title: Sexual identity, same-sex partners and risk behaviour among a community-based sample of young people in Australia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Young people who are same-sex attracted report higher rates of substance use, sexual risk behaviour, and mental health problems. Numerous studies have shown that sexual identity, sexual behaviour and sexual attraction do not always correspond, particularly among young people. We describe sexual identity, sexual partners, and associations between sexual identity and risk in a community-based sample of young people.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2011 to 2013, young people (16-29 years) were recruited at a music festival in Melbourne, Australia to self-complete a questionnaire. We describe sexual identity and gender of anal/vaginal sex partners in the past year. Secondly, we assess associations between risk behaviours, health outcomes and gay/lesbian/bisexual/queer/questioning (GLBQQ)-identity using multivariable logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 3793 (91%) participants with complete data, 115 (9%) males and 266 (11%) females were GLBQQ-identifying. Among GLBQQ-identifying males, 23% reported only same-sex partners, 34% reported both sex partners, 26% reported only opposite-sex partners, 5% reported no sex partners in the past year, and 12% had never had sex. Among GLBQQ-identifying females, 10% reported only same-sex partners, 22% reported both sex partners, 48% reported only opposite-sex partners, 3% reported no sex partners in the past year, and 17% had never had sex. Controlling for age and sex, significant (p<0.05) associations with GLBQQ-identity included: recent drug use (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.7, 95%CI 1.3-2.2); ever injected drugs (AOR 5.7, 95%CI 3.3-9.7); young age at first sex (AOR 1.8, 95%CI 1.3-2.3); ≥11 lifetime sex partners (AOR 1.5, 95%CI 1.1-2.0); multiple sex partners in the past year (AOR 1.9, 95%CI 1.5-2.5); and rating mental health as fair/poor (AOR 3.0, 95%CI 1.9-4.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young people with GLBQQ-identity commonly engage in high risk behaviours and are more at risk relative to their heterosexual-identifying peers. Targeted interventions to promote the health and wellbeing of this group should account for the complexities of identity and behaviour.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia. Electronic address: annab@burnet.edu.au.
authors.forename: Anna L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bowring
authors.affiliation: Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
authors.forename: Alyce M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Vella
authors.affiliation: National Drug & Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, 22-32 King Street, Randwick, New South Wales 2031, Australia; Centre for Health Policy, Programs and Economics, School of Population Health, University of Melbourne, Level 5, 207 Bouverie Street, Victoria 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Louisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Degenhardt
authors.affiliation: Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hellard
authors.affiliation: Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, 85 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia; Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
authors.forename: Megan S C
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001727:Bisexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012747:Sexual Partners; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Alcohol consumption; Sexual behaviour; Sexual orientation; Sexuality; Substance use; Young people