Variations in coital and noncoital sexual repertoire among adolescent women.
OBJECTIVE
Little is known about factors associated with the day-to-day selection and orchestration of sexual repertoire among adolescent women. Analyzing differences in adolescent women's sexual activity may augment both the clinical and behavioral understanding of sexuality development and sexual decision making, and may yield important points to enhance existing programs for prevention of sexually transmitted infection or pregnancy.


METHODS
Adolescent women (N = 387, aged 14-17 years at enrollment) were recruited from primary care adolescent clinics serving primarily lower- and middle-income patients. Data were taken from daily sexual diaries. A four-category outcome variable, using generalized estimating equation multinomial logistic regression assessed the likelihood of specific sexual behaviors on a given day: none (abstinence), non-coital-only, coital-only, and dual noncoital/coitus. Separate models were analyzed for fellatio, cunnilingus, and anal sex. Predictor variables included age, menstrual bleeding, alcohol or marijuana use, positive or negative mood, recent coitus, recent noncoital sexual activity, partner support or negativity, sexual interest, feeling in love, time of the week, and same-day noncoital behaviors. Coital-only sexual behavior was used as the reference category.


RESULTS
Among adolescent women, abstinence is prevalent on the majority of days. When sexual activity does occur, coital-only activity is most common; however, noncoital behaviors alone and/or in tandem with coitus are not rare.


CONCLUSIONS
Differing associations of intrapersonal, partner and situational variables with specific types of day-to-day sexual activity underscores a complex sexual repertoire which may be insufficiently examined with a simple focus on coital risk.
Hensel
Devon J
DJ
Section of Adolescent Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA. djhensel@iupui.edu
Fortenberry
J Dennis
JD
Orr
Donald P
DP
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000367:Age Factors; D003075:Coitus; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011584:Psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012746:Sexual Abstinence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012747:Sexual Partners / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States