Estimating the size of key
risk groups susceptible to HIV/sexually transmitted diseases (STI) is necessary
for establishment of interventions and budget allocation.
This study aimed to
identify various dimensions of sexual orientation and practices in Israel, and
correlate the findings with sexual risk behavior (SRB). It used a random
representative sample of the Jewish population aged 18-44 years who completed
online questionnaires regarding their self-identified sexual orientation,
attraction and practices, and SRB. Concordant heterosexuals were those who
self-reported heterosexual identity, were attracted and had sex only with the
opposite gender. National estimates regarding prevalence of gay, lesbian, and bisexual men and women were based on the civil
census.
The sample included 997 men and 1005 women, of whom 11.3 and
15.2 % were attracted to the same-gender, 10.2 and 8.7 % reported
lifetime same-gender encounters, while 8.2 and 4.8 % self-identified as gay or
bisexual men and lesbian or bisexual women, respectively. The estimated
population of self-identified Jewish gay or
bisexual men and lesbian or bisexual women aged 18-44 in Israel was 94,176, and
57,671, respectively. SRB was more common among self-identified gays or
bisexual men and among discordant heterosexual men and women.
Those who
reported same-gender sexual practices reported greater SRB than those who only
had opposite-gender encounters. Interestingly, SRB among discordant
heterosexuals was associated with same-sex behavior rather than attraction.
Health practitioners should increase their awareness of sexual diversity among
their clientele, and should recognize that risk for HIV/STI may exist among
self-identified heterosexuals, who may not disclose their actual sexual attraction
or practices.
Purchase full article at: http://goo.gl/nrRqOc
By: Mor Z1, Davidovich U2.
- 1Ramla Department of Health, Ministry of Health, 3 Danny Mass St., 72100, Ramla, Israel. zohar.mor@rml.health.gov.il.
- 2Geneeskundige en Gezondheidsdienst, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Arch Sex Behav. 2016 Jan 11.
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