Abstract
The timing of first sexual intercourse is often defined in terms of chronological age, with particular focus on “early” first sex. Arguments can be made for a more nuanced concept of readiness and appropriateness of timing of first intercourse. Using data from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3), conducted in 2010–2012, this study examined whether a context-based measure of first intercourse—termed sexual competence—was associated with subsequent sexual health in a population-based sample of 17-to 24-year-olds residing in Britain (n = 2,784). Participants were classified as “sexually competent” at first intercourse if they reported the following four criteria: contraceptive protection, autonomy of decision (not due to external influences), that both partners were “equally willing,” and that it happened at the “right time.” A lack of sexual competence at first intercourse was independently associated with testing positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) at interview; low sexual function in the past year; and among women only, reported sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis ever; unplanned pregnancy in the past year; and having ever experienced nonvolitional sex. These findings provide empirical support for defining the nature of first intercourse with reference to contextual aspects of the experience, as opposed to a sole focus on chronological age at occurrence.
Highlights
No significant gender difference was observed in the proportion reporting heterosexual intercourse before age 16: 34.5% of women and 36.7% of men
Though the proportion classified as sexually competent increases with age at first sex (p < 0.05), age at first sex does not explain all of the variation observed in sexual competence
Significant gender differences were observed in the proportion who reported ever being diagnosed with an sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Summary
The Natsal-3 is a stratified probability sample survey of 15,162 men and women aged 16 to 74 residing in Britain. The sampling strategy included a “boost” of 16to 34-year-olds, resulting in data being collected from a total of 3,689 participants aged 16 to 24 at interview Concept. Q: Would you say you were both willing to have intercourse partners that first time, or was one of you more willing than the other?
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