ABSTRACT
This study examined the prevalence and correlates of heterosexual anal intercourse in two national probability samples of young Croatian adults aged 18-25 years, which were collected in 2005 and 2010. The lifetime prevalence of anal intercourse increased from 27% to 36%. In multivariate analysis, reporting four or more lifetime sexual partners was the only correlate of the experience of anal intercourse that was significant among both women (odds ratios [ORs] = 1.78-3.27, P < 0.05) and men (ORs = 3.14-4.63, P < 0.01). Information about condom use at most recent anal intercourse was collected in the 2010 study wave only. Age (OR = 0.80, P < 0.05), female gender (OR = 0.29, P < 0.01), holding more negative attitudes towards condoms (OR = 0.28-0.32, P < 0.05) and reporting condom use at most recent vaginal intercourse (OR = 11.45, 95% Confidence interval [CI] = 5.68-23.06) were associated with using a condom at most recent anal intercourse. Given the substantial prevalence of anal intercourse among young heterosexual adults and considerable sexually transmitted infection/HIV risks associated with the practice, sex education programmes should promote the discussion of health risks associated with anal eroticism.
