SURVEY TITLE: Behavioral Risk Factor Survey - New York City
ACRONYM: BRFS - NY
SPONSOR: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services.
SURVEY PURPOSE: The CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System has helped state and local areas survey U.S. adults to gather information about a wide range of behaviors that affect their health. The primary focus of these Behavioral Risk Factor Surveys has been on behaviors that are linked with the leading causes of death—heart disease, cancer, stroke,
diabetes, and injury—and other important health issues. These behaviors include: 1) not getting enough physical activity, 2) being overweight, 3) not using seatbelts, 4) using tobacco and alcohol, and 5) not getting preventive medical care that can save lives, such as flu shots, mammograms, Pap smears, and colorectal cancer screening tests.
LOCATION SAMPLED: New York City and is known locally as the Community Health Survey.
YEARS SEXUAL ORIENTATION DATA COLLECTED: 2002+.
SAMPLE SIZE:
2002: 9,674; Cooperation rate 69.0%
2003: 9,802; Cooperation rate 63.3%
2004: 9,585; Cooperation rate 62.5%
2005: 9,818; Cooperation rate 79.3%
2006: 9,714; Cooperation rate 90.7%
2007: 9,554; Cooperation rate 90.4%
2008: 7,554; Cooperation rate 80.7%
METHOD OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION DATA COLLECTION: Telephone.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION QUESTIONS:
2002 (see 2002 Questionnaire):
17.3) During the past 12 months, have you had sex with only males, only females, or both males and females? 1) Only with males, 2) Only with females, 3) Both males and females, 7) Don't know/not sure, 9) Refused.
2003 (see 2003 Questionnaire):
11.7) Which of the following best describes you? 1) Heterosexual (straight), 2) Gay or Lesbian, 3) Bisexual, 7) Don’t Know/ Not Sure, 9) Refused.
17.1) During the past 12 months, with how many men have you had sex? INTERVIEWER
READ: By sex we mean oral, vaginal, or anal sex, but NOT masturbation.
17.2) During the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex?
2004 (see 2004 Questionnaire):
11.12) Now I'll read a list of terms people sometimes use to describe themselves-- heterosexual or straight; homosexual, gay or lesbian; and bisexual. As I read the list again, please stop me when I get to the term that best describes how you think of your self: (READ LIST) 1. Heterosexual or straight, 2. Gay or lesbian, 3. Bisexual, (DON"T READ): 7. Don't Know, 9. Refused
Q#?.) During the past 12 months, with how many men have you had sex? INTERVIEWER READ: By sex we mean oral, vaginal, or anal sex, but NOT masturbation.
Q #?.) During the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex?
2005:
11.11A) Now I'll read a list of terms people sometimes use to describe themselves-- heterosexual or straight; homosexual, gay or lesbian; and bisexual. As I read the list again, please stop me when I get to the term that best describes how you think of your self: (READ LIST) 1. Heterosexual or straight, 2. Gay or lesbian, 3. Bisexual, (DON"T READ): 7. Don't Know, 9. Refused
15.1) During the past 12 months, with how many men have you had sex? INTERVIEWER READ: By sex we mean oral, vaginal, or anal sex, but NOT masturbation.
15.2) During the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex?
2006:
10.10) Now I'll read a list of terms people sometimes use to describe themselves-- heterosexual or straight; homosexual, gay or lesbian; and bisexual. As I read the list again, please stop me when I get to the term that best describes how you think of your self: READ RESPONSES UNTIL RESPONDENT MAKES A SELECTION 1. Heterosexual or straight, 2. Gay or lesbian, 3. Bisexual, (DON"T READ): 7. Don't Know, 9. Refused
15.7f) Have you EVER had sex with a woman? READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: By sex we mean oral, anal, or vaginal sex but not masturbation.
15.8f) During the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex?
15.3m) Have you EVER had sex with a man? READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: By sex we mean oral, or anal sex but not masturbation.
15.4m) During the past 12 months, with how many men have you had sex?
15.5m) The last time you had sex with a man, did you use a confom? IF ASKED: This includes the "female condom"
2007:
11.10) Now I'll read a list of terms people sometimes use to describe themselves-- heterosexual or straight; homosexual, gay or lesbian; and bisexual. As I read the list again, please stop me when I get to the term that best describes how you think of your self: READ RESPONSES UNTIL RESPONDENT MAKES A SELECTION 1. Heterosexual or straight, 2. Gay or lesbian, 3. Bisexual, (DON"T READ): 7. Don't Know, 9. Refused
19.3f) Have you EVER had sex with a woman? READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: By sex we mean oral, anal, or vaginal sex but not masturbation.
15.4f) During the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex?
19.3m) Have you EVER had sex with a man? READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: By sex we mean oral, or anal sex but not masturbation.
19.4m) During the past 12 months, with how many men have you had sex?
2008:
10.9) Now I'll read a list of terms people sometimes use to describe themselves-- heterosexual or straight; homosexual, gay or lesbian; and bisexual. As I read the list again, please stop me when I get to the term that best describes how you think of your self: READ RESPONSES UNTIL RESPONDENT MAKES A SELECTION 1. Heterosexual or straight, 2. Gay or lesbian, 3. Bisexual, (DON"T READ): 7. Don't Know, 9. Refused
16.5f) Have you EVER had sex with a woman? READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: By sex we mean oral, anal, or vaginal sex but not masturbation.
16.4f) During the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex?
16.3m) Have you EVER had sex with a man? READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: By sex we mean oral, or anal sex but not masturbation.
16.2m) During the past 12 months, with how many men have you had sex?
16.4m) The last time you had sex with a man, did you use a condom? IF ASKED: This includes the "female condom"
RESULTS: See Sex in the City report.
ACRONYM: BRFS - NY
SPONSOR: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States Department of Health and Human Services.
SURVEY PURPOSE: The CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System has helped state and local areas survey U.S. adults to gather information about a wide range of behaviors that affect their health. The primary focus of these Behavioral Risk Factor Surveys has been on behaviors that are linked with the leading causes of death—heart disease, cancer, stroke,
diabetes, and injury—and other important health issues. These behaviors include: 1) not getting enough physical activity, 2) being overweight, 3) not using seatbelts, 4) using tobacco and alcohol, and 5) not getting preventive medical care that can save lives, such as flu shots, mammograms, Pap smears, and colorectal cancer screening tests.
LOCATION SAMPLED: New York City and is known locally as the Community Health Survey.
YEARS SEXUAL ORIENTATION DATA COLLECTED: 2002+.
SAMPLE SIZE:
2002: 9,674; Cooperation rate 69.0%
2003: 9,802; Cooperation rate 63.3%
2004: 9,585; Cooperation rate 62.5%
2005: 9,818; Cooperation rate 79.3%
2006: 9,714; Cooperation rate 90.7%
2007: 9,554; Cooperation rate 90.4%
2008: 7,554; Cooperation rate 80.7%
METHOD OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION DATA COLLECTION: Telephone.
SEXUAL ORIENTATION QUESTIONS:
2002 (see 2002 Questionnaire):
17.3) During the past 12 months, have you had sex with only males, only females, or both males and females? 1) Only with males, 2) Only with females, 3) Both males and females, 7) Don't know/not sure, 9) Refused.
2003 (see 2003 Questionnaire):
11.7) Which of the following best describes you? 1) Heterosexual (straight), 2) Gay or Lesbian, 3) Bisexual, 7) Don’t Know/ Not Sure, 9) Refused.
17.1) During the past 12 months, with how many men have you had sex? INTERVIEWER
READ: By sex we mean oral, vaginal, or anal sex, but NOT masturbation.
17.2) During the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex?
2004 (see 2004 Questionnaire):
11.12) Now I'll read a list of terms people sometimes use to describe themselves-- heterosexual or straight; homosexual, gay or lesbian; and bisexual. As I read the list again, please stop me when I get to the term that best describes how you think of your self: (READ LIST) 1. Heterosexual or straight, 2. Gay or lesbian, 3. Bisexual, (DON"T READ): 7. Don't Know, 9. Refused
Q#?.) During the past 12 months, with how many men have you had sex? INTERVIEWER READ: By sex we mean oral, vaginal, or anal sex, but NOT masturbation.
Q #?.) During the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex?
2005:
11.11A) Now I'll read a list of terms people sometimes use to describe themselves-- heterosexual or straight; homosexual, gay or lesbian; and bisexual. As I read the list again, please stop me when I get to the term that best describes how you think of your self: (READ LIST) 1. Heterosexual or straight, 2. Gay or lesbian, 3. Bisexual, (DON"T READ): 7. Don't Know, 9. Refused
15.1) During the past 12 months, with how many men have you had sex? INTERVIEWER READ: By sex we mean oral, vaginal, or anal sex, but NOT masturbation.
15.2) During the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex?
2006:
10.10) Now I'll read a list of terms people sometimes use to describe themselves-- heterosexual or straight; homosexual, gay or lesbian; and bisexual. As I read the list again, please stop me when I get to the term that best describes how you think of your self: READ RESPONSES UNTIL RESPONDENT MAKES A SELECTION 1. Heterosexual or straight, 2. Gay or lesbian, 3. Bisexual, (DON"T READ): 7. Don't Know, 9. Refused
15.7f) Have you EVER had sex with a woman? READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: By sex we mean oral, anal, or vaginal sex but not masturbation.
15.8f) During the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex?
15.3m) Have you EVER had sex with a man? READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: By sex we mean oral, or anal sex but not masturbation.
15.4m) During the past 12 months, with how many men have you had sex?
15.5m) The last time you had sex with a man, did you use a confom? IF ASKED: This includes the "female condom"
2007:
11.10) Now I'll read a list of terms people sometimes use to describe themselves-- heterosexual or straight; homosexual, gay or lesbian; and bisexual. As I read the list again, please stop me when I get to the term that best describes how you think of your self: READ RESPONSES UNTIL RESPONDENT MAKES A SELECTION 1. Heterosexual or straight, 2. Gay or lesbian, 3. Bisexual, (DON"T READ): 7. Don't Know, 9. Refused
19.3f) Have you EVER had sex with a woman? READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: By sex we mean oral, anal, or vaginal sex but not masturbation.
15.4f) During the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex?
19.3m) Have you EVER had sex with a man? READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: By sex we mean oral, or anal sex but not masturbation.
19.4m) During the past 12 months, with how many men have you had sex?
2008:
10.9) Now I'll read a list of terms people sometimes use to describe themselves-- heterosexual or straight; homosexual, gay or lesbian; and bisexual. As I read the list again, please stop me when I get to the term that best describes how you think of your self: READ RESPONSES UNTIL RESPONDENT MAKES A SELECTION 1. Heterosexual or straight, 2. Gay or lesbian, 3. Bisexual, (DON"T READ): 7. Don't Know, 9. Refused
16.5f) Have you EVER had sex with a woman? READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: By sex we mean oral, anal, or vaginal sex but not masturbation.
16.4f) During the past 12 months, with how many women have you had sex?
16.3m) Have you EVER had sex with a man? READ ONLY IF NECESSARY: By sex we mean oral, or anal sex but not masturbation.
16.2m) During the past 12 months, with how many men have you had sex?
16.4m) The last time you had sex with a man, did you use a condom? IF ASKED: This includes the "female condom"
RESULTS: See Sex in the City report.
- Pathela P, Hajat A, Schillinger J, Blank S, Sell R, Mostashari F.Discordance between sexual behavior and self-reported sexual identity: a population-based survey of New York City men. Ann Intern Med. 2006 Sep 19;145(6):416-25. BACKGROUND: Persons reporting sexual identity that is discordant with their sexual behavior may engage in riskier sexual behaviors than those with concordant identity and behavior. The former group could play an important role in the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. OBJECTIVE: To describe discordance between self-described sexual identity and behavior among men who have sex with men and associations between identity-behavior and risk behaviors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional, random digit-dialed telephone survey of health status and risk behaviors. SETTING: New York City. PARTICIPANTS: Population-based sample of 4193 men. MEASUREMENTS: Concurrent measures of sexual identity and sexual behaviors, including number and sex of sex partners, condom use during last sexual encounter, and recent testing for HIV infection. Sex partner information was ascertained in a separate section from sexual identity; all participants were asked about the number of male sex partners and then were asked about the number of female sex partners in the past year. RESULTS: Of New York City men reporting a sexual identity, 12% reported sex with other men. Men who had sex with men exclusively but self-identified as heterosexual were more likely than their gay-identified counterparts to belong to minority racial or ethnic groups, be foreign-born, have lower education and income levels, and be married. These men were more likely than gay-identified men who have sex with men to report having only 1 sexual partner in the previous year. However, they were less likely to have been tested for HIV infection during that time (adjusted prevalence ratio, 0.6 [95% CI, 0.4 to 0.9]) and less likely to have used condoms during their last sexual encounter (adjusted prevalence ratio, 0.5 [CI, 0.3 to 1.0]). LIMITATIONS: The survey did not sample groups that cannot be reached by using residential telephone services. CONCLUSIONS: Many New York City men who have sex with men do not identify as gay. Medical providers cannot rely on patients' self-reported identities to appropriately assess risk for HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases; they must inquire about behavior. Public health prevention messages should target risky sexual activities rather than a person's sexual identity.