Abstract
Perceptions of specific risk behaviors for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can influence socially accepted norms of sexual behavior and knowledge of STD risk among different demographic groups. This report summarizes findings from a national survey (conducted by The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction at Indiana University) that addressed perceptions regarding the prevalence of high-risk sexual behaviors (1). During October 14-20, 1989, a multistage, stratified, probability sample of 1974 U.S. adults (persons greater than or equal to 18 years of age) were interviewed in their homes by a private polling organization. Respondents were asked six questions in face-to-face interviews and 12 questions by anonymous, self-administered questionnaires in the presence of the interviewers. In the face-to-face interview, participants were asked to estimate the age at which the "average or typical American" first has sexual intercourse and to estimate the proportion of married men who have had an "extramarital affair." The self-administered questionnaire included items on the prevalence of heterosexual anal intercourse and male homosexual behavior. Refusal rates for the interview questions (Table 1, questions 1 and 2) were less than 1%, and for the self-administered questionnaire (Table 1, questions 3 and 4), 14%. Most respondents (62% (95% confidence interval (CI)=plus or minus 2)) believed the "typical American" has first sexual intercourse at or before 15 years of age (Table 1, question 1). Women (29% (95% CI=plus or minus 3)) were more likely than men (21% (95% CI=plus or minus 3)) to believe the age at first intercourse was less than or equal to 13 years (p less than 0.05). Persons who were younger, reported lower income, or claimed less formal education consistently estimated younger ages at first intercourse (Figure 1, Table 1). More black respondents (41% (95% CI=plus or minus 7)) than white respondents (23% (95% CI=plus or minus 2)) estimated younger ages at first sexual intercourse (less than or equal to 13 years; p less than 0.05). Half the respondents believed that greater than or equal to 50% of married men have had an "extramarital affair" (Table 1, question 2). Women (25% (95% CI=plus or minus 3)) were more likely than men (17% (95% CI=plus or minus 2)) and blacks (33% (95% CI=plus or minus 6)) were more likely than whites (19% (95% CI=plus or minus 2)) to estimate that a high percentage of married men (greater than or equal to 70%) have had an "extramarital affair." Respondents with lower income (26% (95% CI=plus or minus 3) vs. 18% (95% CI=plus or minus 3)) and with less formal education (26% (95% CI=plus or minus 4) vs. 22% (95% CI=plus or minus 3) vs. 18% (95% CI=plus or minus 3)) were more likely to estimate this behavior to be this prevalent. Separated and divorced respondents (34% (95% CI=plus or minus 7)) were the most likely to estimate this high prevalence, followed by single (24% (95% CI=plus or minus 4)) and married (18% (95% CI=plus or minus 2)) respondents. More than one third (37% (95% CI=plus or minus 2)) estimated that less than or equal to 20% of U.S. women have ever had anal intercourse (Table 1, question 3); 28% (95% CI=plus or minus 2) indicated "don't know." Respondents estimating that greater than or equal to 30% of U.S. women have had anal intercourse were more likely to be 18-44 years of age (43% (95% CI=plus or minus 3) vs. 24% (95% CI=plus or minus 3)), unmarried (except widowed) (45% (95% CI=plus or minus 4) vs. 34% (95% CI=plus or minus 3)), or black (43% (95% CI=plus or minus 7) vs. 34% (95% CI=plus or minus 3)). A "don't know" response was 2.4 times more likely from respondents aged greater than or equal to 60 years (48% (95% CI=plus or minus 5)) than from those aged 18-44 years (20% (95% CI=plus or minus 2)); 1.4 times more likely from those without a high school diploma (34% (95% CI=plus or minus 5)) than from those with some college education (24% (95% CI=plus or minus 3)); 1.3 times more likely from those reporting an annual income less than $25,000 (30% (95% CI=plus or minus 4)); and 1.3 times more likely from women (31% (95% CI=plus or minus 3)). When asked if 25% of U.S. men have had a homosexual experience, 36% of respondents (95% CI=plus or minus 2) answered "don't know" (Table 1, question 4). This response was most common among those widowed (52% (95% CI=plus or minus 8)), aged greater than or equal to 60 years (47% (95% CI=plus or minus 5)), black (41% (95% CI=plus or minus 7)), and without a high school diploma (40% (95% CI=plus or minus 5)). Of the remaining 64% of respondents, two thirds estimated that less than 25% of U.S. men have had a homosexual experience. Reported by: JM Reinisch, PhD, CA Hill, PhD, M Ziemba-Davis, SA Sanders, PhD, The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Indiana Univ, Bloomington, Indiana. The Roper Organization, New York City. Behavioral Studies Br, Div of STD/HIV Prevention, Center for Prevention Svcs, CDC.
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