consumption among children, Ms Mitchell said in a statement on Thursday.
"Since 1984, the proportion of children aged 12 to 17 years who smoke has fallen from 27 per cent to 9 per cent, she said.
The proportion who reported having drunk alcohol in the past 12 months also fell, from 72 to 56 per cent."
Ms Mitchell said the NSW government should consult with young people to ensure they were getting an effective message about sexual health.
"Involving young people in developing these messages will be a key to their success," Ms Mitchell said.
The report, A Picture Of NSW Children, is based on information gathered about more than 1.6 million children in the state in 2008.
It can be accessed online at www.picture.kids.nsw.gov.au.
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