Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #122167

Heather Cecil, PhD, Psychology, Penn State University, Capital College, 777 W. Harrisburg Pike, W157 Olmsted, Middletown, PA 17057-4898, 717-948-6533, hkc3@psu.edu, Joe Fay, MA, Psychology, Pennsylvania Coalition to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 777 W. Harrisburg Pike, W157 Olmsted, Middletown, PA 17057-4898, and Raffy R. Luquis, PhD, School of Behavioral Sciences and Education, Penn State Harrisburg, W319 Olmsted, 777 W. Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine oral sex behaviors, determine whether rates of oral sex vary by age, gender, and race/ethnicity, and explore the relationship of oral sex activity with other sexual behaviors.

Method: Participants were 92 adolescents between the ages of 13-20 years (Mean=16.12, SD=1.51) recruited from middle and high school located within central Pennsylvania. Most were female (67%) and 53.3% self-identified as White, 28.3% as Black/African American, 12.0% as Hispanic, and 6.4% as other. Participants completed a self-report survey that assessed socio-demographics, oral sex behaviors, and other sexual activities.

Results: Half of the female youth and almost half of the male youth reported performing oral sex on someone of the opposite sex. Three quarters of the females and more than half of the males reported receiving oral sex from a member of the opposite sex. No gender or race differences were obtained regarding oral sex practices. Rates of oral sex increased significantly with grade level. Having engaged in oral sex was correlated with having engaged in other sexual behaviors.

Discussion: Rates of oral sex experience were higher in this study as compared to other published studies. Findings highlighted the importance of implementing interventions that target segments of the adolescent population that are more vulnerable to the acquisition of STIs and HIV/AIDS.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this session, participants will understand the (
• importance of assessing oral sex using behaviorally specific items, (
• oral sex practices among adolescents, and (
• co-variation of oral sex activity with other sexual behaviors, including vaginal and anal sex.

Keywords: Oral/Anal Sex, Adolescent Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered