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Health 24 - News, Sexuality

More teens having anal sex Last updated: Thursday, November 20, 2008 A new study by researchers at the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Centre suggests that the incidence of heterosexual anal sex is increasing among teens and young adults – particularly those who have recently had unprotected vaginal sex.
Advertisement These findings mirror recent data that show anal sex rates among adults doubled between the years 1995 and 2004. The study, published online by the American Journal of Public Health, is among the first to report on the little-known factors associated with heterosexual anal intercourse among adolescents and young adults.
"The topic of anal intercourse is often considered taboo – especially when discussed in the context of youth relationships – even though we know that this behaviour is a significant risk factor for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
"It's critical that we recognise that more and more young people are engaging in anal sex so we can open the lines of communications and help them protect their sexual health," says lead author Celia Lescano, PhD, of the Bradley Hasbro Children's Research Centre (BHCRC).
How the study was done
Researchers assessed the sexual behaviour of 1 348 adolescents and young adults between the ages of 15 and 21 who had unprotected sex in the previous three months. They found that 16% had engaged in heterosexual anal intercourse within the timeframe, with condoms being used just 29% of the time.
Females who had heterosexual anal sex were more likely to be living with their partners, to have two or more sexual partners and to have previously experienced coerced intercourse. Males who engaged in heterosexual anal intercourse were more likely to identify themselves as being homosexual, bisexual or undecided.
"These findings suggest that the factors associated with anal intercourse among females in the study relate to the context and power balance of sexual relationships," says Lescano, who's also an assistant professor of psychiatry (research) at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
"We must teach teen girls and young women how to be assertive in sexual relationships, such as refusing unwanted sexual acts and negotiating for safer sex, whether it's anal or vaginal."
Sex can be pleasurable and safe
However, there were several factors related to anal intercourse that were consistent in both genders. In general, those who felt that using condoms decreased the pleasure of sex, and those who used drugs at the time of intercourse engaged in riskier behaviours, suggesting that interventions should emphasise that sex 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 anal sex during discussions about vaginal intercourse and protection – regardless of the patient's gender or reported sexual orientation," says Lescano.
Study participants in Atlanta, Miami and Providence completed a self-interview designed to measure sexual risk behaviours, relationships, sexual risk attitudes, substance use and mental health. The majority of the group (92%) defined themselves as being heterosexual. Overall, 56% were female; approximately half of the participants were African American, 24% were Hispanic and 20% were white. – (EurekAlert, November 2008)

It is considered taboo by some and if its taboo, the teens want to do it