Anal intercourse carries a higher risk of HIV transmission than other sexual practices
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 93/100
Extensive epidemiological and meta-analytic evidence consistently demonstrates that anal intercourse carries a significantly elevated per-act risk of HIV transmission compared to other common sexual practices.
Evidence for · 3
HIV transmission risk through anal intercourse: systematic review, meta-analysis and implications for HIV prevention
2010 · cited by 755
This systematic review and meta-analysis establishes that unprotected receptive anal intercourse carries a high per-act and per-partner risk of HIV transmission.
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More for · 2
Does per-act HIV-1 transmission risk through anal sex vary by gender? An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
2018 · cited by 45
This updated meta-analysis confirms that the per-act HIV transmission risk for receptive anal intercourse remains significantly high across populations.
Prevalence and determinants of heterosexual anal and oral sex practice among young people in Ethiopia: systematic review and Meta-analysis
2025 · cited by 0
This review highlights that anal intercourse carries a higher risk of HIV transmission than other sexual practices, such as vaginal intercourse.