Oral sexual experience among young adolescents receiving general health examinations

Objective: To examine whether oral sex occurs among young adolescents receiving general health examinations and warrants inclusion in sexual risk assessments. Methods: Confidential, interviewer-assisted questionnaires completed by 12 to 15-year-olds (n=335). Results: Overall, 18% of adolescents reported having oral sex. Among adolescents who had oral sex, 25% reported no vaginal sex. Few adolescents reported using barrier protection during oral sex. Most adolescents thought that penile-vaginal sex (96%) and penile-anal sex (81%) can transmit HIV, but 68% thought that penile-mouth sex can transmit HIV. Conclusion: Unprotected oral sex among young adolescents warrants attention in research and clinical sexual assessment.