Key Statistics from the National Survey of Family Growth - S Listing
- Same sex sexual activity – See Sexual activity between females and Sexual activity between males
- Separation – See Divorce and marital disruption
- Sex education
- Sexual activity between females
- Sexual activity between males
- Oral anal sex between males
- Oral sex between males
- Forced sex – males Forced Intercourse
- Sexual activity between males and females
- Sexual intercourse – See Sexual activity between males and females
- Sexual identity and attraction
- Smoking during pregnancy – See Cigarette smoking during pregnancy
- STD/HIV risk
- STD treatment/HIV testing
- Sterilization (female)
- Sterilization (male) – See Vasectomy
Sex education
Percentage of teens aged 15-19 years of age who report having received formal instruction before the age of 18 on “how to say no to sex,” by sex and grade when they received instruction:
Did not receive instruction |
Received instruction and grade when first received instruction | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1-5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10-12 | ||
Females, 20021 | 14.5% | 17.6% | 19.8% | 17.4% | 12.5% | 12.2% | 5.8% |
Females, 2006-20102 | 11.4% | 15.7% | 16.4% | 20.0% | 14.3% | 15.9% | 6.3% |
Females, 2011-20152 | 16.3% (1.26) | 11.7% (0.83) | 14.8% (1.34) | 16.6% (1.25) | 15.1% (1.22) | 17.8% (1.49) | 7.6% (1.06) |
Males, 20021 | 17.4% | 22.7% | 17.8% | 17.3% | 11.4% | 9.6% | 3.6% |
Males, 2006-20102 | 17.5% | 18.3% | 14.9% | 16.2% | 13.4% | 13.2% | 6.0% |
Males, 2011-20152 | 18.5% (1.09) | 17.8% (1.35) | 13.9% (1.18) | 15.2% (1.28) | 14.9% (1.10) | 12.4% (1.16) | 7.1% (0.81) |
Percentage of teens aged 15-19 years of age who report having received formal instruction before the age of 18 on “methods of birth control,” by sex and grade when they received instruction:
Did not receive instruction |
Received instruction and grade when first received instruction | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1-5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10-12 | ||
Females, 20021 | 30.1% | 5.9% | 9.3% | 12.5% | 13.2% | 18.6% | 10.0% |
Females, 2006-20102 | 29.5% | 5.5% | 8.2% | 11.7% | 12.7% | 20.6% | 11.5% |
Females, 2011-20152 | 34.4% (1.71) | 2.5% (0.39) | 7.9% (1.09) | 10.3% (0.96) | 11.8% (0.93) | 21.4% (1.55) | 11.6% (1.03) |
Males 20021 | 33.8% | 8.3% | 9.3% | 13.8% | 11.0% | 16.0% | 6.8% |
Males 2006-20102 | 39.1% | 5.3% | 6.9% | 11.2% | 13.0% | 15.9% | 8.0% |
Males 2011-20152 | 41.7% (1.60) | 6.6% (0.90) | 5.8% (0.60) | 10.2% (1.08) | 11.7% (1.00) | 14.7% (1.13) | 9.4% (1.01) |
Sources:
1Series 23, No. 24, Tables 26 and 27 [PDF – 2.2 MB]
2Special tabulations by NCHS
For more information on this topic see: Data Brief No. 44 [PDF – 1 MB]
Sexual activity between females
2006-20101 | 2011-20152 | |
---|---|---|
Percentage of females 18-44 years of age who have ever had any sexual activity with another female partner | 14.2% | 17.6% (0.58) |
Sources:
1Chandra A, Copen CE, Mosher WD. Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attraction, and Sexual Identity in the United States: Data from the 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth. In: Baumle AK (ed). International Handbooks of Population, International Handbook on the Demography of Sexuality. Volume VI: Springer Science and Business Media Dordrecht, 2013:45-66. (Available upon request at nsfg@cdc.gov)
2Special tabulations by NCHS
Sexual activity between males
Oral or anal sex between males
2006-2010 | 2011-2015 | |
---|---|---|
Percentage of males 15-44 years of age who have ever had oral or anal sex with another male | 5.1%1 | 5.1% (0.30)3 |
Percentage of males 15-44 years of age who have had oral or anal sex with another male in the last 12 months | 2.1%2 | 3.2% (0.23)3 |
Sources:
1Chandra A, Copen CE, Mosher WD. Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attraction, and Sexual Identity in the United States: Data from the 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth. In: Baumle AK (ed). International Handbooks of Population, International Handbook on the Demography of Sexuality. Volume VI: Springer Science and Business Media Dordrecht, 2013:45-66. (Available upon request at nsfg@cdc.gov)
