title: Changes in sexual attitudes and lifestyles in Britain through the life course and over time: findings from the National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sexual behaviour and relationships are key components of wellbeing and are affected by social norms, attitudes, and health. We present data on sexual behaviours and attitudes in Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) from the three National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal).
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a multistage, clustered, and stratified probability sample design. Within each of the 1727 sampled postcode sectors for Natsal-3, 30 or 36 addresses were randomly selected and then assigned to interviewers. To oversample individuals aged 16-34 years, we randomly allocated addresses to either the core sample (in which individuals aged 16-74 years were eligible) or the boost sample (in which only individuals aged 16-34 years were eligible). Interviewers visited all sampled addresses between Sept 6, 2010, and Aug 31, 2012, and randomly selected one eligible individual from each household to be invited to participate. Participants completed the survey in their own homes through computer-assisted face-to-face interviews and self-interview. We analysed data from this survey, weighted to account for unequal selection probabilities and non-response to correct for differences in sex, age group, and region according to 2011 Census figures. We then compared data from participants aged 16-44 years from Natsal-1 (1990-91), Natsal-2 (1999-2001), and Natsal-3.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interviews were completed with 15,162 participants (6293 men, 8869 women) from 26,274 eligible addresses (57·7%). 82·1% (95% CI 81·0-83·1%) of men and 77·7% (76·7-78·7%) of women reported at least one sexual partner of the opposite sex in the past year. The proportion generally decreased with age, as did the range of sexual practices with partners of the opposite sex, especially in women. The increased sexual activity and diversity reported in Natsal-2 in individuals aged 16-44 years when compared with Natsal-1 has generally been sustained in Natsal-3, but in men has generally not risen further. However, in women, the number of male sexual partners over the lifetime (age-adjusted odds ratio 1·18, 95% CI 1·08-1·28), proportion reporting ever having had a sexual experience with genital contact with another woman (1·69, 1·43-2·00), and proportion reporting at least one female sexual partner in the past 5 years (2·00, 1·59-2·51) increased in Natsal-3 compared with Natsal-2. While reported number of occasions of heterosexual intercourse in the past 4 weeks had reduced since Natsal-2, we recorded an expansion of heterosexual repertoires--particularly in oral and anal sex--over time. Acceptance of same-sex partnerships and intolerance of non-exclusivity in marriage increased in men and women in Natsal-3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sexual lifestyles in Britain have changed substantially in the past 60 years, with changes in behaviour seeming greater in women than men. The continuation of sexual activity into later life--albeit reduced in range and frequency--emphasises that attention to sexual health and wellbeing is needed throughout the life course.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Grants from the UK Medical Research Council and the Wellcome Trust, with support from the Economic and Social Research Council and the Department of Health.
authors.affiliation: Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK. Electronic address: c.mercer@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Catherine H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Mercer
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tanton
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prah
authors.forename: Bob
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Erens
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sonnenberg
authors.forename: Soazig
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Clifton
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Macdowall
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Field
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Datta
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Copas
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Phelps
authors.forename: Kaye
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wellings
authors.forename: Anne M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom