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AJPH First Look, published online ahead of print Nov 29, 2007
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American Journal of Public Health, 10.2105/AJPH.2006.097444

Research and Practice

Long-Term Health Coorrelates of Timing of Sexual Debut: Results From a National US Study

Theo G.M. Sandfort 1*, Mark Orr 1, Jennifer S. Hirsch 2, John Santelli 2

1 HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies
2 Columbia University

* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: tgs2001{at}columbia.edu.


  Abstract

Objectives. We explored long-term health correlates of age at sexual initiation and of abstinence until marriage.

Methods. We analyzed data from the 1996 National Sexual Health Survey, a cross-sectional study of the US adult population. We compared sexual health outcomes among individuals who had initiated sexual activity at an early or late age versus a normative age. We also compared individuals whose first sexual intercourse had occurred before versus after marriage.

Results. Early initiation of sexual intercourse was associated with various sexual risk factors, including increased numbers of sexual partners and recent sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol, whereas late initiation was associated with fewer risk factors. However, both early and late initiation were associated with sexual problems such as problems with arousal and orgasm, primarily among men. Relationship solidity and sexual relationship satisfaction were not associated with early or late initiation.

Conclusions. Early sexual debut is associated some certain long-term negative sexual health outcomes, including increased sexual risk behaviors and problems in sexual functioning. Late initiation was also associated with sexual problems, especially among men. Further research is needed to understand how sexual initiation patterns affect later health outcomes.

Key Words: Adolescent Health, Gender, HIV/AIDS, Sexual Health, Surveys




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