Table of Contents

Component Description

The NHANES program suspended field operations in March 2020 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As a result, data collection for the NHANES 2019-2020 cycle was not completed and the collected data are not nationally representative. Therefore, data collected from 2019 to March 2020 were combined with data from the NHANES 2017-2018 cycle to form a nationally representative sample of NHANES 2017-March 2020 pre-pandemic data. Please refer to the Analytic Notes section for more details on the use of the data.

The Mobile Examination Center (MEC) Interview section on youth sexual behavior (variable name prefix SXQ) provides information on lifetime and current sexual behavior for both males and females. Items covered in this section included: age of first sexual encounter, number of sexual partners, circumcision status (male), and history of certain sexually transmitted diseases.

Eligible Sample

Survey participants aged 14-69 years in the NHANES 2017-March 2020 pre-pandemic sample were eligible. Several questions in this section are age-specific, and many are gender-specific. Mentally impaired participants or participants who were unable to understand English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, or Chinese (traditional/Mandarin, simplified/Mandarin, and traditional/Cantonese) were not asked these questions. Only data from participants aged 14-17 years old are included in this file. Data from participants 18-69 years are available in a separate dataset: Sexual Behavior - Adult (P_SXQ _R). Both datasets are accessed through the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC).

Interview Setting and Mode of Administration

The sexual behavior questions were self-administered in a private room at the MEC, during the MEC Interview, using the Audio Computer-Assisted Self Interview (ACASI) system. The ACASI was conducted in one of the following languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, or Chinese (traditional/Mandarin, simplified/Mandarin, and traditional/Cantonese). The ACASI enables respondents to hear questions through headphones as well as read questions on the computer screen. Respondents move at their own speed and touch the screen to indicate their responses. No proxy respondents or translators were used in situations when the respondents could not self-report.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

Both ACASI and CAPI systems are programmed with built-in consistency checks to reduce data entry errors. The systems also use online help screens to assist respondents and interviewers in defining key terms used in the questionnaire. All data were reviewed by the NHANES staff for accuracy and completeness. For details on the QA/QC process for this component, please refer to the MEC Interviewer Procedures Manual on the NHANES website.

Data Processing and Editing

Participants aged 14 to 17 years were first asked question SXQ615 on whether they had ever had any kind of sex. The released variable SXD021 (Ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex) was derived from SXQ615 and whether the respondent had reported having any of the specific types of sex. For example, if a male answered “yes” to SXQ615, but did not report an affirmative response to 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); the response was coded as a “2” or “no” in SXD021.

In previous cycles, SXD031 (Age first had any kind of sex) was derived from SXQ618 (Age first had any kind of sex), SXD021 (Ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex), SXD633 (Age first performed oral sex on woman) for males, and SXD621 (Age first performed oral sex on man) for females. However, in 2019-2020, SXD633 and SXD621 were no longer collected. While SXD031 is labeled as “Age first had any kind of sex,” this variable differs from the variable SXD031 released in previous cycles since it does not include participants who only had oral sex.

Edits were also made, when necessary, to address data disclosure concerns. For participants aged 14 to 17 years, responses to age related questions in this section that were 9 years or less were grouped and coded as “9 years or younger.” This includes variables SXD031 (age first had any kind of sex), and SXQ267 (age first told you had genital warts).

In general, if a respondent was not 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 their analyses.

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

The COVID-19 pandemic required suspension of NHANES 2019-2020 field operations in March 2020 after data were collected in 18 of the 30 survey locations in the 2019-2020 sample. Because the collected data from 18 locations were not nationally representative, these data were combined with data from the previous cycle (2017-2018) to create a 2017-March 2020 pre-pandemic data file. The examination sample weights in the demographic file should be used to calculate estimates from the combined cycles. These sample weights are not appropriate for independent analyses of the 2019-2020 data and will not yield nationally representative results for either the 2017-2018 data alone or the 2019-March 2020 data alone. Please refer to the NHANES website for additional information for the NHANES 2017-March 2020 pre-pandemic data, and for the previous 2017-2018 public use data file with specific weights for that 2-year cycle.

Analysts should be cautious when combining these data with other cycles since some questions found in previous cycles have been removed, and other questions may have had slight wording changes. Please see the Analytic Notes below as well as Appendix 1 (for males) and Appendix 2 (for females) for detailed information on variables included in the SXQ section since the 2003-2004 cycle.

In the ACASI system, if participants did not answer the question and instead pressed “next” to move forward, they get a screen asking them to indicate: “I really meant to answer,” “I’d rather not answer,” or “I don’t know the answer.” If they chose “I really meant to answer,” they were taken back to the question so they could respond. If they selected “I’d rather not answer,” their response was coded as “refuse.” The selection of “I don’t know the answer” was coded as “don’t know.”

While the ACASI has many advantages over interviewer-administered questionnaires for sensitive information, inconsistent responses can occur. Since the questions were self-administered, unlikely answers or confusing questions generally were not 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 and/or for different types of sexual behavior.

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 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXD021 - Ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex (B)

Variable Name:
SXD021
SAS Label:
Ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex (B)
English Text:
Ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
English Instructions:
DERIVED FROM SXQ615, SXQ800, SXQ803, SXQ806, SXQ809 FOR MALES, AND SXQ615, SXQ700, SXQ703, SXQ706, SXQ709 FOR FEMALES.
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 246 246
2 No 669 915
7 Refused 2 917
9 Don't know 0 917
. Missing 46 963

SXD003B - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD003B
English Instructions:
CHECK ITEM SXD003B: IF FEMALE AND SXD021=1, GO TO SXQ700. IF MALE AND SXD021=1, CONTINUE TO SXQ800. OTHERWISE, FEMALE GO TO SXD101 AND MALE GO TO SXD171.
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXQ800 - Ever had vaginal sex with a woman (M)

Variable Name:
SXQ800
SAS Label:
Ever had vaginal sex with a woman (M)
English Text:
Have you ever had vaginal sex, also called sexual intercourse, with a woman? This means your penis in a woman's vagina.
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 131 131
2 No 20 151
7 Refused 0 151
9 Don't know 0 151
. Missing 812 963

SXQ803 - Ever performed oral sex on a woman (M)

Variable Name:
SXQ803
SAS Label:
Ever performed oral sex on a woman (M)
English Text:
Have you ever performed oral sex on a woman? This means putting your mouth on a woman's vagina or genitals.
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 84 84
2 No 67 151
7 Refused 0 151
9 Don't know 0 151
. Missing 812 963

SXQ806 - Ever had anal sex with a woman (M)

Variable Name:
SXQ806
SAS Label:
Ever had anal sex with a woman (M)
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.
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 18 18
2 No 133 151
7 Refused 0 151
9 Don't know 0 151
. Missing 812 963

SXQ809 - Ever had any kind of sex w/man (M)

Variable Name:
SXQ809
SAS Label:
Ever had any kind of sex w/man (M)
English Text:
Have you ever had any kind of sex with a man, including oral or anal?
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 7 7
2 No 144 151
7 Refused 0 151
9 Don't know 0 151
. Missing 812 963

SXD862M - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD862M
English Instructions:
BOX 1A CHECK ITEM SXD862M: IF (SXQ800, SXQ803, SXQ806, AND SXQ809) ALL EQUAL TO (‘2’ OR ‘.’), GO TO SXD171. IF (SXQ803 = 1 AND SXQ800 = 2, AND SXQ806 = 2, AND SXQ809 = 2), GO TO SXD171. OTHERWISE, GO TO SXD031.
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXQ700 - Ever had vaginal sex with a man (F)

Variable Name:
SXQ700
SAS Label:
Ever had vaginal sex with a man (F)
English Text:
Have you ever had vaginal sex, also called sexual intercourse, with a man? This means a man's penis in your vagina.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 87 87
2 No 20 107
7 Refused 0 107
9 Don't know 0 107
. Missing 856 963

SXQ703 - Ever performed oral sex on a man (F)

Variable Name:
SXQ703
SAS Label:
Ever performed oral sex on a man (F)
English Text:
Have you ever performed oral sex on a man? This means putting your mouth on a man's penis or genitals.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 80 80
2 No 27 107
7 Refused 0 107
9 Don't know 0 107
. Missing 856 963

SXQ706 - Ever had anal sex with a man (F)

Variable Name:
SXQ706
SAS Label:
Ever had anal sex with a man (F)
English Text:
Have you ever had anal sex? This means contact between a man's penis and your anus or butt.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 16 16
2 No 91 107
7 Refused 0 107
9 Don't know 0 107
. Missing 856 963

SXQ709 - Ever had any kind of sex w/woman (F)

Variable Name:
SXQ709
SAS Label:
Ever had any kind of sex w/woman (F)
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.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 14 14
2 No 93 107
7 Refused 0 107
9 Don't know 0 107
. Missing 856 963

SXD762F - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD762F
English Instructions:
BOX 1A CHECK ITEM SXD762F: IF (SXQ700, SXQ703, SXQ706, AND SXQ709) ALL EQUAL TO (‘2’ OR ‘.’), GO TO SXD101. IF (SXQ703 = 1 AND SXQ700 = 2, AND SXQ706 = 2, AND SXQ709 = 2, AND SXQ741 = 1), GO TO SXQ636. IF (SXQ703 = 1 AND SXQ700 = 2, AND SXQ706 = 2, AND SXQ709 = 2, AND SXQ741 ? 1), GO TO SXQ624. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE TO SXD031.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXD031 - Age first had any kind of sex (B)

Variable Name:
SXD031
SAS Label:
Age first had any kind of sex (B)
English Text:
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}?
English Instructions:
AGE IN YEARS.
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
10 to 17 Range of Values 231 231
9 9 years or younger 3 234
77 Refused 0 234
99 Don't know 0 234
. Missing 729 963

SXD701F - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD701F
English Instructions:
BOX 1 CHECK ITEM SXD701F: IF SXQ741 = 1, GO TO SXQ636. IF (SXQ741 ? 1 AND SXQ703 = 1), GO TO SXQ624. OTHERWISE, GO TO SXD744F.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXD171 - # female sex partners/lifetime (M)

Variable Name:
SXD171
SAS Label:
# female sex partners/lifetime (M)
English Text:
In your lifetime, with how many women have you had any kind of sex?
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 28 Range of Values 468 468
77777 Refused 0 468
99999 Don't know 0 468
. Missing 495 963

SXD510 - # female sex partners/year (M)

Variable Name:
SXD510
SAS Label:
# female sex partners/year (M)
English Text:
In the past 12 months, with how many women have you had any kind of sex?
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 19 Range of Values 468 468
77777 Refused 0 468
99999 Don't know 0 468
. Missing 495 963

SXD821M - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD821M
English Instructions:
BOX 3 CHECK ITEM SXD821M: IF (SXQ800, SXQ803, SXQ806, AND SXQ809) NOT EQUAL TO '1', GO TO END OF SECTION. IF SXQ800 = 1, CONTINUE TO SXQ824. OTHERWISE, GO TO SXD830M.
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXQ824 - #female vaginal sex partners/lifetime(M)

Variable Name:
SXQ824
SAS Label:
#female vaginal sex partners/lifetime(M)
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 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 26 Range of Values 131 131
77777 Refused 0 131
99999 Don't know 0 131
. Missing 832 963

SXQ827 - # female vaginal sex partners/year (M)

Variable Name:
SXQ827
SAS Label:
# female vaginal sex partners/year (M)
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.
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 10 Range of Values 131 131
77777 Refused 0 131
99999 Don't know 0 131
. Missing 832 963

SXD830M - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD830M
English Instructions:
BOX 4 CHECK ITEM SXD830M: IF SXQ803 = 1, CONTINUE TO SXQ636. OTHERWISE, GO TO SXD833M.
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXQ636 - # female oral sex partners/lifetime (B)

Variable Name:
SXQ636
SAS Label:
# female oral sex partners/lifetime (B)
English Text:
In your lifetime, on how many women have you performed oral sex?
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 28 Range of Values 95 95
77777 Refused 0 95
99999 Don't know 1 96
. Missing 867 963

SXQ639 - # female oral sex partners/year (B)

Variable Name:
SXQ639
SAS Label:
# female oral sex partners/year (B)
English Text:
In the past 12 months, on how many women have you performed oral sex?
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 19 Range of Values 96 96
77777 Refused 0 96
99999 Don't know 0 96
. Missing 867 963

SXD768F - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD768F
English Instructions:
BOX 6B CHECK ITEM SXD768F: IF SXQ703 = 1, THEN GO TO SXQ624. IF OTHERWISE, GO TO SXD744F.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXD833M - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD833M
English Instructions:
BOX 5 CHECK ITEM SXD833M: IF SXQ809 = 1, CONTINUE TO SXQ410. OTHERWISE, GO TO SXD844M.
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXD730F - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD730F
English Instructions:
BOX 4 CHECK ITEM SXD730F: IF SXQ703 = 1, GO TO SXQ624. OTHERWISE, GO TO SXD744F.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXQ410 - # male sex partners/lifetime(M)

Variable Name:
SXQ410
SAS Label:
# male sex partners/lifetime(M)
English Text:
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had anal or oral sex?
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 7 Range of Values 7 7
77777 Refused 0 7
99999 Don't know 0 7
. Missing 956 963

SXQ550 - # male sex partners/year (M)

Variable Name:
SXQ550
SAS Label:
# male sex partners/year (M)
English Text:
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had anal or oral sex?
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 3 Range of Values 7 7
77777 Refused 0 7
99999 Don't know 0 7
. Missing 956 963

SXQ836 - # male anal sex partners/lifetime (M)

Variable Name:
SXQ836
SAS Label:
# male anal sex partners/lifetime (M)
English Text:
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had anal sex?
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 7 Range of Values 7 7
77777 Refused 0 7
99999 Don't know 0 7
. Missing 956 963

SXQ839M - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXQ839M
English Instructions:
BOX 6 CHECK ITEM SXQ839M: IF SP HAD NO ANAL SEX PARTNERS (CODED '0000' IN SXQ836), GO TO SXQ853. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE TO SXQ841.
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXQ841 - # male anal sex partners/year (M)

Variable Name:
SXQ841
SAS Label:
# male anal sex partners/year (M)
English Text:
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had anal sex?
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 3 Range of Values 6 6
77777 Refused 0 6
99999 Don't know 0 6
. Missing 957 963

SXQ853 - Ever performed oral sex on a man (M)

Variable Name:
SXQ853
SAS Label:
Ever performed oral sex on a man (M)
English Text:
Have you ever performed oral sex on a man? Performing oral sex means your mouth on a man's penis or genitals.
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 7 7
2 No 0 7
7 Refused 0 7
9 Don't know 0 7
. Missing 956 963

SXD847M - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD847M
English Instructions:
BOX 7 CHECK ITEM SXD847M: IF SP NEVER HAD ORAL MALE PARTNER (CODED '2', '7', OR '9') IN SXQ853, GO TO SXD844M. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE TO SXQ624.
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXQ624 - # male oral sex partners/lifetime (B)

Variable Name:
SXQ624
SAS Label:
# male oral sex partners/lifetime (B)
English Text:
In your lifetime, on how many men have you performed oral sex?
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 7 Range of Values 86 86
77777 Refused 1 87
99999 Don't know 0 87
. Missing 876 963

SXQ627 - # male oral sex partners/year (B)

Variable Name:
SXQ627
SAS Label:
# male oral sex partners/year (B)
English Text:
In the past 12 months, on how many men have you performed oral sex?
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 4 Range of Values 87 87
77777 Refused 0 87
99999 Don't know 0 87
. Missing 876 963

SXD844M - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD844M
English Instructions:
BOX 9A CHECK ITEM SXD844M: IF SP DID NOT HAVE A PARTNER IN PAST 12 MONTHS (SXD510, SXQ827, SXQ639, SXQ550, SXQ841, AND SXQ627 CODED '0000' OR MISSING OR '77777' OR '99999'), GO TO SXQ260. IF SP HAD ORAL SEX PARTNER IN PAST 12 MONTHS (SXQ627 OR SXQ639 GREATER THAN '0000' BUT LESS THAN '77777'), CONTINUE TO SXQ645. OTHERWISE, GO TO SXQ648.
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXD744F - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD744F
English Instructions:
BOX 7A CHECK ITEM SXD744F: IF SP DID NOT HAVE A PARTNER IN PAST 12 MONTHS (SXD450, SXQ727, SXQ627, SXQ639, AND SXQ490 CODED '0000' OR MISSING OR '77777' OR '99999'), GO TO SXD101. IF SP HAD ORAL SEX PARTNER IN PAST 12 MONTHS (SXQ627 OR SXQ639 GREATER THAN '0000' BUT LESS THAN '77777'), THEN CONTINUE TO SXQ645. OTHERWISE, GO TO SXQ648.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXQ645 - Use protection when perform oral sex (B)

Variable Name:
SXQ645
SAS Label:
Use protection when perform oral sex (B)
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:
THE ITEM INCLUDES SEX WITH BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PARTNERS.
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Never 81 81
2 Rarely 14 95
3 Usually 15 110
4 Always 33 143
5 Unsure 1 144
7 Refused 0 144
9 Don't know 0 144
. Missing 819 963

SXQ648 - Had sex with a new partner past 12mos(B)

Variable Name:
SXQ648
SAS Label:
Had sex with a new partner past 12mos(B)
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:
THE ITEM INCLUDES SEX WITH BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PARTNERS.
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 121 121
2 No 94 215
7 Refused 0 215
9 Don't know 0 215
. Missing 748 963

SXD859M - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD859M
English Instructions:
BOX 10A CHECK ITEM SXD859M: IF (SXQ800, SXQ806, AND SXQ809) NOT EQUAL TO '1', GO TO SXD004B. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE TO SXQ610.
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXD759F - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD759F
English Instructions:
BOX 8A CHECK ITEM SXD759F: IF (SXQ700 OR SXQ706) = 1, CONTINUE TO SXQ610. OTHERWISE, GO TO SXD004B.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXQ610 - Had vaginal/anal sex in past 12 mos (B)

Variable Name:
SXQ610
SAS Label:
Had vaginal/anal sex in past 12 mos (B)
English Text:
In the past 12 months, about how many times have you had {vaginal or anal/vaginal/anal} sex?
English Instructions:
THE ITEM INCLUDES SEX WITH BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PARTNERS.
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 Never 8 8
1 Once 35 43
2 2-11 times 93 136
3 12-51 times 35 171
4 52-103 times 14 185
5 104-364 times 7 192
6 365 times or more 1 193
77 Refused 2 195
99 Don't know 0 195
. Missing 768 963

SXD245M - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD245M
English Instructions:
BOX 10 CHECK ITEM SXD245M: IF SP DID NOT HAVE VAGINAL OR ANAL SEX (CODED '0') IN SXQ610, GO TO SXD004B. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE TO SXQ251.
Target:
Males only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXD246F - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD246F
English Instructions:
BOX 8 CHECK ITEM SXD246F: IF SP DID NOT HAVE VAGINAL OR ANAL SEX (CODED '0') IN SXQ610, GO TO SXD004B. OTHERWISE, CONTINUE TO SXQ251.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXQ251 - Had vaginal/anal sex without condom (B)

Variable Name:
SXQ251
SAS Label:
Had vaginal/anal sex without condom (B)
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:
THE ITEM INCLUDES SEX WITH BOTH MALE AND FEMALE PARTNERS.
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Never 77 77
2 Less than half of the time 37 114
3 About half of the time 18 132
4 Not always, but more than half of the time 22 154
5 Always 32 186
7 Refused 0 186
9 Don't know 1 187
. Missing 776 963

SXD004B - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD004B
English Instructions:
CHECK ITEM SXD004B: IF MALE, GO TO SXQ260. IF FEMALE, CONTINUE TO SXD101.
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXD101 - # male sex partners/lifetime (F)

Variable Name:
SXD101
SAS Label:
# male sex partners/lifetime (F)
English Text:
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had any kind of sex?
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 10 Range of Values 449 449
77777 Refused 0 449
99999 Don't know 0 449
. Missing 514 963

SXD450 - # male sex partners/year (F)

Variable Name:
SXD450
SAS Label:
# male sex partners/year (F)
English Text:
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had any kind of sex?
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 10 Range of Values 449 449
77777 Refused 0 449
99999 Don't know 0 449
. Missing 514 963

SXD721F - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD721F
English Instructions:
BOX 3 CHECK ITEM SXD721F: IF (SXQ700, SXQ703, SXQ706, AND SXQ709) NOT EQUAL TO '1', GO TO END OF SECTION. IF SXQ700 = 1, CONTINUE TO SXQ724. OTHERWISE, GO TO SXD733F.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXQ724 - # male vaginal sex partners/lifetime (F)

Variable Name:
SXQ724
SAS Label:
# male vaginal sex partners/lifetime (F)
English Text:
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had vaginal sex? Vaginal sex means a man's penis in your vagina.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 10 Range of Values 87 87
77777 Refused 0 87
99999 Don't know 0 87
. Missing 876 963

SXQ727 - # male vaginal sex partners/year (F)

Variable Name:
SXQ727
SAS Label:
# male vaginal sex partners/year (F)
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.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 10 Range of Values 87 87
77777 Refused 0 87
99999 Don't know 0 87
. Missing 876 963

SXD733F - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD733F
English Instructions:
BOX 6 CHECK ITEM SXD733F: IF SXQ709 = 1, CONTINUE TO SXQ130. OTHERWISE, GO TO SXQ753.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXQ130 - # female sex partners/lifetime (F)

Variable Name:
SXQ130
SAS Label:
# female sex partners/lifetime (F)
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.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 to 8 Range of Values 14 14
77777 Refused 0 14
99999 Don't know 0 14
. Missing 949 963

SXQ490 - # female sex partners/year (F)

Variable Name:
SXQ490
SAS Label:
# female sex partners/year (F)
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.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
0 to 4 Range of Values 14 14
77777 Refused 0 14
99999 Don't know 0 14
. Missing 949 963

SXQ741 - Ever performed oral sex on a woman (F)

Variable Name:
SXQ741
SAS Label:
Ever performed oral sex on a woman (F)
English Text:
Have you ever performed oral sex on a woman? Performing oral sex means your mouth on a woman's vagina or genitals.
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 12 12
2 No 2 14
7 Refused 0 14
9 Don't know 0 14
. Missing 949 963

SXQ753 - Ever told that you had HPV (F)

Variable Name:
SXQ753
SAS Label:
Ever told that you had HPV (F)
English Text:
Has a doctor or other health care professional ever told you that you had human papillomavirus or HPV?
Target:
Females only 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 0 0
2 No 104 104
7 Refused 0 104
9 Don't know 0 104
. Missing 859 963

SXQ260 - Ever told that you had genital herpes(B)

Variable Name:
SXQ260
SAS Label:
Ever told that you had genital herpes(B)
English Text:
Has a doctor or other health care professional ever told you that you had genital herpes?
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 1 1
2 No 245 246
7 Refused 0 246
9 Don't know 0 246
. Missing 717 963

SXQ265 - Ever told that you had genital warts (B)

Variable Name:
SXQ265
SAS Label:
Ever told that you had genital warts (B)
English Text:
Has a doctor or other health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Yes 0 0
2 No 246 246 SXD005B
7 Refused 0 246 SXD005B
9 Don't know 0 246 SXD005B
. Missing 717 963

SXQ267 - Age first told you had genital warts (B)

Variable Name:
SXQ267
SAS Label:
Age first told you had genital warts (B)
English Text:
How old were you when you were first told that you had genital warts?
English Instructions:
AGE IN YEARS.
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Hard Edits:
0 to 17
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
9 9 years or younger 0 0
77 Refused 0 0
99 Don't know 0 0
. Missing 963 963

SXD005B - CHECK ITEM

Variable Name:
SXD005B
English Instructions:
CHECK ITEM SXD005B: IF FEMALE, GO TO END OF SECTION. IF MALE, CONTINUE TO SXQ280.
Target:
Both males and females 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS

SXQ280 - Circumcised or uncircumcised? (M)

Variable Name:
SXQ280
SAS Label:
Circumcised or uncircumcised? (M)
English Text:
Are you circumcised or uncircumcised?
English Instructions:
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 14 YEARS - 17 YEARS
Code or Value Value Description Count Cumulative Skip to Item
1 Circumcised 345 345
2 Uncircumcised 113 458
7 Refused 1 459
9 Don't know 0 459
. Missing 504 963

Appendix 1. Sexual Behavior (SXQ) Data for Males in NHANES 2003-2020 Release Files

2003-2004
Variable name/Question		 2005-2006
Variable name/Question		 2007-2008a
Variable name/Question		 2009-2018
Variable name/Question		 2017-2020
Variable name/Question
Target age 14-59 years 14-59 years 14-69 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
SXQ615b		 SXD021
Ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Derived from:
SXQ800
SXQ803
SXQ806
SXQ809
SXQ615b
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.		 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.		 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.		 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?		 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?		 SXD031e
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}?		 SXD031e,i
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?		 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?		 SXQ400c
With how many of these females have you had only oral sex?		 Not included Not included
Not included Not included Not included SXQ824c
In your lifetime, with how many women have you had vaginal sex? Vaginal sex means your penis in a woman’s vagina.		 SXQ824c
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 SXQ636c
In your lifetime, on how many women have you performed oral sex?		 SXQ636c
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?		 SXQ510c
In the past 12 months, with how many females have you had vaginal, anal, or oral sex?		 SXD510c
In the past 12 months, with how many women have you had any kind of sex?		 SXD510c
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?		 SXQ530c
With how many of these females have you had only oral sex?		 Not included Not included
Not included Not included Not included SXQ827c
In the past 12 months, with how many women have you had vaginal sex? Vaginal sex means your penis in a woman’s vagina.		 SXQ827c
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 SXQ639c
In the past 12 months, on how many women have you performed oral sex?		 SXQ639c
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 SXD633c
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 Not included SXD642c
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.		 Not included
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?		 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 Not included SXQ836
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had anal sex?		 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?		 SXQ624
In your lifetime, on how many men have you performed oral sex?
Male sex partner(s) in the last 12 months
Oral sex with male partner		 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?		 SXQ550c
In the past 12 months, with how many males have you had anal or oral sex?		 SXQ550c
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had anal or oral sex?		 SXQ550c
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?		 SXQ570c
With how many of these males have you had only oral sex?		 Not included Not included
Not included Not included Not included SXQ841c
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had anal sex?		 SXQ841c
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had anal sex?
Not included Not included Not included SXQ627c
In the past 12 months, on how many men have you performed oral sex?		 SXQ627c
In the past 12 months, on how many men have you performed oral sex?
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.		 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 SXD621
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 Not included SXD630c
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.		 Not included
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?		 SXQ610c
In the past 12 months, about how many times have you had vaginal or anal sex?		 SXQ610c,e
In the past 12 months, about how many times have you had {vaginal or anal/vaginal/anal} sex?		 SXQ610c,e
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?		 SXQ590c
Of the persons you had sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years older than you?		 SXQ590d
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
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?		 SXQ600c
Of the persons you had sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years younger than you?		 SXQ600d
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 Not included SXQ648c
In the past 12 months, did you have any kind of sex with a person that you never had sex with before?		 SXQ648c
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?		 SXQ251c
In the past 12 months, about how often have you had vaginal or anal sex without using a condom?		 SXQ251c,e
In the past 12 months, about how often have you had {vaginal or anal/vaginal/anal} sex without using a condom?		 SXQ251c,e
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 SXQ645c
When you performed oral sex in the past 12 months, how often would you use protection, like a condom or dental dam?		 SXQ645c
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?		 SXQ260c
Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you had genital herpes?		 SXQ260c
Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you had genital herpes?		 SXQ260c
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?		 SXQ265c
Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?		 SXQ265c
Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?		 SXQ265c
Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?
Not included Not included Not included SXQ267c,g
How old were you when you were first told that you had genital warts?		 SXQ267c,g
How old were you when you were first told 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?		 SXQ270c
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had gonorrhea, sometimes called GC or clap?		 SXQ270c
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had gonorrhea, sometimes called GC or clap?		 Not included
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?		 SXQ272c
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had Chlamydia?		 SXQ272c
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had Chlamydia?		 Not included
Circumcision status SXQ280
Are you circumcised or uncircumcised?		 SXQ280
Are you circumcised or uncircumcised?		 SXQ280c
Are you circumcised or uncircumcised?		 SXQ280c,j
Are you circumcised or uncircumcised?		 SXQ280c,j
Are you circumcised or uncircumcised?
Interview status Not included SXAISC
Interview status code		 SXAISC
Interview status code		 Not included Not included

 

 
a Questions were changed during data collection: “vaginal, anal, and oral” qualifiers were removed. See documentation accompanied 2007-2008 data file (available at: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/2007-2008/SXQ_E.htm) for more details.
b Target age: 14-17 years.
c Target age: 14-59 years.
d Target age changed from 14-59 years to 14-29 years in 2009-2010.
e Question was edited to include "fills". For example, depending on what types of sex respondents indicated having determines the fills in the question.
f Target age: 18-59 years.
g Question was added in 2013-2014.
h Wording and response categories for question modified in 2015-2016.
Moved to interviewer-administered MEC CAPI interview in 2017-2020.
i Does not include persons who only had oral sex.
j In 2013-2020, the circumcision question was not asked to men who answered “No” (code=2) to all of the type-specific sex questions (i.e., SXQ800, SXQ803, SXQ806, and SXQ809). However, the question was asked to youth 14-17 years who answered “No” to SXQ615 during the same data collection cycles.

 

Appendix 2. Sexual Behavior (SXQ) Data for Females in NHANES 2003-2020 Release Files

2003-2004
Variable name/Question		 2005-2006
Variable name/Question		 2007-2008a
Variable name/Question		 2009-2018
Variable name/Question		 2017-2020
Variable name/Question
Target age 14-59 years 14-59 years 14-69 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
SXQ615b		 SXD021
Ever had vaginal, anal, or oral sex.
Derived from:
SXQ700
SXQ703
SXQ706
SXQ709
SXQ615b
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.		 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.		 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.		 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.		 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?		 SXD031e
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}?		 SXD031e,i
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?		 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?		 SXQ350c
With how many of these males have you had only oral sex?		 Not included Not included
Not included Not included Not included SXQ724c
In your lifetime, with how many men have you had vaginal sex? Vaginal sex means a man’s penis in your vagina.		 SXQ724c
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 SXQ624c
In your lifetime, on how many men have you performed oral sex?		 SXQ624c
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?		 SXQ450c
In the past 12 months, with how many males have you had vaginal, anal, or oral sex?		 SXD450c
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had any kind of sex?		 SXD450c
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?		 SXQ470c
With how many of these males have you had only oral sex?		 Not included Not included
Not included Not included Not included SXQ727c
In the past 12 months, with how many men have you had vaginal sex? Vaginal sex means a man’s penis in your vagina.		 SXQ727c
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 SXQ627c
In the past 12 months, on how many men have you performed oral sex?		 SXQ627c
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 SXD621c
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 Not included SXD630c
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.		 Not included
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?		 SXQ130
In your lifetime, with how many women have you had sex?		 SXQ130c
In your lifetime with how many women have you had sex? By sex, we mean sexual contact with another woman’s vagina or genitals.		 SXQ130c
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 SXQ636c
In your lifetime, on how many women have you performed oral sex?		 SXQ636c
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?		 SXQ490c
In the past 12 months, with how many females have you had sex?		 SXQ490c
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.		 SXQ490c
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 SXQ639c
In the past 12 months, on how many women have you performed oral sex?		 SXQ639c
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 SXQ741c
Have you ever performed oral sex on a woman? Performing oral sex means your mouth on a woman’s vagina or genitals.		 SXQ741c
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 SXD633c
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 Not included SXD642c
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.		 Not included
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?		 SXQ610c
In the past 12 months, about how many times have you had vaginal or anal sex?		 SXQ610c,e
In the past 12 months, about how many times have you had {vaginal or anal/vaginal/anal} sex?		 SXQ610c,e
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?		 SXQ590c
Of the persons you had sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years older than you?		 SXQ590d
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
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?		 SXQ600c
Of the persons you had sex with in the past 12 months, how many were five or more years younger than you?		 SXQ600d
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 Not included SXQ648c
In the past 12 months, did you have any kind of sex with a person that you never had sex with before?		 SXQ648c
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?		 SXQ251c
In the past 12 months, about how often have you had vaginal or anal sex without using a condom?		 SXQ251c,e
In the past 12 months, about how often have you had {vaginal or anal/vaginal/anal} sex without using a condom?		 SXQ251c,e
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 SXQ645c
When you performed oral sex in the past 12 months, how often would you use protection, like a condom or dental dam?		 SXQ645c
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?		 SXQ260c
Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you had genital herpes?		 SXQ260c
Has a doctor or other health professional ever told you that you had genital herpes?		 SXQ260c
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?		 SXQ265c
Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?		 SXQ265c
Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?		 SXQ265c
Has a doctor or health care professional ever told you that you had genital warts?
Not included Not included Not included SXQ267c,g
How old were you when you were first told that you had genital warts?		 SXQ267c,g
How old were you when you were first told that you had genital warts?
Not included Not included Not included SXQ753c
Has a doctor or other health care professional ever told you that you had human papillomavirus or HPV?		 SXQ753c
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?		 SXQ270c
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had gonorrhea, sometimes called GC or clap?		 SXQ270c
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had gonorrhea, sometimes called GC or clap?		 Not included
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?		 SXQ272c
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had Chlamydia?		 SXQ272c
In the past 12 months, has a doctor or other health care professional told you that you had Chlamydia?		 Not included
Interview status Not included SXAISC
Interview status code		 SXAISC
Interview status code		 Not included Not included

 

a Questions were changed during data collection: “vaginal, anal, and oral” qualifiers were removed. See documentation accompanied 2007-2008 data file (available at: https://wwwn.cdc.gov/nchs/nhanes/2007-2008/SXQ_E.htm) for more details.
b Target age: 14-17 years.
c Target age: 14-59 years.
d Target age changed from 14-59 years to 14-29 years in 2009-2010.
e Question was edited to include "fills". For example, depending on what types of sex respondents indicated having determines the fills in the question.
f Target age: 18-59 years.
g Question was added in 2013-2014.
h Wording and response categories for question modified in 2015-2016.
Moved to interviewer-administered MEC CAPI interview in 2017-2020.
i Not include persons who only had oral sex.