National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles II, 2000-2001

UKDA study number:5223

Principal Investigators

National Centre for Social Research
Johnson, A.
Fenton, K.
Copas, A.
McCadden, A.
Carder, C.
Ridgway, G.
Royal Free and University College Medical School
Mercer, C.
University College London. Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences. Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research
Wellings, K.
Macdowall, W.
Nanchahal, K.
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Data Collector

National Centre for Social Research

Sponsors

Medical Research Council
Department of Health
Scottish Executive
National Assembly for Wales

Distributed by

UK Data Archive, University of Essex, Colchester.

August 2005

Bibliographic Citation

All works which use or refer to these materials should acknowledge these sources by means of bibliographic citation. To ensure that such source attributions are captured for bibliographic indexes, citations must appear in footnotes or in the reference section of publications. The bibliographic citation for this data collection is:

National Centre for Social Research et al. , National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles II, 2000-2001 [computer file]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Archive [distributor], August 2005. SN: 5223.

Acknowledgement

Any publication, whether printed, electronic or broadcast, based wholly or in part on these materials, should acknowledge the original data creators, depositors or copyright holders, the funders of the Data Collections (if different) and the UK Data Archive, and to acknowledge Crown Copyright where appropriate.
Any publication, whether printed, electronic or broadcast, based wholly or in part on these materials should carry a statement that the original data creators, depositors or copyright holders, the funders of the Data Collections (if different) and the UK Data Archive bear no responsibility for their further analysis or interpretation.

Copyright:
National Centre for Social Research and A. Johnson, K. Fenton, A. Copas, C. Mercer, A. McCadden, C. Carder, G. Ridgway, K. Wellings, W. Macdowall and K. Nanchahal

Disclaimer

Although all efforts are made to ensure the quality of the materials, neither the original data creators, depositors or copyright holders, the funders of the Data Collections, nor the UK Data Archive bear any responsibility for the accuracy or comprehensiveness of these materials.

All rights reserved. No part of these materials may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the UK Data Archive.

UK Data Archive
University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
Essex C04 3SQ
United Kingdom
www.data-archive.ac.uk

5223 . National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles II, 2000-2001
(NATSAL II; NATSAL 2000)

Depositor:

Mercer, C. , University College London. Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences. Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research

Principal Investigators:

National Centre for Social Research

Johnson, A. , Royal Free and University College Medical School

Fenton, K. , Royal Free and University College Medical School

Copas, A. , Royal Free and University College Medical School

Mercer, C. , University College London. Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences. Centre for Sexual Health and HIV Research

McCadden, A. , Royal Free and University College Medical School

Carder, C. , Royal Free and University College Medical School

Ridgway, G. , Royal Free and University College Medical School

Wellings, K. , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Macdowall, W. , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Nanchahal, K. , London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Data Collector:

National Centre for Social Research

Sponsors:

Medical Research Council
Department of Health
Scottish Executive
National Assembly for Wales

Project Number:

P1873

Abstract:

The National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles II, 2000-2001 (NATSAL II) was very closely modelled on the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles, 1990-1991 (NATSAL I, held at the UKDA under SN 3434), carried out by the same team of investigators. The results from the first survey were widely used by academics and policymakers. Towards the end of the 1990s, it became increasingly clear that the NATSAL I results were growing outdated and that repeat measures were needed not only to provide up-to-date information for estimating the likely extent of the HIV epidemic in Britain, but also to look at behaviour change over time and to include new questions to take account of current information needs in the field of sexual health.

The main objectives of NATSAL II were to:

• provide a detailed understanding of patterns of sexual behaviour in Britain (including for example, numbers of sexual partners, frequency of different sexual practices, and homosexual experience)
• provide data for HIV/AIDS projections in Britain
• assess whether there have been changes in behaviour since NATSAL I
• measure the prevalence of chlamydia trachomatis infection, via urine samples

Given the importance of making comparisons with NATSAL I data, NATSAL II was largely a repeat of the 1990 survey. However, it was also recognised that a number of methodological developments in survey research in the intervening period could lead to improvements in the data collection process for NATSAL II. In particular, the use of Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) and Computer Assisted Self-Interview (CASI) techniques had the potential to improve on response rates and data quality, as well as maximise the disclosure of sensitive behaviours.

Along with the changes in methodology, there were a number of other differences between NATSAL I and II:

• NATSAL II covered a younger age group (ages 16-44) than NATSAL I (16-59) in order to focus survey resources on a group greater at risk
• people living in the Greater London area were purposely over-sampled
• a boost sample of people from four ethnic minority groups - Black Caribbean, Black African, Indian and Pakistani - was included
• new question modules were introduced on, for example, partnership formation, sexual mixing abroad, preferred sources of contraception and advice, history of sexually transmitted infections, and sexual dysfunction
• a urine specimen was collected from consenting respondents, to test for chlamydia trachomatis

National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) publications relating to NATSAL I and II may be found on the NatCen Health and Lifestyles Publications web page.

Main Topics:

The face-to-face interview included sections on: general health, family, learning about sex, first sexual experience, contraception, attitudes, and household classification.

The self-completion questionnaire included sections on: sexual attraction and experience, heterosexual sex, homosexual sex, number of partners, sex abroad, most recent partners, paying for sex (males only), miscarriage, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS testing, sexual problems.

Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.
Availability: ESDS Access and Preservation, UK Data Archive
Contact: Help desk: help@esds.ac.uk

Date of First Release:

31 August 2005

Copyright:

National Centre for Social Research and A. Johnson, K. Fenton, A. Copas, C. Mercer, A. McCadden, C. Carder, G. Ridgway, K. Wellings, W. Macdowall and K. Nanchahal

File last updated:

29 October 2008