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YOUNG ADULTS, SEXUAL BEHAVIOUR AND MULTIPLE RELATIONSHIP PARTNERS: DATA FROM THE AUSTRALIAN LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF HEALTH AND RELATIONSHIPS

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journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-17, 10:58 authored by J Ferris, AMA Smith, MK Pitts, J Shelley, J Richters, J Simpson
Objective: To highlight the formation of relationships among young Australian adults and identify sexual behaviours and contraceptive use that may place them at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unwanted pregnancies. Methods: Analysis of data from a representative household sample of Australian men and women 16–64 years who completed a computerassisted telephone interview. Main outcome measure(s): Relationship status (i.e. types of relationships) and sexual history, last sexual practice, contraceptive practices and STI history. Results: Among 1565 young adults (aged 16–25) 21% had never had sexual contact; 5% had not had sex in the last 12 months; 25% were not currently in a relationship but had recently had casual sex and the remaining 48% were in a regular relationship. Of those currently in a regular relationship (n = 757), 7% had sex a person outside the relationship in the past year. Much of this sexual activity was protected, but 11% did not use a condom at most recent sex with either the regular or the outside partner. Of those who had multiple partners (i.e. more than one regular partner or regular + casual partners) 70% were men; 79% identified as heterosexual; 12% lived with one of their partners; and 13% reported having had an STI in the last 12 months. Age at first sex for young adults reporting multiple partners was typically younger (15.3 years; 95%CI 14.5–16.1) compared to those currently in a single regular relationship (16.8 years; 95%CI 16.7–17.0). Conclusions: Rich and informative data identifying multiple-relationships in Australia are rare. This national representative study effectively illustrates the complexities of personal histories and risk for people in multiple relationships. The implications of these findings highlight the need for health professionals to promote condom use among young adults unless they are in guaranteed sexually exclusive relationships.

History

Journal

SEXUAL HEALTH

Volume

5

Season

Abstracts from the Australasian Sexual Health Conference 2008

Article number

52

Pagination

402-402

Location

Clayton, Vic.

Open access

  • Yes

ISSN

1448-5028

Language

English

Publication classification

CN.1 Other journal article

Copyright notice

2008, C S I R O

Issue

4

Publisher

CSIRO PUBLISHING