The semantics of sexual behavior and their implications for HIV/AIDS research and sexual health: US and UK gay men's definitions of having "had sex"

AIDS Care
B J HillS A Sanders

Abstract

Understanding the definition and meaning of the word "sex" has implications for sexual medicine, HIV/AIDS research, and clinical practices. Previous studies have reported variations in the definition of having "had sex" and the necessity of using behaviorally specific terminology when taking sexual histories and assessing sexual risk. The purpose of the current study is to assess gay men's definitions of what constitutes having "had sex." Two international convenience samples are compared: a UK sample of 180 self-identified gay men ranging from 18 to 56 years of age (M=36 years; SD=8.29) and a US sample of 190 self-identified gay men ranging 18-74 years of age (M=33.9 years; SD=12.49). Both groups were asked to indicate whether each of a list of sexual behaviors was considered having "had sex." Almost all participants (~95%) believed that penile-anal intercourse constituted having "had sex." US and UK gay men differed in defining the following as having "had sex": giving oral-genital stimulation (US 71.6%, UK 84.9%, P=0.002); giving (G) and receiving (R) manual-anal stimulation (G: US 53.4%, UK 70.9%, P=0.001; R: US 53.7%, UK 71.2%, P=0.001); giving and receiving oral-anal stimulation (G: US 61.2%, UK 78.4%, P<0.001; R: US 59.3...Continue Reading

References

Jan 26, 1999·JAMA : the Journal of the American Medical Association·S A Sanders, J M Reinisch
Apr 9, 1999·BMJ : British Medical Journal·J Richters, A Song
May 2, 2001·Archives of Sexual Behavior·M Pitts, Q Rahman
Jun 25, 2002·Journal of Nursing Scholarship : an Official Publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing·Victoria von SadovszkyKristan McKinney
Sep 20, 2007·Journal of Sex Research·Zoe D Peterson, Charlene L Muehlenhard
Feb 16, 2010·Sexual Health·Stephanie A SandersRobin R Milhausen

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Citations

Apr 23, 2014·The Journal of School Health·Matthew Lee SmithJairus C Pulczinski
Apr 20, 2014·Journal of Sex Research·Kelsey K Sewell, Donald S Strassberg
May 31, 2019·Culture, Health & Sexuality·Jessamyn BowlingDebby Herbenick
Mar 10, 2017·Journal of Sex Research·Kimberly R McBrideJune M Reinisch

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