Table of Contents

Component Description

The ACASI section on sexual behavior (SXQ) provides information on lifetime and current sexual behavior for both men and women. Major items in this section include age at first sexual intercourse, number of sexual partners, sexual orientation, circumcision status (men) and history of sexually transmitted diseases.

Eligible Sample

Survey participants aged 14-69 years were eligible. Several questions in this section are age and gender specific. Mentally impaired individuals, or participants who were unable to understand English or Spanish, were not asked these questions. Only data from participants aged 18-69 years are included in this release. Special use data files for participants 14-17 years are available through the NCHS Research Data Center.

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

The sexual behavior questionnaire was self-administered in a private room at the examination center, using the Audio Computer Assisted Self Interview (ACASI) system. The ACASI was conducted in either English or Spanish. The ACASI enables respondents to hear questions through earphones as well as read questions on the computer screen. Respondents move at their own speed and touch the screen to indicate their response. No proxy respondents or translators were used in situations when the respondents could not self-report. The questionnaire is located on the NHANES website at: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhanes/2009-2010/questionnaires/ai_sxq_f.pdf

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

For details on the QA/QC process for this component, please refer to the MEC Interview Manual on the NHANES website.

Data Processing and Editing

The sexual behavior questionnaire was changed in 2009-2010 to include detailed questions on specific types of sexual behavior. Compared to the previous cycles some questions have been removed, questions have been added, some questions have had slight wording changes and others have stayed the same.  Please see Appendix 1 (for male) and Appendix 2 (for female) for detailed information on variables included in the SXQ section in the latest four release cycles.

In 2009-2010, we no longer ask respondents a general question on whether or not they ever had sex. Instead they are asked separately whether or not they had specific types of sex; vaginal, oral, anal, sex with same-sex partner.  The variable SXD021 (Ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex) was derived from whether or not the respondent had reported having any of the specific types of sex. For example, if a male answered “yes” to having had any of the following types of sex: SXQ800 (Ever had vaginal sex with a woman), SXQ803 (Ever performed oral sex on a woman), SXQ806 (Ever had anal sex with a woman), or SXQ809 (Ever had any sex with a man; anal, oral); he would be coded as a “1” or “yes” in SXD021.

Responses to SXD031 (age at first sexual intercourse), SXD633 (age first performed oral sex on a woman), and SXD621 (age when first had oral sex) that were 9 years or less were grouped and coded as “9 years or younger.”

Information was collected using two-part (number and unit) questions for both SXD630 (last performed oral sex on a new male partner) and SXD642 (last performed oral sex on a new female partner). This is to allow participants to report how long ago they had performed oral sex either in days, weeks, months, or years. The released variables were edited to standardize the reported length of time to number of days, using the following conversion factors: 7 days per week, 30.4 days per month, and 365.25 days per year.

In general, if a person wasn't asked a question, the response to the question is shown as “missing”. It is up to the analysts to recode the response to zero as they see fit. For example, if a respondent reported that they had zero lifetime vaginal sex partners, they wouldn't be asked the number of vaginal sex partners in the past 12 months. Since the respondent does not receive the question about partners in the past 12 months, the data will be coded as missing for this variable. Analysts may want to recode this to “0”.

For questions that ascertain total number of partners for all types of sex (i.e., SXD171, SXD510, SXD101 and SXD450), if the respondent had reported never having any type of sex, the responses were coded as “0”.

Analytic Notes

Analyst should keep in mind that respondents aged 60-69 years get asked only some questions. It is important to refer to the codebook to see the target age for each question.

Although the ACASI has many advantages over interviewer-administered questionnaires for sensitive information, inconsistent responses can occur. Since the questionnaire is self-administered, unlikely answers or confusing questions cannot be clarified by the interviewer. Although, the questionnaire was programmed to alert respondents of potential data entry errors or inconsistencies, not every possible consistency check was added. To minimize potential respondent frustration and confusion, the interview was not interrupted each time an inconsistent answer occurred in terms of the number of sexual partners for different periods of recall for different types of sexual behavior.

Users are cautioned about the use of SXQ292 and SXQ294 in analyses, especially in analyses that classify respondents by their responses to these questions to describe or compare subgroup characteristics. The sample size for the non-heterosexual subgroups is limited and do not meet the minimum sample size requirements for statistical reliability as noted in the NHANES analytic guidelines1. Even after combining multiple years of data, which is often recommended to estimate rarer conditions within a subgroup, the non-heterosexual subgroups do not meet the minimum sample size. Additionally, there is a high rate of not selecting a specific answer to the questions. That is, selecting ‘don’t know’, ‘refused’, ‘not sure’ or ‘something else’ as a response. This issue has been examined at length at the NCHS Questionnaire Design Research Laboratory (QDRL) recently. Individuals select these answers for a variety of reasons that are well summarized in the report Design, Development and Testing of the NHIS Sexual Identity Question2, specifically in Table 2. For example, respondents from the LGBT community select “something else’ when they use a different sexual identity label than those presented in the response options. However, those who aren’t part of the LGBT community select this answer because they are not familiar with what the response options mean. 

Analysts should be aware that the 2009-2010 sexual behavior data has some inconsistencies in terms of number of partners reported in the past 12 months. About 10% of respondents reported a greater number of vaginal sex partners in the past 12 months compared with number of “total” sex partners in the past 12 months.

Exam sample weights should be used for analyses. Please refer to the NHANES Analytic Guidelines and the on-line NHANES Tutorial for further details on the use of sample weights and other analytic issues.

Special use data files for participants 14-17 years is available through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC).

Codebook and Frequencies

SEQN - Respondent sequence number

Variable Name:
SEQN
SAS Label:
Respondent sequence number
English Text:
Respondent sequence number.
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXD021 - Ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex

Variable Name:
SXD021
SAS Label:
Ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex
English Text:
Ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
English Instructions:
Derived variable based on several questions.
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 4305 4305
2 No 232 4537
7 Refused 2 4539
9 Don't know 0 4539
. Missing 763 5302

SXQ800 - Ever had vaginal sex with a woman

Variable Name:
SXQ800
SAS Label:
Ever had vaginal sex with a woman
English Text:
Have you ever had vaginal sex, also called sexual intercourse, with a woman? This means your penis in a woman's vagina.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select...
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 2099 2099
2 No 174 2273
7 Refused 4 2277
9 Don't know 5 2282
. Missing 3020 5302

SXQ803 - Ever performed oral sex on a woman

Variable Name:
SXQ803
SAS Label:
Ever performed oral sex on a woman
English Text:
Have you ever performed oral sex on a woman? This means putting your mouth on a woman's vagina or genitals.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . .
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1777 1777
2 No 491 2268
7 Refused 8 2276
9 Don't know 5 2281
. Missing 3021 5302

SXQ806 - Ever had anal sex with a woman

Variable Name:
SXQ806
SAS Label:
Ever had anal sex with a woman
English Text:
Have you ever had anal sex with a woman? Anal sex means contact between your penis and a woman's anus or butt.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . .
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 926 926
2 No 1349 2275
7 Refused 5 2280
9 Don't know 1 2281
. Missing 3021 5302

SXQ809 - Ever had any sex with a man: anal, oral

Variable Name:
SXQ809
SAS Label:
Ever had any sex with a man: anal, oral
English Text:
Have you ever had any kind of sex with a man, including oral or anal?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . .
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 105 105
2 No 2162 2267
7 Refused 7 2274
9 Don't know 7 2281
. Missing 3021 5302

SXD862 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD862
English Instructions:
BOX 1A CHECK ITEM SXD.862: IF SXQ.800, SXQ.803, SXQ.806, AND SXQ.809 NOT EQUAL TO '1', GO TO BOX 8. OTHERWISE, SXD031.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ700 - Ever had vaginal sex with a man

Variable Name:
SXQ700
SAS Label:
Ever had vaginal sex with a man
English Text:
Have you ever had vaginal sex, also called sexual intercourse, with a man? This means a man's penis in your vagina.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . .
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 2127 2127
2 No 140 2267
7 Refused 6 2273
9 Don't know 1 2274
. Missing 3028 5302

SXQ703 - Ever performed oral sex on a man

Variable Name:
SXQ703
SAS Label:
Ever performed oral sex on a man
English Text:
Have you ever performed oral sex on a man? This means putting your mouth on a man's penis or genitals.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . .
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1665 1665
2 No 594 2259
7 Refused 10 2269
9 Don't know 2 2271
. Missing 3031 5302

SXQ706 - Ever had anal sex with a man

Variable Name:
SXQ706
SAS Label:
Ever had anal sex with a man
English Text:
Have you ever had anal sex? This means contact between a man's penis and your anus or butt.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . .
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 789 789
2 No 1476 2265
7 Refused 6 2271
9 Don't know 0 2271
. Missing 3031 5302

SXQ709 - Ever had any kind of sex with a woman

Variable Name:
SXQ709
SAS Label:
Ever had any kind of sex with a woman
English Text:
Have you ever had any kind of sex with a woman? By sex, we mean sexual contact with another woman's vagina or genitals.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . .
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 185 185
2 No 2084 2269
7 Refused 2 2271
9 Don't know 0 2271
. Missing 3031 5302

SXQ762 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ762
English Instructions:
BOX 1A CHECK ITEM SXQ.762: IF SP 60-69 YEARS AND SXQ.703 OR SXQ.709 = 1 AND SXQ.700 = 2 AND SXQ.706 = 2, GO TO END OF SECTION. IF SXQ.700, SXQ.703, SXQ.706, AND SXQ.709 NOT EQUAL TO '1', GO TO BOX 11. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXD031 - How old when first had sex

Variable Name:
SXD031
SAS Label:
How old when first had sex
English Text:
How old were you when you had sex for the first time?
English Instructions:
VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter an age. ENTER AGE IN YEARS.
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0 to 69
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
10 to 55 Range of Values 4216 4216
9 9 years or younger 66 4282
77 Refused 6 4288
99 Don't know 10 4298
. Missing 1004 5302

SXD801 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD801
English Instructions:
BOX 1 CHECK ITEM SXD.801: IF SXQ800 = 1 OR SXQ803 = 1 OR SXQ806 = 1 THEN GO TO SXD171, IF SXQ700 = 1 OR SXQ703 = 1 OR SXQ706 = 1 THEN GO TO SXD101. OTHERWISE, IF MALE GO TO CHECKBOX SXQ833. OTHERWISE, IF FEMALE GO TO CHECKBOX SXD733
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXD171 - # female sex partners/lifetime

Variable Name:
SXD171
SAS Label:
# female sex partners/lifetime
English Text:
In your lifetime, with how many women have you had any kind of sex?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 1000 Range of Values 2241 2241
2000 2000 or more 5 2246
77777 Refused 5 2251
99999 Don't know 12 2263
. Missing 3039 5302

SXD815 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD815
English Instructions:
BOX 2 CHECK ITEM SXD.815: IF SP 60-69 YEARS AND SXQ.809 = 1, GO TO SXQ.410. IF SP 60-69 YEARS AND SXQ.809 NOT EQUAL TO 1, GO TO END OF SECTION. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE WITH SXD510.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXD510 - # female sex partners/year

Variable Name:
SXD510
SAS Label:
# female sex partners/year
English Text:
In the past 12 months, with how many women have you had any kind of sex?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number or enter zero for none.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 100 Range of Values 1869 1869
77777 Refused 1 1870
99999 Don't know 0 1870
. Missing 3432 5302

SXQ821 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ821
English Instructions:
BOX 3 CHECK ITEM SXQ.821: IF SXQ.800 = 1, GO TO SXQ.824. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 4.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ824 - # female vaginal sex partners/lifetime

Variable Name:
SXQ824
SAS Label:
# female vaginal sex partners/lifetime
English Text:
In your lifetime, with how many women have you had vaginal sex? Vaginal sex means your penis in a woman's vagina.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 1000 Range of Values 1711 1711
2000 2000 or more 1 1712
77777 Refused 3 1715
99999 Don't know 9 1724
. Missing 3578 5302

SXQ827 - # female vaginal sex partners/year

Variable Name:
SXQ827
SAS Label:
# female vaginal sex partners/year
English Text:
In the past 12 months, with how many women have you had vaginal sex? Vaginal sex means your penis in a woman's vagina.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number or enter zero for none.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 126 Range of Values 1718 1718
2000 2000 or more 1 1719
77777 Refused 3 1722
99999 Don't know 2 1724
. Missing 3578 5302

SXQ830 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ830
English Instructions:
BOX 4 CHECK ITEM SXQ.830: IF SXQ.803 = 1, GO TO SXD.633. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 5.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXD633 - Age first performed oral sex on a woman

Variable Name:
SXD633
SAS Label:
Age first performed oral sex on a woman
English Text:
How old were you when you first performed oral sex on a woman? Performing oral sex means your mouth on a woman's vagina or genitals.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter an age. ENTER AGE IN YEARS
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0 to 59
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
10 to 53 Range of Values 1624 1624
9 9 years or younger 16 1640
77 Refused 3 1643
99 Don't know 2 1645
. Missing 3657 5302

SXQ636 - # female performed oral sex/lifetime

Variable Name:
SXQ636
SAS Label:
# female performed oral sex/lifetime
English Text:
In your lifetime, on how many women have you performed oral sex?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number.
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 1000 Range of Values 1638 1638
2000 2000 or more 2 1640
77777 Refused 4 1644
99999 Don't know 1 1645
. Missing 3657 5302

SXQ639 - # female performed oral sex/year

Variable Name:
SXQ639
SAS Label:
# female performed oral sex/year
English Text:
In the past 12 months, on how many women have you performed oral sex?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number or enter zero for none.
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 50 Range of Values 1643 1643
77777 Refused 0 1643
99999 Don't know 2 1645
. Missing 3657 5302

SXQ868 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ868
English Instructions:
BOX 4B CHECK ITEM SXQ.868: IF SP HAD ONLY 1 LIFETIME ORAL SEX PARTNER (CODED '1') IN SXQ.636, GO TO BOX 5. OTHERWISE CONTINUE.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXD642 - Performed oral sex new female (days)

Variable Name:
SXD642
SAS Label:
Performed oral sex new female (days)
English Text:
How long has it been since the last time you performed oral sex on a new female partner? A new sexual partner is someone that you had never had sex with before.
English Instructions:
ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 13880 Range of Values 1240 1240
77777 Refused 9 1249
99999 Don't know 6 1255
. Missing 4047 5302

SXQ833 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ833
English Instructions:
BOX 5 CHECK ITEM SXQ.833: IF SXQ.809 = 1, GO TO SXQ.410. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 9.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ410 - # men anal/oral sex partners/lifetime

Variable Name:
SXQ410
SAS Label:
# men anal/oral sex partners/lifetime
English Text:
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had anal or oral sex?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number or enter zero for none.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 100 Range of Values 102 102
2000 2000 or more 1 103
77777 Refused 1 104
99999 Don't know 1 105
. Missing 5197 5302

SXQ875 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ875
English Instructions:
BOX 5B CHECK ITEM SXQ.875: IF SP IS 60-69 YEARS, GO TO SXQ.836. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE WITH SXQ.550.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ550 - # men anal/oral sex partners/year

Variable Name:
SXQ550
SAS Label:
# men anal/oral sex partners/year
English Text:
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had anal or oral sex?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number or enter zero for none.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 50 Range of Values 85 85
77777 Refused 0 85
99999 Don't know 0 85
. Missing 5217 5302

SXQ836 - # men anal sex partners/lifetime

Variable Name:
SXQ836
SAS Label:
# men anal sex partners/lifetime
English Text:
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had anal sex?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number or enter zero for none.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 500 Range of Values 104 104
77777 Refused 0 104
99999 Don't know 1 105
. Missing 5197 5302

SXQ839 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ839
English Instructions:
BOX 6 CHECK ITEM SXQ.839: IF SP IS 60-69 YEARS, GO TO SXQ.853. IF SP HAD NO ANAL SEX PARTNERS (CODED '0000' IN SXQ.836), GO TO SXQ.853. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE WITH SXQ.841.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ841 - # men anal sex partners/year

Variable Name:
SXQ841
SAS Label:
# men anal sex partners/year
English Text:
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had anal sex?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number or enter zero for none.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 10 Range of Values 63 63
77777 Refused 0 63
99999 Don't know 0 63
. Missing 5239 5302

SXQ853 - Ever performed oral sex on a man

Variable Name:
SXQ853
SAS Label:
Ever performed oral sex on a man
English Text:
Have you ever performed oral sex on a man? Performing oral sex means your mouth on a man's penis or genitals.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . .
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 84 84
2 No 21 105
7 Refused 0 105
9 Don't know 0 105
. Missing 5197 5302

SXD847 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD847
English Instructions:
BOX 7 CHECK ITEM SXQ.847: IF SP NEVER HAD ORAL MALE PARTNER (CODED '2', '7', OR '9') IN SXQ.853 AND SP IS 60-69 YEARS, GO TO END OF SECTION. IF SP NEVER HAD ORAL MALE PARTNER (CODED '2', '7', OR '9') IN SXQ.853 AND SP IS 14-59 YEARS, GO TO BOX 9A. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE WITH SXD621.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXD621 - How old when first had oral sex

Variable Name:
SXD621
SAS Label:
How old when first had oral sex
English Text:
How old were you when you first performed oral sex on a man? Performing oral sex means your mouth on a man's penis or genitals.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter an age.
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0 to 69
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
10 to 66 Range of Values 1496 1496
9 9 years or younger 20 1516
77 Refused 3 1519
99 Don't know 2 1521
. Missing 3781 5302

SXQ624 - # male oral sex partners/lifetime

Variable Name:
SXQ624
SAS Label:
# male oral sex partners/lifetime
English Text:
In your lifetime, on how many men have you performed oral sex?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number.
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 250 Range of Values 1514 1514
2000 2000 or more 1 1515
77777 Refused 4 1519
99999 Don't know 2 1521
. Missing 3781 5302

SXQ850 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ850
English Instructions:
BOX 8 CHECK ITEM SXQ.850: IF SP 60-69 YEARS, GO TO END OF SECTION. IF SXQ.800, SXQ.803, SXQ.806, AND SXQ.809 = 2, 7, OR 9, GO TO SXQ.280. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE WITH SXQ.627.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ627 - # male oral sex partners/year

Variable Name:
SXQ627
SAS Label:
# male oral sex partners/year
English Text:
In the past 12 months, on how many men have you performed oral sex?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number or enter zero for none.
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 65 Range of Values 1508 1508
77777 Refused 2 1510
99999 Don't know 0 1510
. Missing 3792 5302

SXQ765 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ765
English Instructions:
BOX 5 CHECK ITEM SXQ.765: IF SP HAD ONLY 1 LIFETIME ORAL SEX PARTNER (CODED '1') IN SXQ.624, GO TO BOX 6. OTHERWISE CONTINUE.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ865 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ865
English Instructions:
BOX 8B CHECK ITEM SXQ.865: IF SP HAD ONLY 1 LIFETIME MALE ORAL SEX PARTNER (CODED '1') IN SXQ.624, GO TO BOX 9A. OTHERWISE CONTINUE.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXD630 - Last performed oral sex new male (days)

Variable Name:
SXD630
SAS Label:
Last performed oral sex new male (days)
English Text:
How long has it been since the last time you performed oral sex on a new male partner? A new sexual partner is someone that you had never had sex with before.
English Instructions:
ENTER NUMBER OF DAYS
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 13514 Range of Values 1063 1063
77777 Refused 2 1065
99999 Don't know 5 1070
. Missing 4232 5302

SXD844 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD844
English Instructions:
BOX 9A CHECK ITEM SXQ.844: IF SP DID NOT HAVE A PARTNER IN PAST 12 MONTHS (SXQ.627, SXQ.639, SXD510, SXQ.827, AND SXQ.841 CODED '0000' OR MISSING), GO TO SXQ.260. IF SXQ.809 = 1 AND SXQ.800, SXQ.803, OR SXQ.806 = 1, THEN DISPLAY "The next set of questions is about all of your partners, males and females.", THEN GO TO BOX 9. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 9.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXD744 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD744
English Instructions:
BOX 7A CHECK ITEM SXQ.744: IF SP DID NOT HAVE A PARTNER IN PAST 12 MONTHS (SXD450, SXQ.727, SXQ.627, SXQ639, AND SXQ490 CODED '0000' OR MISSING), GO TO SXQ.260. IF SXQ.709 = 1 AND SXQ.700, SXQ.703, OR SXQ.706 = 1, THEN DISPLAY "The next set of questions is about all of your partners, males and females.", THEN GO TO BOX 7. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 7.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ845 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ845
English Instructions:
BOX 9 CHECK ITEM SXQ.845: IF SP HAD ORAL SEX PARTNER IN PAST 12 MONTHS (SXQ.627 OR SXQ.639 GREATER THAN '0000'), GO TO SXQ.645. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 9B.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ645 - Use protection when performing oral sex

Variable Name:
SXQ645
SAS Label:
Use protection when performing oral sex
English Text:
When you performed oral sex in the past 12 months, how often would you use protection, like a condom or dental dam?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select one of the following choices.
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Never 1869 1869
2 Rarely 136 2005
3 Usually 105 2110
4 Always 152 2262
5 Unsure 36 2298
7 Refused 3 2301
9 Don't know 7 2308
. Missing 2994 5302

SXD871 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD871
English Instructions:
BOX 9B CHECK ITEM SXQ.871: IF SXD510, SXQ.841, OR SXQ.827 GREATER THAN '0000', GO TO SXQ.648. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 11.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ648 - Had sex with new partner/year

Variable Name:
SXQ648
SAS Label:
Had sex with new partner/year
English Text:
In the past 12 months, did you have any kind of sex with a person that you never had sex with before?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . .
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 581 581
2 No 2576 3157
7 Refused 1 3158
9 Don't know 3 3161
. Missing 2141 5302

SXQ859 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ859
English Instructions:
BOX 10A CHECK ITEM SXQ.859: IF SXQ.800, SXQ.806, AND SXQ.809 NOT EQUAL TO '1', GO TO BOX 11. OTHERWISE, GO TO SXQ.610.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ610 - # times had vaginal or anal sex/year

Variable Name:
SXQ610
SAS Label:
# times had vaginal or anal sex/year
English Text:
In the past 12 months, about how many times have you had {vaginal or anal/vaginal/anal} sex?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select one of the following choices.
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Never 138 138
1 Once 162 300
2 2-11 times 718 1018
3 12-51 times 924 1942
4 52-103 times 620 2562
5 104-364 times 514 3076
6 365 times or more 58 3134
77 Refused 13 3147
99 Don't know 5 3152
. Missing 2150 5302

SXD245 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD245
English Instructions:
BOX 10 CHECK ITEM SXD.245: IF SP DID NOT HAVE VAGINAL OR ANAL SEX (CODED '0') IN SXQ.610, GO TO BOX 11. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE WITH SXQ.251.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ251 - # times had sex without condom/year

Variable Name:
SXQ251
SAS Label:
# times had sex without condom/year
English Text:
In the past 12 months, about how often have you had {vaginal or anal/vaginal/anal} sex without using a condom?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select one of the following choices.
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Never 820 820
2 Less than half of the time 404 1224
3 About half of the time 207 1431
4 Not always, but more than half of the time 251 1682
5 Always 1321 3003
7 Refused 7 3010
9 Don't know 3 3013
. Missing 2289 5302

SXD856 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD856
English Instructions:
BOX 11 CHECK ITEM SXQ.856: IF SP 14-29 YEARS AND IF SP HAD PARTNER IN PAST 12 MONTHS (SXQ.627, SXQ.639, SXD510, SXQ.827, OR SXQ.841 GREATER THAN '0000'), GO TO SXQ590. OTHERWISE, GO TO SXQ.260.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ590 - # sex partners five years older/year

Variable Name:
SXQ590
SAS Label:
# sex partners five years older/year
English Text:
Of the persons you had any kind of sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years older than you?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number or enter zero for none.
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 29 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 900 Range of Values 970 970
77777 Refused 1 971
99999 Don't know 2 973
. Missing 4329 5302

SXQ600 - # sex partners five years younger/year

Variable Name:
SXQ600
SAS Label:
# sex partners five years younger/year
English Text:
Of the persons you had any kind of sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years younger than you?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number or enter zero for none.
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 29 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 19 Range of Values 971 971
77777 Refused 1 972
99999 Don't know 1 973
. Missing 4329 5302

SXD001 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD001
English Instructions:
IF SP IS MALE AND 18-59 YEARS OLD THEN GO TO SXQ260.
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS

SXD002 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD002
English Instructions:
IF SP IS FEMALE AND 14-59 YEARS OLD THEN GO TO SXQ753.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXD101 - # male sex partners/lifetime

Variable Name:
SXD101
SAS Label:
# male sex partners/lifetime
English Text:
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had any kind of sex?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 250 Range of Values 2237 2237
2000 2000 or more 1 2238
77777 Refused 14 2252
99999 Don't know 6 2258
. Missing 3044 5302

SXD715 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD715
English Instructions:
BOX 2 CHECK ITEM SXQ.715: IF SP 60-69 YEARS, GO TO END OF SECTION. OTHERWISE, GO TO SXD450.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXD450 - # male sex partners/year

Variable Name:
SXD450
SAS Label:
# male sex partners/year
English Text:
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had any kind of sex?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number or enter zero for none.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 25 Range of Values 1857 1857
77777 Refused 2 1859
99999 Don't know 0 1859
. Missing 3443 5302

SXQ721 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ721
English Instructions:
BOX 3 CHECK ITEM SXQ.721: IF SXQ.700 = 1, GO TO SXQ.724. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 4.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ724 - # male vaginal sex partners/lifetime

Variable Name:
SXQ724
SAS Label:
# male vaginal sex partners/lifetime
English Text:
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had vaginal sex? Vaginal sex means a man's penis in your vagina.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 250 Range of Values 1731 1731
2000 2000 or more 1 1732
77777 Refused 10 1742
99999 Don't know 2 1744
. Missing 3558 5302

SXQ727 - # male vaginal sex partners/year

Variable Name:
SXQ727
SAS Label:
# male vaginal sex partners/year
English Text:
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had vaginal sex? Vaginal sex means a man's penis in your vagina.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number or enter zero for none.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 100 Range of Values 1737 1737
77777 Refused 6 1743
99999 Don't know 1 1744
. Missing 3558 5302

SXQ730 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ730
English Instructions:
BOX 4 CHECK ITEM SXQ.730: IF SXQ.703 = 1, GO TO SXQ.621. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 6.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXD733 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD733
English Instructions:
BOX 6 CHECK ITEM SXQ.733: IF SXQ.709 = 1, GO TO SXQ130. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 7.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ130 - # female sex partners/lifetime

Variable Name:
SXQ130
SAS Label:
# female sex partners/lifetime
English Text:
In your lifetime with how many women have you had sex? By sex, we mean sexual contact with another woman's vagina or genitals.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 700 Range of Values 173 173
2000 2000 or more 1 174
77777 Refused 0 174
99999 Don't know 0 174
. Missing 5128 5302

SXQ490 - # female sex partners/year

Variable Name:
SXQ490
SAS Label:
# female sex partners/year
English Text:
In the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex? By sex, we mean sexual contact with another woman's vagina or genitals.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please enter a number or enter zero for none.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 27 Range of Values 174 174
77777 Refused 0 174
99999 Don't know 0 174
. Missing 5128 5302

SXQ741 - Ever performed oral sex on a woman

Variable Name:
SXQ741
SAS Label:
Ever performed oral sex on a woman
English Text:
Have you ever performed oral sex on a woman? Performing oral sex means your mouth on a woman's vagina or genitals.
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . .
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 133 133
2 No 41 174
7 Refused 0 174
9 Don't know 0 174
. Missing 5128 5302

SXQ768 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ768
English Instructions:
BOX 6B CHECK ITEM SXQ.768: IF SP HAD ONLY 1 LIFETIME ORAL SEX PARTNER (CODED '1') IN SXQ.636, GO TO BOX 7A. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ747 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ747
English Instructions:
BOX 7 CHECK ITEM SXQ.747: IF SP HAD ORAL SEX PARTNER IN PAST 12 MONTHS (SXQ.627 OR SXQ.639 GREATER THAN '0000'), THEN GO TO SXQ.645. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 7B.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXD771 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD771
English Instructions:
BOX 7B CHECK ITEM SXQ.771: IF SXD450, SXQ.727, OR SXQ490 GREATER THAN '0000', GO TO SXQ.648. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 9.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ759 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ759
English Instructions:
BOX 8A CHECK ITEM SXQ.759: IF SXQ.700 OR SXQ.706 = 1, THEN CONTINUE. OTHERWISE, GO TO BOX 9,
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXD750 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD750
English Instructions:
BOX 9 CHECK ITEM SXQ.750: IF SP 14-29 YEARS AND IF SP HAD PARTNER IN PAST 12 MONTHS (SXD450, SXQ.727, SXQ.627, SXQ.639, OR SXQ490 GREATER THAN '0000'), GO TO SXQ590. OTHERWISE CONTINUE.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ753 - Ever told by doctor, you had HPV

Variable Name:
SXQ753
SAS Label:
Ever told by doctor, you had HPV
English Text:
Has a doctor or other health care professional ever told you that you had human papillomavirus or HPV?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . .
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 135 135
2 No 1633 1768
7 Refused 0 1768
9 Don't know 0 1768
. Missing 3534 5302

SXQ260 - Doctor ever told you had genital herpes

Variable Name:
SXQ260
SAS Label:
Doctor ever told you had genital herpes
English Text:
Has a doctor or other health care professional ever told you that you had genital herpes?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . .
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 110 110
2 No 3413 3523
7 Refused 3 3526
9 Don't know 5 3531
. Missing 1771 5302

SXQ265 - Doctor ever told you had genital warts

Variable Name:
SXQ265
SAS Label:
Doctor ever told you had genital warts
English Text:
Has a doctor or other health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . .
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 120 120
2 No 3407 3527
7 Refused 1 3528
9 Don't know 3 3531
. Missing 1771 5302

SXQ270 - Doctor ever told you had gonorrhea

Variable Name:
SXQ270
SAS Label:
Doctor ever told you had gonorrhea
English Text:
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had gonorrhea, sometimes called GC or clap?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . .
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 17 17
2 No 3507 3524
7 Refused 2 3526
9 Don't know 3 3529
. Missing 1773 5302

SXQ272 - Doctor ever told you had chlamydia

Variable Name:
SXQ272
SAS Label:
Doctor ever told you had chlamydia
English Text:
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had chlamydia?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . .
Target:
Both males and females 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 36 36
2 No 3489 3525
7 Refused 0 3525
9 Don't know 4 3529
. Missing 1773 5302

SXQ280 - Are you circumcised or uncircumcised

Variable Name:
SXQ280
SAS Label:
Are you circumcised or uncircumcised
English Text:
Are you circumcised or uncircumcised?
English Instructions:
INSTRUCTIONS TO SP: Please select . . . CAPI INSTRUCTIONS: Display the sketches below each selection. Sketch should display by default. ACASI FIGURE SXQ1 - CLINICAL SKETCH OF CIRCUMCISED PENIS ACASI FIGURE SXQ2 - CLINICAL SKETCH OF UNCIRCUMCISED PENIS
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Circumcised 1336 1336
2 Uncircumcised 523 1859
7 Refused 7 1866
9 Don't know 5 1871
. Missing 3431 5302

SXQ292 - Describe sexual orientation (male)

Variable Name:
SXQ292
SAS Label:
Describe sexual orientation (male)
English Text:
Do you think of yourself as...
Target:
Males only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Heterosexual or straight (attracted to women) 1769 1769
2 Homosexual or gay (attracted to men) 23 1792
3 Bisexual (attracted to men and women) 32 1824
4 Something else 10 1834
5 Not sure 22 1856
7 Refused 7 1863
9 Don't know 8 1871
. Missing 3431 5302

SXQ756 - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ756
English Instructions:
BOX 11 CHECK ITEM SXQ.756: IF SP 18-59 YEARS, GO TO SXQ.294. OTHERWISE, GO TO END OF SECTION.
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 69 YEARS

SXQ294 - Describe sexual orientation (female)

Variable Name:
SXQ294
SAS Label:
Describe sexual orientation (female)
English Text:
Do you think of yourself as...
Target:
Females only 18 YEARS - 59 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Heterosexual or straight (attracted to men) 1686 1686
2 Homosexual or lesbian (attracted to women) 28 1714
3 Bisexual (attracted to men and women) 83 1797
4 Something else 11 1808
5 Not sure 35 1843
7 Refused 10 1853
9 Don't know 12 1865
. Missing 3437 5302

Appendix 1. Sexual Behavior (SXQ) Data for Males in NHANES 2003-2010 Release Files


