title: Sexual behaviour and risk reduction strategies among a multinational sample of women who have sex with women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The development of safer sex recommendations for women who have sex with women (WSW) remains challenging given a limited understanding of sexual behaviour between women. The present study was conducted in order to investigate the sexual repertoires of WSW and the safer sex methods they use to reduce the likelihood of sexually transmitted infection acquisition.
  
  
  METHODS
  An online survey targeted towards women with desire, attraction or previous sexual behaviour with women was distributed globally. Women (N=3116) who engaged in at least one sexual act with a woman in the previous year and were currently living in the USA, UK, Canada or Australia were included in the present study. Questions were based upon previously validated items in nationally representative studies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants indicated a wide diversity of sexual behaviours with the majority of women reporting a history of genital rubbing (99.8%), vaginal fingering (99.2%), genital scissoring (90.8%), cunnilingus (98.8%) and vibrator use (74.1%). Barrier use was reported by a minority (<25%) of the participants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The variety of sexual acts reported by the sample points to the need for the development of more contextually appropriate sexual health guidelines for WSW.
authors.affiliation: Center for Sexual Health Promotion Indiana, University, 1025 E. 7th St., HPER 116, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA. vschick@indiana.edu
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schick
authors.forename: Joshua G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Rosenberger
authors.forename: Debby
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Herbenick
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reece
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002170:Canada; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult