Sexual-Health Risk Behaviors and Sexually Explicit Media-Use by U. S. Adults

Objectives: Converging evidence from diverse cultures indicates that sexually explicit media-use (SEMU; i.e., pornography consumption) is associated with health-risky sexual behaviors (e.g., greater likelihood of having multiple sexual partners, having sex more frequently, engaging in anal sex, and less frequent condom use) among adolescents and emerging adults. Essentially unexplored, and the focus here, are relationships between SEMU and sexual health-risk behaviors among U.S. adults. Methods: Data (n=2,379) were from the 2008 General Social Survey. SEMU was measured by denial/affirmation of having watched porn during the last year. Five questions assessed sexual-health risk behaviors. All assessments were dichotomously coded. Unadjusted odds ratios were computed. Results: Sexually explicit media users (23.8%), compared to non-users, were more likely to report two or more sex partners during the previous year (OR 4.62, 95% CI 3.51-6.08), not being in a relationship with their last sex partner (OR 2.48, CI 1.82-3.39), having sex with someone other than their spouse while married (OR 2.49, CI 1.86-3.32), having paid for or been paid for sex (OR 2.69, CI 1.98-3.65), and using a condom during last sex (OR 1.79, CI 1.43-2.24). Conclusions: The findings, unique for U.S. adults, show that sexual-health risk behaviors vary significantly between sexually explicit media users and non-users. Specifically, with the exception of condom use, SEMU users appear to engage in substantially more risky behaviors than non-users. Further examination of these relationships may contribute to public health efforts targeting behaviors associated with high-risks of HIV/STD transmission and/or other preventable undesirable sexual health outcomes.