Birth Cohort and Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Age of First Oral and Anal Sex Among U.S. Men Who Have Sex with Men

Abstract

Earlier age of first sex has potential direct and indirect health effects later in life. Though there are multiple nationwide general population studies on ages of first sex, there is no such nationwide study of first male-male oral or anal sex among men who have sex with men (MSM). This may be important for understanding racial/ethnic disparities in HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) acquisition among young racial/ethnic minority MSM. Our study examined the birth cohort and racial/ethnic differences in ages of first male-male oral and anal sex using a diverse 2015 US nationwide sample of 10,217 sexually-active MSM. The mean age of first male-male oral sex was 18.0 years. Compared with older birth cohorts, those MSM born 1990-2000 were more likely to have younger age of first male-male oral sex. Compared to white MSM, Hispanic MSM and non-Hispanic black MSM were more likely to have younger age of first male-male oral sex with a man. The mean age of first male-male anal sex was 20.3 years. Compared with older birth cohorts, those MSM born 1990-2000 were more likely to have younger age of first male-male anal sex. Compared to white MSM, MSM of all other racial/ethnic groups were more likely to have younger age of first male-male anal sex. These findings emphasize the need for comprehensive and MSMinclusive sexual health education for young teens and online sexual health resources for young gay, bisexual, queer and other MSM.