Worry at Italian teens 'paying for sex'

Nearly 40% of Italian male teenagers had their first sexual encounter with a prostitute, a survey reported in Rome's la Repubblica newspaper says. The poll, by volunteer aid group Help Me, said 37% of 14 to 18-year-olds it surveyed lost their virginity by paying either a prostitute or a transsexual. Many feared failing the first time with their partner, the survey said. Help Me said it raised concerns about the increased risk of HIV and Aids.

source: < Worry at Italian teens "paying for sex" >; BBC Teletext; 18 August 2001