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Chow EPF, Wigan R, McNulty A, Bell C, Johnson M, Marshall L, Regan DG, Owen L, Brotherton JML, Bradshaw CS, Fairley CK, Russell D, Chen MY. Early sexual experiences of teenage heterosexual males in Australia: a cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e016779. [PMID: 29038178 PMCID: PMC5652582 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There are limited data on the patterns of early sexual behaviours among Australian teenage heterosexual boys. This study describes the nature and onset of early sexual experiences in this population through a cross-sectional survey. DESIGN A cross-sectional survey between 2014 and 2015 SETTING: Major sexual health clinics and community sources across Australia PARTICIPANTS: Heterosexual men aged 17-19 years RESULTS: There were 191 men in the study with a median age of 19.1 years. Median age at first oral sex was 16.4 years (IQR: 15.5-17.7) and 16.9 years (IQR: 16.0-18.0) for first vaginal sex. Most men had engaged in oral sex (89.5%) and vaginal sex (91.6%) in the previous 12 months with 32.6% reporting condom use at last vaginal sex. Of the total lifetime female partners for vaginal sex reported by men as a group (n=1187): 54.3% (n=645) were the same age as the man, 28.3% (n=336) were a year or more younger and 17.4% (n=206) were a year or more older. Prior anal sex with females was reported by 22% with 47% reporting condom use at last anal sex. Median age at first anal sex was 18.2 years (IQR: 17.3-18.8). Anal sex with a female was associated with having five or more lifetime female sexual partners for oral and vaginal sex. CONCLUSIONS These data provide insights into the trajectory of sexual behaviours experienced by teenage heterosexual boys following sexual debut, findings which can inform programme promoting sexual health among teenage boys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric P F Chow
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca Wigan
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anna McNulty
- Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Charlotte Bell
- Clinic 275, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mandy Johnson
- Family Planning Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lewis Marshall
- South Terrace Clinic, Fremantle Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David G Regan
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Louise Owen
- Sexual Health Service Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Julia M L Brotherton
- National HPV Vaccination Program Register, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Catriona S Bradshaw
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher K Fairley
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Darren Russell
- Cairns Sexual Health Service, Queensland Health, Cairns, North Queensland, Australia
- College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia
| | - Marcus Y Chen
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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