2NHSR No. 46, Table 1[PDF – 188 KB]
3Special tabulations by NCHS
Oral sex between males
2006-20101 | 2011-20152 | |
---|---|---|
Percentage of males 15-44 years of age who have ever had oral sex with another male | 5.0% | 5.0% (0.29) |
Sources:
1Chandra A, Copen CE, Mosher WD. Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attraction, and Sexual Identity in the United States: Data from the 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth. In: Baumle AK (ed). International Handbooks of Population, International Handbook on the Demography of Sexuality. Volume VI: Springer Science and Business Media Dordrecht, 2013:45-66. (Available upon request at nsfg@cdc.gov)
2Special tabulations by NCHS
Top of Page
Sexual activity between males and females
Vaginal sexual intercourse
Age at first sexual intercourse
20021 | 2006-20102 | 2011-20152 | |
---|---|---|---|
Mean age at first intercourse after menarche for women aged 15-44 | 17.4 years | 17.1 years | 17.3 years (0.07) |
Sources:
1Series 23, No. 25, Table 33 [PDF – 4.7 MB]
2Special tabulation by NCHS
20021 | 2006-20102 | 2011-20152 | |
---|---|---|---|
Mean age at first intercourse for men aged 15-44 | 17.0 years | 17.1 years | 17.0 years (0.07) |
Sources:
1Series 23, No. 26, Table 14 [PDF – 3.5 MB]
2Special tabulation by NCHS
- Ever had sexual intercourse-teenagers – See Teenagers
- First sexual intercourse before marriage – See Premarital sex
- Contraceptive use at first sexual intercourse – See Contraception
- Nonvoluntary sexual intercourse – See Nonvoluntary sexual intercourse
- Unwanted sexual intercourse – See Unwanted sexual intercourse
- Forced intercourse – See Forced intercourse
- Number of sexual partners in the past 12 months – See Number of sexual partners in the past 12 months
- Number of sexual partners in lifetime – See Number of sexual partners in lifetime
Oral sex – males and females
Percentage of males and females 15-44 years of age in 2002, 2006-2010 and 2011-2015 who had ever had oral sex with an opposite-sex partner:
20021 | 2006-20102 | 2011-20153 | |
---|---|---|---|
Men | 83.0% | 81.7% | 82.6% (0.67) |
Women | 82.0% | 80.4% | 80.8% (0.75) |
Sources:
1NHSR No. 36, Table 5 and 6 [PDF – 603 KB]
2Chandra A, Copen CE, Mosher WD. Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attraction, and Sexual Identity in the
United States: Data from the 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth. In: Baumle AK (ed).
International Handbooks of Population, International Handbook on the Demography of Sexuality.
Volume VI: Springer Science and Business Media Dordrecht, 2013:45-66. (Available upon
request at nsfg@cdc.gov)
3Special tabulation by NCHS
Percentage of teenagers 15-19 years of age in 2006-2010 and 2011-2015 who have ever had oral sex with an opposite-sex partner:
2006-20101 | 2011-20152 | |
---|---|---|
Men | 48.4% | 51.4% (1.65) |
Women | 46.3% | 45.5% (1.99) |
Sources:
1Chandra A, Copen CE, Mosher WD. Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attraction, and Sexual Identity in the United States: Data from the 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth. In: Baumle AK (ed). International Handbooks of Population, International Handbook on the Demography of Sexuality. Volume VI: Springer Science and Business Media Dordrecht, 2013:45-66. (Available upon request at nsfg@cdc.gov)
2Special tabulation by NCHS
Anal sex – males and females
Percentage of males and females 15-44 years of age in 2002, 2006-2010, and 2011-2015 who have ever had anal sex with an opposite-sex partner:
20021 | 2006-20102 | 2011-20153 | |
---|---|---|---|
Men | 34.0% | 37.0% | 37.7% (0.90) |
Women | 30.0% | 31.6% | 33.3% (0.72) |
Sources:
1NHSR No. 36, Table 5 and 6 [PDF – 603 KB]
2Chandra A, Copen CE, Mosher WD. Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attraction, and Sexual Identity in the
United States: Data from the 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth. In: Baumle AK (ed).
International Handbooks of Population, International Handbook on the Demography of Sexuality.
Volume VI: Springer Science and Business Media Dordrecht, 2013:45-66. (Available upon
request at nsfg@cdc.gov)
3Special tabulation by NCHS
Sexual identity and attraction
Sexual identity for men and women 18-44 years of age
Females 2006-20101 |
Males 2006-20101 |
Females 2011-20152 |
Males 2011-20152 |
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Heterosexual or straight | 93.6% | 95.6% | 91.7% (0.39) | 95.1% (0.31) |
Homosexual or gay (or lesbian) | 1.2% | 1.8% | 1.6% (0.16) | 1.8% (0.18) |
Bisexual | 3.9% | 1.2% | 5.6% (0.33) | 1.8% (0.19) |
Sources:
1Chandra A, Copen CE, Mosher WD. Sexual Behavior, Sexual Attraction, and Sexual Identity in the
United States: Data from the 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth. In: Baumle AK (ed).
International Handbooks of Population, International Handbook on the Demography of Sexuality.
Volume VI: Springer Science and Business Media Dordrecht, 2013:45-66. (Available upon
request through nsfg@cdc.gov)
2Special tabulation by NCHS
Sexual attraction for men and women 18-44 years of age
Only opposite sex |
Mostly opposite sex |
Equally to both |
Mostly same sex |
Only same sex |
Not sure | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Females 2006-2010 | 82.8% | 12.1% | 2.9% | 0.7% | 0.8% | 0.7% |
Females 2011-2015 | 80.1% (0.60) | 12.7% (0.55) | 3.5 % (0.24) | 0.9% (1.3) | 1.1% (0.15) | 1.0% (0.12) |
Males 2006-2010 | 93.3% | 3.5% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 1.3% | 0.4% |
Males 2011-2015 | 91.2% (0.45) | 4.0% (0.32) | 0.9% (0.16) | 0.7% (0.09) | 1.5% (0.18) | 0.8% (0.13) |
Note: Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding.
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
STD/HIV risk
Number of males and females 15-44 years of age who reported an HIV risk-related behavior (sexual behavior, drug use, and/or STD treatment) in the last 12 months
20021 | 2006-20101 | 2011-20152 | |
---|---|---|---|
Males | 7.95 million | 6.5 million | 6.3 million |
Females | 6.65 million | 4.9 million | 5.0 million |
TOTAL | 14.60 million | 11.4 million | 11.4 million |
Percentage of males and females 15-44 years of age who reported an HIV risk-related behavior (sexual behavior, drug use, and/or STD treatment) in the last 12 months:
20021 | 2006-20101 | 2011-20152 | |
---|---|---|---|
Males | 13.0% | 10.4% | 10.7% (0.49) |
Females | 10.8% | 8.0% | 8.3% (0.40) |
TOTAL | 11.9% | 9.2% | 9.5% (0.31) |
Percentage of males and females 15-44 years of age reporting each behavior in the last 12 months (each behavior may increase an individual’s risk of HIV and other STDs; respondents could report more than one of these behaviors):
20021 | 2006-20101 | 2011-20152 | |
---|---|---|---|
Treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the last 12 months |
3.0% | 3.3% | 3.3% (0.18) |
Five or more opposite-sex partners | 3.5% | 2.8% | 2.9% (0.19) |
Sex in exchange for money or drugs | 2.3% | 1.0% | 0.9% (0.08) |
Having an HIV-positive sex partner | 0.5% | 0.1% | 0.2% (0.03) |
Drug use1: Illicit drug injection or crack cocaine use | 1.5% | N/A | 0.5% (0.07) |
Sexual activity between males (males only) | 2.7% | 2.1% | 2.6% (0.22) |
Women who had male partners who have sex with other males | 2.3% | 1.4% | 1.5% (0.15) |
Any HIV risk-related behavior | 11.9% | 9.2% | 9.5% (0.31) |
Sources:
1NHSR No. 46, Table 1 [PDF – 343 KB]
2Special tabulation by NCHS
Notes: 2006-2010 and 2011-2015 data include crystal methamphetamine use in this measure of drug use in last 12 months.
STD treatment/HIV testing
HIV testing
Percentage of men and women 15-44 years of age who have ever had an HIV test, not counting blood donation:
20021 | 2006-20101 | 2011-20152 | |
---|---|---|---|
Men | 46.5% | 41.9% | 45.8% (0.99) |
Women | 55.3% | 59.1% | 61.3% (0.94) |
Sources:
1NHSR No. 58, Table 1 [PDF – 422 KB]
2Special tabulation by NCHS
Percentage of men and women 15-44 years of age who had an HIV test (not counting blood donation) in the last 12 months:
20021 | 2006-20101 | 2011-20152 | |
---|---|---|---|
Men | 15.0% | 13.0% | 15.5% (0.65) |
Women | 20.0% | 21.4% | 23.0% (0.78) |
Sources:
1NHSR No. 58, Figure 1, Figure 2 and Table 3 [PDF – 422 KB]
2Special tabulation by NCHS
Percentage of men and women 15-44 years of age who had an HIV test outside of blood donation by whether they engaged in an HIV risk-related behavior in the last 12 months, 2011-2015:
Engaged in 1 or more risk-related behaviors in last 12 months | Engaged in no HIV risk-related behaviors in last 12 months | |
Men 2006-20101 | 33.5% | 10.6% |
Men 2011-20152 | 37.5% (2.09) | 12.8% (0.62) |
Women 2006-20101 | 43.0% | 19.7% |
Women 2011-20152 | 45.7% (2.24) | 20.9% (0.80) |
Sources:
1NHSR No. 58, Table 4 [PDF – 422 KB]
2Special tabulation by NCHS
STD treatment
Percentage of men and women 15-44 years of age who received treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) other than HIV in the last 12 months among men and women 15-44 years of age:
20021 | 2006-20101 | 2011-20152 | |
---|---|---|---|
Women | 3.4% | 4.1% | 4.2% (0.27) |
Men | 2.6% | 2.6% | 2.3% (0.19) |
Total (men and women) | 3.0% | 3.3% | 3.3% (0.18) |
Sources:
1NHSR No. 46, Table 1 [PDF – 343 KB]
2Special tabulation by NCHS
Sterilization (female)
Percentage ever having a female sterilization operation
Percentage of women 15-44 years of age in 2002, 2006-2010 and 2011-2015 who have ever had a sterilizing operation, by type of operation:
2002 | 2006-2010 | 2011-2015 | |
---|---|---|---|
Tubal sterilization | 16.2% | 15.0% | 13.4% (0.65) |
Hysterectomy | 4.1% | 3.7% | 3.2% (0.27) |
Other operations | 2.5% | 2.2% | 2.3% (0.21) |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
Percentage of women 40-44 years of age in 2011-2015 who have ever had a sterilization operation by type of operation:
2011-2015 | |
---|---|
Operation Type | |
Tubal sterilization | 29.8% (1.76) |
Hysterectomy | 10.6% (1.15) |
Other operations | 6.9% (0.92) |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
Main reason for operation
Among women 15-44 years of age in 2011-2015 who had tubal sterilizations within the past 5 years, percent distribution by main reason for the tubal sterilization:
2006-2010 | 2011-2015 | |
---|---|---|
She had all the children she wanted | 63.7% | 66.6% (2.63) |
Her husband or partner had all the children he wanted | 4.5% | 6.9% (1.35) |
Medical reasons for the tubal sterilization | 23.8% | 21.5% (2.30) |
Problems with other methods of birth control | 3.0% | 1.7% (0.56) |
Other reasons | 5.1% | 3.3% (0.76) |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
Among women 15-44 years of age in 2011-2015 who had hysterectomies within the past 5 years, percent distribution by main reason for the hysterectomy:
2006-2010 | 2011-2015 | |
---|---|---|
She had all the children she wanted | 2.1% | 5.3% (1.60) |
Medical reasons for the hysterectomy | 96.2% | 89.6% (3.59) |
Other reasons | 1.7% | 5.1% (3.38) |
Source: Special tabulation by NCHS
- Page last reviewed: August 14, 2017
- Page last updated: August 14, 2017
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