First vaginal intercourse and oral sex among a representative sample of Australian adults: the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Abstract

Given the earlier age at first vaginal intercourse, sex education should begin earlier so that all young people have information about contraception and disease prevention before they begin their sexual careers.

Change and stasis in sexual health and relationships: comparisons between the First and Second Australian Studies of Health and Relationships

“…[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Many of the broad changes (and stability) observed in ASHR1-ASHR2 comparisons were also found in the comparisons between Natsal-2 and Natsal-3 in Britain 16,17 and analyses of repeated surveys in France. 18 In addition, the patterns of demographic correlates of the various outcomes tended to be similar in ASHR1 and ASHR2.…”

“…2 This attitude change was reflected in a significant increase from 13% to 16% in the proportion of women who had vaginal intercourse before age 16 years among those who had had sex and a narrowing of the sex differences in timing of first sexual experiences; the median age at first vaginal intercourse was 17.9 years among men and 18.0 years among women. 4 There was also a significant increase between ASHR1 and ASHR2 in women's mean number of sexual partners over their lifetime (from 6.9 to 8.9). 5 In contrast, the timing of men's first sexual experiences appears to have stabilised.…”

“…5 In contrast, the timing of men's first sexual experiences appears to have stabilised. Indeed, the proportion of men reporting first vaginal intercourse before age 16 years fell from 22% to 19%, 4 and the median age at first vaginal intercourse among men rose from 17.6 years to 17.9 years. 5 These data correspond to findings in other countries 16,18 and suggest that sexual double standards around the timing of early sexual experiences may be weakening.…”

“…There were significant declines in the proportion of respondents reporting not using condoms or other contraception at first vaginal intercourse (down from 38% in ASHR1 to 29% in ASHR2 among men, and from 27% to 21% among women). 4 These changes correspond to changes found in Britain and France. 16,18 There were also significant increases from ASHR1 to ASHR2 in the proportion of men and women using condoms during their most recent heterosexual experience (up from 25% to 29% among men, and from 18% to 23% among women).…”

“…1 The articles in this themed issue present data largely directed towards the first aim, with sub-sections focussed on the second aim. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The purpose of this paper is to provide an integrated summary of ASHR1-ASHR2 analyses and to consider what the observed changes and stasis mean for sexual health policy and service provision.…”