2003-2004
Variable name/Question		 2005-2006
Variable name/Question		 2007-2008†
Variable name/Question		 2009-2010
Variable name/Question
Target age 14-59 years 14-59 years 14-69 years 14-69 years
Ever had any type of sex SXQ020
The next set of questions is about your sexual behavior. By sex, we mean vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Please remember that your answers are strictly confidential.
Have you ever had sex?		 SXQ021
The next set of questions is about your sexual behavior. By sex, we mean vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Please remember that your answers are strictly confidential.
Have you ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex? 		SXQ021
The next set of questions is about your sexual behavior. By sex, we mean vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Please remember that your answers are strictly confidential.
Have you ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex? 		SXD021
Ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Derived from:
SXQ800
SXQ803
SXQ806
SXQ809
SXQ615¥
Not included Not included Not included SXQ800
Have you ever had vaginal sex, also called sexual intercourse, with a woman? This means your penis in a woman’s vagina.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ803
Have you ever performed oral sex on a woman? This means putting your mouth on a woman’s vagina or genitals.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ806
Have you ever had anal sex with a woman? Anal sex means contact between your penis and a woman’s anus or butt.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ809
Have you ever had any kind of sex with a man, including oral or anal?
Age of having sex for the first time SXD030
How old were you when you had sex for the first time?		 SXD031
When you first had vaginal, anal, or oral sex, how old were you?		 SXD031
When you first had vaginal, anal, or oral sex, how old were you?		 SXD031€
How old were you the first time you had any kind of sex, including {vaginal, anal, or oral / vaginal or anal / vaginal or oral / anal or oral / vaginal / anal / oral}?
Life time female sex partner(s) SXQ170
In your lifetime, with how many women have you had sex?		 SXD171
In your lifetime, with how many females have you had vaginal, anal, or oral sex?		 SXD171
In your lifetime, with how many females have you had vaginal, anal, or oral sex?		 SXD171
In your lifetime, with how many women have you had any kind of sex?
Not included SXQ400
With how many of these females have you had only oral sex?		 SXQ400*
With how many of these females have you had only oral sex?		 Not included
Not included Not included Not included SXQ824*
In your lifetime, with how many women have you had vaginal sex? Vaginal sex means your penis in a woman’s vagina.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ636*
In your lifetime, on how many women have you performed oral sex?
Female sex partner(s) in the last 12 months SXQ190
In the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex?		 SXQ510
In the past 12 months, with how many females have you had vaginal, anal, or oral sex?		 SXQ510*
In the past 12 months, with how many females have you had vaginal, anal, or oral sex?		 SXD510*
In the past 12 months, with how many women have you had any kind of sex?
Not included SXQ530
With how many of these females have you had only oral sex?		 SXQ530*
With how many of these females have you had only oral sex?		 Not included
Not included Not included Not included SXQ827*
In the past 12 months, with how many women have you had vaginal sex? Vaginal sex means your penis in a woman’s vagina.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ639*
In the past 12 months, on how many women have you performed oral sex?
Oral sex with female partner Not included Not included Not included SXQ633*
How old were you when you first performed oral sex on a woman? Performing oral sex means your mouth on a woman’s vagina or genitals.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ642*
How long has it been since the last time you performed oral sex on a new female partner? A new sexual partner is someone that you had never had sex with before.
Life time male sex partner(s) SXQ200
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had sex?		 SXQ410
In your lifetime, with how many males have you had anal or oral sex?		 SXQ410
In your lifetime, with how many males have you had anal or oral sex?		 SXQ410
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had anal or oral sex?
Not included SXQ430
With how many of these males have you had only oral sex?		 SXQ430
With how many of these males have you had only oral sex?		 Not included
Not included Not included Not included SXQ836
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had anal sex?
Not included Not included Not included SXQ624
In your lifetime, on how many men have you performed oral sex?
Male sex partner(s) in the last 12 months SXQ220
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had sex?		 SXQ550
In the past 12 months, with how many males have you had anal or oral sex?		 SXQ550*
In the past 12 months, with how many males have you had anal or oral sex?		 SXQ550*
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had anal or oral sex?
Not included SXQ570
With how many of these males have you had only oral sex?		 SXQ570*
With how many of these males have you had only oral sex?		 Not included
Not included Not included Not included SXQ841*
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had anal sex?
Not included Not included Not included SXQ627*
In the past 12 months, on how many men have you performed oral sex?
Oral sex with male partner Not included Not included Not included SXQ853
Have you ever performed oral sex on a man? Performing oral sex means your mouth on a man’s penis or genitals.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ621
How old were you when you first performed oral sex on a man? Performing oral sex means your mouth on a man’s penis or genitals.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ630*
How long has it been since the last time you performed oral sex on a new male partner? A new sexual partner is someone that you had never had sex with before.
Sex in the past 12 months SXQ241
In the past 30 days, with how many people have you had sex?		 SXQ610
In the past 12 months, about how many times have you had vaginal or anal sex?		 SXQ610*
In the past 12 months, about how many times have you had vaginal or anal sex?		 SXQ610€*
In the past 12 months, about how many times have you had {vaginal or anal/vaginal/anal} sex?
Not included SXQ590
Of the persons you had sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years older than you?		 SXQ590*
Of the persons you had sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years older than you?		 SXQ590£
Of the persons you had any kind of sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years older than you?
Not included SXQ600
Of the persons you had sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years younger than you?		 SXQ600*
Of the persons you had sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years younger than you?		 SXQ600£
Of the persons you had any kind of sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years younger than you?
Not included Not included Not included SXQ648*
In the past 12 months, did you have any kind of sex with a person that you never had sex with before?
SXQ250
In the past 30 days, how many times have you had sex without using a condom?		 SXQ251
In the past 12 months, about how often have you had vaginal or anal sex without using a condom?		 SXQ251*
In the past 12 months, about how often have you had vaginal or anal sex without using a condom?		 SXQ251€*
In the past 12 months, about how often have you had {vaginal or anal/vaginal/anal} sex without using a condom?
Not included Not included Not included SXQ645*
When you performed oral sex in the past 12 months, how often would you use protection, like a condom or dental dam?
History of sexually transmitted diseases SXQ260
Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you had genital herpes?		 SXQ260
Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you had genital herpes?		 SXQ260*
Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you had genital herpes?		 SXQ260*Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you had genital herpes?
SXQ265
Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?		 SXQ265
Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?		 SXQ265*
Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?		 SXQ265*
Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?
SXQ270
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had gonorrhea, sometimes called GC or clap?		 SXQ270
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had gonorrhea, sometimes called GC or clap?		 SXQ270*
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had gonorrhea, sometimes called GC or clap?		 SXQ270*
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had gonorrhea, sometimes called GC or clap?
SXQ272
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had Chlamydia?		 SXQ272
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had Chlamydia?		 SXQ272*
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had Chlamydia?		 SXQ272*
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had Chlamydia?
Circumcision status SXQ280
Are you circumcised or uncircumcised?		 SXQ280
Are you circumcised or uncircumcised?		 SXQ280*
Are you circumcised or uncircumcised?		 SXQ280*
Are you circumcised or uncircumcised?
Sexual orientation SXQ292#
Do you think of yourself as…		 SXQ292#
Do you think of yourself as…		 SXQ292#
Do you think of yourself as…		 SXQ292#
Do you think of yourself as…
Interview status Not included SXAISC
Interview status code		 SXAISC
Interview status code		 Not included

 

† Questions were changed during data collection: “vaginal, anal, and oral” qualifiers were removed. See documentation accompanied 07-08 data file (available at: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/2007-2008/SXQ_E.htm) for more details.
¥ Target age: 14-17 year olds.
* Target age: 14-59 year olds.
£ Target age changed from 14-59 to 14-29 in 2009-2010.
€ Question was edited to include "fills". For example, depending on what types of sex respondents indicated having determines the fills in the question.
# Target age: 18-59 year olds.


Appendix 2. Sexual Behavior (SXQ) Data for Females in NHANES 2003-2010 Release Files

2003-2004
Variable name/Question		 2005-2006
Variable name/Question		 2007-2008†
Variable name/Question		 2009-2010
Variable name/Question
Target age 14-59 years 14-59 years 14-69 years 14-69 years
Ever had any type of sex SXQ020
The next set of questions is about your sexual behavior. By sex, we mean vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Please remember that your answers are strictly confidential.
Have you ever had sex?		 SXQ021
The next set of questions is about your sexual behavior. By sex, we mean vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Please remember that your answers are strictly confidential.
Have you ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex? 		SXQ021
The next set of questions is about your sexual behavior. By sex, we mean vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Please remember that your answers are strictly confidential.
Have you ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex? 		SXD021
Ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Derived from:
SXQ700
SXQ703
SXQ706
SXQ709
SXQ615¥
Not included Not included Not included SXQ700
Have you ever had vaginal sex, also called sexual intercourse, with a man? This means a man’s penis in your vagina.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ703
Have you ever performed oral sex on a man? This means putting your mouth on a man’s penis or genitals.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ706
Have you ever had anal sex? This means contact between a man’s penis and your anus or butt.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ709
Have you ever had any kind of sex with a woman? By sex, we mean sexual contact with another woman’s vagina or genitals.
Age of having sex for the first time SXD030
How old were you when you had sex for the first time?		 SXD031
When you first had vaginal, anal, or oral sex, how old were you?		 SXD031
When you first had vaginal, anal, or oral sex, how old were you?		 SXD031€
How old were you the first time you had any kind of sex, including {vaginal, anal, or oral / vaginal or anal / vaginal or oral / anal or oral / vaginal / anal / oral}?
Life time male sex partner(s) SXQ100
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had sex?		 SXQ101
In your lifetime, with how many males have you had vaginal, anal, or oral sex?		 SXQ101
In your lifetime, with how many males have you had vaginal, anal, or oral sex?		 SXD101
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had any kind of sex?
Not included SXQ350
With how many of these males have you had only oral sex?		 SXQ350*
With how many of these males have you had only oral sex?		 Not included
Not included Not included Not included SXQ724*
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had vaginal sex? Vaginal sex means a man’s penis in your vagina.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ624*
In your lifetime, on how many men have you performed oral sex?
Male sex partner(s) in the last 12 months SXQ120
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had sex?		 SXQ450
In the past 12 months, with how many males have you had vaginal, anal, or oral sex?		 SXQ450*
In the past 12 months, with how many males have you had vaginal, anal, or oral sex?		 SXD450*
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had any kind of sex?
Not included SXQ470
With how many of these males have you had only oral sex?		 SXQ470*
With how many of these males have you had only oral sex?		 Not included
Not included Not included Not included SXQ727*
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had vaginal sex? Vaginal sex means a man’s penis in your vagina.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ627*
In the past 12 months, on how many men have you performed oral sex?
Oral sex with male partner Not included Not included Not included SXQ621*
How old were you when you first performed oral sex on a man? Performing oral sex means your mouth on a man’s penis or genitals.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ630*
How long has it been since the last time you performed oral sex on a new male partner? A new sexual partner is someone that you had never had sex with before.
Life time female sex partner(s) SXQ130
In your lifetime, with how many women have you had sex?		 SXQ130
In your lifetime, with how many women have you had sex?		 In your lifetime, with how many women have you had sex? SXQ130*
In your lifetime with how many women have you had sex? By sex, we mean sexual contact with another woman’s vagina or genitals.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ636*
In your lifetime, on how many women have you performed oral sex?
Female sex partner(s) in the last 12 months SXQ150
In the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex?		 SXQ490
In the past 12 months, with how many females have you had sex?		 SXQ490*
In the past 12 months, with how many females have you had sex?		 SXQ490*
In the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex? By sex, we mean sexual contact with another woman’s vagina or genitals.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ639*
In the past 12 months, on how many women have you performed oral sex?
Oral sex with female partner Not included Not included Not included SXQ741*
Have you ever performed oral sex on a woman? Performing oral sex means your mouth on a woman’s vagina or genitals.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ633*
How old were you when you first performed oral sex on a woman? Performing oral sex means your mouth on a woman’s vagina or genitals.
Not included Not included Not included SXQ642*
How long has it been since the last time you performed oral sex on a new female partner? A new sexual partner is someone that you had never had sex with before.
Sex in the past 12 months SXQ241
In the past 30 days, with how many people have you had sex?		 SXQ610
In the past 12 months, about how many times have you had vaginal or anal sex?		 SXQ610*
In the past 12 months, about how many times have you had vaginal or anal sex?		 SXQ610€*
In the past 12 months, about how many times have you had {vaginal or anal/vaginal/anal} sex?
Not included SXQ590
Of the persons you had sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years older than you?		 SXQ590*
Of the persons you had sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years older than you?		 SXQ590£
Of the persons you had any kind of sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years older than you?
Not included SXQ600
Of the persons you had sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years younger than you?		 SXQ600*
Of the persons you had sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years younger than you?		 SXQ600£
Of the persons you had any kind of sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years younger than you?
Not included Not included Not included SXQ648*
In the past 12 months, did you have any kind of sex with a person that you never had sex with before?
SXQ250
In the past 30 days, how many times have you had sex without using a condom?		 SXQ251
In the past 12 months, about how often have you had vaginal or anal sex without using a condom?		 SXQ251*
In the past 12 months, about how often have you had vaginal or anal sex without using a condom?		 SXQ251€*
In the past 12 months, about how often have you had {vaginal or anal/vaginal/anal} sex without using a condom?
Not included Not included Not included SXQ645*
When you performed oral sex in the past 12 months, how often would you use protection, like a condom or dental dam?
History of sexually transmitted diseases SXQ260
Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you had genital herpes?		 SXQ260
Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you had genital herpes?		 SXQ260*
Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you had genital herpes?		 SXQ260*
Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you had genital herpes?
SXQ265
Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?		 SXQ265
Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?		 SXQ265*
Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?		 SXQ265*
Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?
Not included Not included Not included SXQ753*
Has a doctor or other health care professional ever told you that you had human papillomavirus or HPV?
SXQ270
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had gonorrhea, sometimes called GC or clap?		 SXQ270
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had gonorrhea, sometimes called GC or clap?		 SXQ270*
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had gonorrhea, sometimes called GC or clap?		 SXQ270*
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had gonorrhea, sometimes called GC or clap?
SXQ272
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had Chlamydia?		 SXQ272
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had Chlamydia?		 SXQ272*
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had Chlamydia?		 SXQ272*
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had Chlamydia?
Sexual orientation SXQ294#
Do you think of yourself as…		 SXQ294#
Do you think of yourself as…		 SXQ294#
Do you think of yourself as…		 SXQ294#
Do you think of yourself as…
Interview status Not included SXAISC
Interview status code		 SXAISC
Interview status code		 Not included

 

† Questions were changed during data collection: “vaginal, anal, and oral” qualifiers were removed. See documentation accompanied 07-08 data file (available at: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/2007-2008/SXQ_E.htm) for more details.
¥ Target age: 14-17 year olds.
* Target age: 14-59 year olds.
£ Target age changed from 14-59 to 14-29 in 2009-2010.
€ Question was edited to include "fills". For example, depending on what types of sex respondents indicated having determines the fills in the question.
# Target age: 18-59 year olds.