Associations between source of information about sex and sexual health outcomes in Britain: findings from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3).
OBJECTIVE
To examine variation in source of information about sexual matters by sociodemographic factors, and associations with sexual behaviours and outcomes.


METHODS
Cross-sectional probability sample survey.


METHODS
British general population.


METHODS
3408 men and women, aged 17-24 years, interviewed from 2010-2012 for third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles.


METHODS
Main source of information (school, a parent, other); age and circumstances of first heterosexual intercourse; unsafe sex and distress about sex in past year; experience of sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses, non-volitional sex or abortion (women only) ever.


RESULTS
Citing school was associated with younger age, higher educational level and having lived with both parents. Citing a parent was associated, in women, with lower educational level and having lived with one parent. Relative to other sources, citing school was associated with older age at first sex (adjusted HR 0.73 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.83) men, 0.73 (0.65 to 0.82) women), lower likelihood of unsafe sex (adjusted OR 0.58 (0.44 to 0.77) men, 0.69 (0.52 to 0.91) women) and previous STI diagnosis (0.55 (0.33 to 0.91) men, 0.58 (0.43 to 0.80) women) and, in women, with lower likelihood of lack of sexual competence at first sex; and experience of non-volitional sex, abortion and distress about sex. Citing a parent was associated with lower likelihood of unsafe sex (0.53 (0.28 to 1.00) men; 0.69 (0.48 to 0.99) women) and, in women, previous STI diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Gaining information mainly from school was associated with lower reporting of a range of negative sexual health outcomes, particularly among women. Gaining information mainly from a parent was associated with some of these, but fewer cited parents as a primary source. The findings emphasise the benefit of school and parents providing information about sexual matters and argue for a stronger focus on the needs of men.
Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, Centre for Sexual and Reproductive Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Wendy
W
Macdowall
Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK.
Kyle G
KG
Jones
Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK.
Clare
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4612-1858
C
Tanton
Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK NatCen Social Research, London, UK.
Soazig
S
Clifton
Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK.
Andrew J
AJ
Copas
Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK.
Catherine H
CH
Mercer
Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, Centre for Sexual and Reproductive Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Melissa J
MJ
Palmer
Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, Centre for Sexual and Reproductive Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Ruth
R
Lewis
Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, Centre for Sexual and Reproductive Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Jessica
J
Datta
Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, Centre for Sexual and Reproductive Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Kirstin R
KR
Mitchell
Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK.
Nigel
N
Field
Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK.
Pam
P
Sonnenberg
Research Department of Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK.
Anne M
AM
Johnson
Department of Social and Environmental Health Research, Centre for Sexual and Reproductive Health Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Kaye
K
Wellings
D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D003075:Coitus; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D012574:Schools / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012736:Sex Education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006113:United Kingdom; D047568:Unsafe Sex; D055815:Young Adult
cross-sectional survey; first intercourse; sex eduction; sexual health