Estimating sexual behaviour parameters in the light of AIDS: A review of recent UK studies of young people

Abstract

This paper reviews UK surveys of the sexual behaviour of young people since the advent of AIDS. The studies, which are restricted to those whose samples were intended to be representative of the general population, reveal broadly similar estimates of key sexual behaviours (numbers with sexual experience, numbers of partners, frequency of intercourse, condom use and anal penetration). In spite of these similarities and the usefulness of such information for estimating the potential rate of transmission of HIV a number of methodological issues continue to afflict this kind of research. The paper calls for standardized question formats and a centralized body to monitor changes in these parameters of sexual behaviour.