Table 3

Sexual behaviours, HIV testing, reported STI diagnoses and drug use: convenience surveys relative to Natsal-3

Natsal-3EMISLondon-GMSHSScotland-GMSHS
Sexual partners
First same-sex experience before age 16
 %26.4 (18.2 to 36.5)28.5
 Crude OR1.001.12 (0.69 to 1.80)
 AOR1.001.35 (0.84 to 2.18)
At least five male sexual partners, past year
 %23.2 (15.5 to 33.1)57.653.840.9
 Crude OR1.004.51 (2.74 to 7.43)3.87 (2.31 to 6.48)2.30 (1.38 to 3.83)
 AOR1.004.28 (2.63 to 6.97)4.06 (2.40 to 6.88)2.23 (1.34 to 3.74)
One or more female sexual partners, past year
 %28.0 (19.7 to 38.1)9.3
 Crude OR1.000.26 (0.17 to 0.42)
 AOR1.000.30 (0.19 to 0.47)
Sexual practices
Same sex anal sex, past year
 %73.3 (63.4 to 81.3)87.491.785.7
 Crude OR1.002.51 (1.58 to 4.00)4.03 (2.37 to 6.84)2.14 (1.31 to 3.48)
 AOR1.002.36 (1.48 to 3.76)3.63 (2.09 to 6.30)1.49 (0.89 to 2.50)
Unprotected anal intercourse (with 2+ partners), past year
 %13.4 (7.4 to 23.1)25.221.614.9
 Crude OR1.002.18 (1.12 to 4.23)1.78 (0.90 to 3.54)1.06 (0.54 to 2.09)
 AOR1.002.30 (1.18 to 4.59)1.61 (0.79 to 3.28)0.91 (0.44 to 1.89)
HIV testing and clinic attendance
HIV test, ever
 %60.1 (48.9 to 70.3)75.491.883.2
 Crude OR1.002.03 (1.29 to 3.20)7.43 (4.42 to 12.49)3.29 (2.04 to 5.31)
 AOR1.001.73 (1.07 to 2.80)7.95 (4.58 to 13.78)2.99 (1.86 to 4.79)
HIV test, past year
 %22.2 (15.6 to 30.6)42.258.152.8
 Crude OR1.002.56 (1.66 to 3.95)4.85 (3.08 to 7.65)3.78 (2.42 to 5.91)
 AOR1.002.26 (1.47 to 3.47)4.39 (2.73 to 7.06)3.01 (1.91 to 4.75)
Attended a sexual health clinic, past year
 %39.2 (28.0 to 51.6)57.4
 Crude OR1.002.09 (1.24 to 3.53)
 AOR1.002.04 (1.22 to 3.42)
STI diagnoses
Diagnosed with an STI, past year*
 %5.0 (2.3 to 10.5)9.511.6
 Crude OR1.002.01 (0.90 to 4.51)2.50 (1.08 to 5.76)
 AOR1.001.91 (0.85 to 4.30)2.43 (0.99 to 5.99)
Diagnosed with chlamydia, past year
 %3.5 (1.4 to 8.5)5.76.4
 Crude OR1.001.69 (0.65 to 4.39)1.91 (0.71 to 5.14)
 AOR1.001.66 (0.63 to 4.32)1.94 (0.63 to 5.92)
Diagnosed with gonorrhoea, past year
 %0.5 (0.1 to 3.2)3.86.3
 Crude OR1.008.47 (1.18 to 60.89)14.39 (1.96 to 105.47)
 AOR1.008.08 (1.12 to 58.2)14.36 (1.86 to 110.86)
Diagnosed with syphilis, past year
 %1.0 (0.1 to 6.9)2.32.8
 Crude OR1.002.26 (0.32 to 16.13)2.71 (0.36 to 20.15)
 AOR1.002.20 (0.32 to 15.18)3.33 (0.39 to 28.18)
Drug use
Ever taken amyl nitrates
 %35.0 (26.4 to 44.7)72.6
 Crude OR1.004.92 (3.27 to 7.39)
 AOR1.005.21 (3.40 to 7.98)
Drug use, past year
 %29.2 (21.1 to 38.9)60.7
 Crude OR1.003.74 (2.42 to 5.79)
 AOR1.003.62 (2.33 to 5.61)
Injected non-prescribed drugs, past year
 %0.5 (0.1 to 3.6)3.0
 Crude OR1.005.85 (0.81 to 42.08)
 AOR1.005.34 (0.73 to 38.98)
  • AOR: adjusted for age, academic qualification and London residency (EMIS); age, employment and ethnicity (London-GMSHS); age and academic qualification (Scotland-GMSHS).

  • *Reported at least one diagnosis of chlamydia, gonorrhoea and/or syphilis.

  • EMIS, European MSM (men who have sex with men) Internet Survey; GMSHS, Gay Men's Sexual Health Survey; Natsal-3, National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles; STI, sexually transmitted infection.