Reasons Why Young Adults Are More Likely To Engage In Anál Séx

The findings of the research by researchers at the Bradley Hasbro Children''s Research Center reflect recent data indicating that anál séx rates among ádults doubled between the years 1995 and 2004.

Being one of the first of its kind, the study has highlighted the little-known factors linked with heteroséxual anál intércourse among adolescents and young adults.


"The topic of anál inter course is often considered taboo - especially when discussed in the context of youth relationships - even though we know that this behavior is a significant risk factor for HIV and other séxually transmitted infections. It's critical that we recognize that more and more young people are engaging in anál séx so we can open the lines of communications and help them protect their séxual health," said lead author Celia Lescano, PhD, of the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Center (BHCRC).

In the study, the scientists examined séxual behaviour of 1,348 adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 21 who had unprotected séx in the previous three months.

It was found that 16 percent had engaged in heteroséxual anal inter course within the timeframe, with condoms being used just 29 percent of the time.

Females who had heteroséxual anál séx were more likely to be living with their partners, to have two or more séxual partners and to have previously experienced coerced intér course.

Males who engaged in heteroséxual anál intercourse were more likely to identify themselves as being homoséxual, biséxual or undecided.

"These findings suggest that the factors associated with anál inter course among females in the study relate to the context and power balance of séxual relationships. We must teach teen girls and young women how to be assertive in séxual relationships, such as refusing unwanted séxual acts and negotiating for safer séx, whether it''s anál or va ginal," said Lescano, who's also an assistant professor of psychiatry (research) at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

But, many factors related to anál intér course were found to be consistent in both genders.

Generally, those who felt that using condoms decreased the pleasure of séx and those who used drugs at the time of inter course were engaged in riskier behaviours.

Such behaviours indicated that interventions should emphasize that séx can be both pleasurable and safe.

"An open dialogue between health care providers and their young patients about anal intercourse is becoming increasingly important, and clinicians should ask about anál séx during discussions about vag inal intércourse and protection - regardless of the patient's gender or reported séxual orientation," said Lescano.

The American Journal of Public Health publishes the study online