Do as we say, not as we do: experiences of unprotected intercourse reported by members of the Society of Family Planning

Abstract

ObjectivesWe examine the lifetime and past-year prevalence and circumstances of unprotected intercourse among members of the Society of Family Planning (SFP), a professional reproductive health organization in the United States. Study designWe invited the membership of SFP (n=477) via email to participate in an anonymous online survey. The response rate was 70% (n=340). We asked whether respondents had ever and in the past year had unprotected vaginal intercourse when not intending a pregnancy and, if so, how many times, under what circumstances, and at what age the first time. We then asked about unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse ever and in the past year under three different scenarios relating to sexually transmitted infections (STIs): (1) partner STI status unknown, respondent STI-free; (2) partner known infected, respondent STI-free; (3) partner STI-free, respondent STI status unknown or known infected. Each scenario included questions about the number of times, applicable circumstances, and age at first time. ResultsForty-six percent of respondents had ever had unprotected vaginal intercourse when not intending pregnancy, 7% within the past year. Sixty percent had ever had unprotected vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse with a partner whose STI status was unknown, 12% within the past year. Four percent had ever had unprotected intercourse with a partner known to have STI, and 8%, with an STI-free partner when they themselves either had an STI or did not know their STI status. ConclusionsEver having taken a risk with respect to pregnancy and/or STIs is common among our sample of reproductive health professionals. ImplicationsMost reproductive healthcare professionals in our sample have taken sexual risks in their lifetime and a small proportion has done so in the past year. These findings could inform counseling by encouraging healthcare professionals to reflect upon their own experiences when developing strategies to promote safe sex among their patients.