Mrs Soazig Clifton

Senior Research Scientist (Public Health)

email: Soazig.Clifton@glasgow.ac.uk
pronouns: She/her/hers

Biography

I am a survey researcher and epidemiologist in the Public Health Unit at the University of Glasgow. I am experienced in the design, delivery, analysis, publication and dissemination of large-scale general population health research, with a focus on sexual behaviour and sexual and reproductive health in Britain. I hold joint affiliations with the Biomedical Surveys team at the National Centre for Social Research, and the Institute for Global Health at UCL.

Education

BSc Natural Sciences, Durham University
MSc Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Research interests

My research focuses on population sexual and reproductive health, and survey research methods. I have been part of the core team on the British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (www.natsal.ac.uk) since 2008.

In additional to publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals, I am interested in other ways of achieving impact for scientific research. My public engagement work has included a range of artistic collaborations, youth projects, and public events to promote discussion of the research and of sex more generally.

Current projects

Natsal-4: The fourth British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles
A project with Scottish Government, designing goals and indicators to promote sexual wellbeing in Scotland

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2025 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013

Number of items: 27.

2025

Sadler, Katharine, Randall, Ellen, Light, Rebecca, Maxineanu, Ioana, Hussey, David, Conolly, Anne, Clifton, Soazig ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4171-0805 and Toomse-Smith, Mari (2025) Natsal-4 Technical Report (NatCen). Technical Report. National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal).

Fischer, N., Kozák, M., Graham, C.A., Clifton, S. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4171-0805, Mercer, C.H. and Mitchell, K.R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4409-6601 (2025) Trends in masturbation prevalence and associated factors: findings from the British national surveys of sexual attitudes and lifestyles. Journal of Sex Research, (doi: 10.1080/00224499.2025.2555053) (PMID:40932457) (Early Online Publication)

Jordan, Emily, Dema, Emily, Clifton, Soazig ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4171-0805, Copas, Andrew, Riddell, Julie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8084-4566, Bosó Pérez, Raquel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7342-4566, Mercer, Catherine H., Mitchell, Kirstin Rebecca ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4409-6601, Field, Nigel and Sonnenberg, Pam (2025) Sexual behaviours and lifestyles associated with poor mental health among British adults during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: findings from a large, quasi-representative, cross-sectional web-panel survey (Natsal-COVID). BMJ Public Health, 3(1), e001443. (doi: 10.1136/ bmjph-2024-001443) (PMID:40391246) (PMCID:PMC12086888)

2023

Mitchell, K. R. et al. (2023) Sexual and reproductive health in Britain during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional population survey (Natsal-COVID-Wave 2) and national surveillance data. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 99(6), pp. 386-397. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2022-055680) (PMID:36973042) (PMCID:PMC10447381)

Mitchell, K. et al. (2023) Initial impacts of COVID-19 on sex life and relationship quality in steady relationships in Britain: findings from a large, quasi-representative survey (Natsal-COVID). Journal of Sex Research, 60(1), pp. 1-12. (doi: 10.1080/00224499.2022.2035663) (PMID:35286182)

2022

Mercer, C. H. et al. (2022) Impacts of COVID-19 on sexual behaviour in Britain: findings from a large, quasi-representative survey (Natsal-COVID). Sexually Transmitted Infections, 98(7), pp. 469-477. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2021-055210) (PMID:34916335) (PMCID:PMC8687784)

Sonnenberg, P. et al. (2022) Intimate physical contact between people from different households during the COVID-19 pandemic: a mixed-methods study from a large, quasi representative survey (Natsal-COVID). BMJ Open, 12(2), e055284. (doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055284) (PMID:35140158) (PMCID:PMC8829844)

Macdowall, W.G. et al. (2022) Salivary testosterone and sexual function and behaviour in men and women: findings from the third British National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3). Journal of Sex Research, 59(2), pp. 135-149. (doi: 10.1080/00224499.2021.1968327) (PMID:34634954)

2021

Mercer, C. et al. (2021) Early Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Sexual Behaviour in Britain: Findings From a Large, Quasi-Representative Survey (Natsal-COVID). Sexually Transmitted Infections. 97(Suppl 1). STI & HIV World Congress, 14-17 Jul 2021. A27. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2021-sti.78)

2019

Mercer, C. H. et al. (2019) Collecting and exploiting data to understand a nation’s sexual health needs: Implications for the British National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal). Sexually Transmitted Infections, 95(3), pp. 159-161. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2018-053571) (PMID:30890634) (PMCID:PMC6580741)

Clifton, Soazig ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4171-0805, Prior, Gillian, Swales, Kirby, Sonnenberg, Pam, Mitchell, Kirstin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4409-6601, Copas, Andrew and Mercer, Catherine H. (2019) Design of a Survey of Sexual Behaviour and Attitudes in the British Population: Scoping Review. Working Paper. National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal).

2017

Mercer, C.H. et al. (2017) How can we objectively categorise partnership type? A novel classification of population survey data to inform epidemiological research and clinical practice. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 93(2), pp. 129-136. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2016-052646) (PMID:27535765) (PMCID:PMC5339562)

2016

Mitchell, Kirstin R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4409-6601, Geary, Rebecca, Graham, Cynthia, Clifton, Soazig ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4171-0805, Mercer, Catherine H., Lewis, Ruth ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6768-6188, Macdowall, Wendy, Datta, Jessica, Johnson, Anne M. and Wellings, Kaye (2016) Sexual function in 16- to 21-year-olds in Britain. Journal of Adolescent Health, 59(4), pp. 422-428. (doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.05.017) (PMID:27496078) (PMCID:PMC5026680)

Prah, P. et al. (2016) Men who have sex with men in Britain: comparing methods and estimates from probability and convenience sample surveys. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 92(6), pp. 455-463. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2015-052389) (PMID:26965869) (PMCID:PMC5013102)

Tanton, Clare, Johnson, Anne M., Macdowell, Wendy, Datta, Jessica, Clifton, Soazig ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4171-0805, Field, Nigel, Mitchell, Kirstin R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4409-6601, Wellings, Kate, Sonnenberg, Pam and Mercer, Catherine H. (2016) Forming new sex partnerships while overseas: findings from the third British national survey of sexual attitudes & lifestyles (Natsal-3). Sexually Transmitted Infections, 92(6), pp. 415-423. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2015-052459) (PMID:27272533) (PMCID:PMC5013104)

Field, N. et al. (2016) Are depression and poor sexual health neglected comorbidities? Evidence from a population sample. BMJ Open, 6(3), e010521. (doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-010521) (PMID:27009148) (PMCID:PMC4809090)

Mitchell, K. R. et al. (2016) Medicated sex in Britain: evidence from the third national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles. Sexually Transmitted Infections, 92(1), pp. 32-38. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2015-052094) (PMID:26092974)

Clifton, S. et al. (2016) Salivary testosterone levels and health status in men and women in the British general population: findings from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3). Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 101(11), pp. 3939-3951. (doi: 10.1210/jc.2016-1669) (PMID:27552539) (PMCID:PMC5095233)

2015

Jones, K.G. et al. (2015) The prevalence of, and factors associated with, paying for sex among men resident in Britain: findings from the third national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (Natsal-3). Sexually Transmitted Infections, 91(2), pp. 116-123. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2014-051683) (PMID:25404706) (PMCID:PMC4345903)

Tanton, C. et al. (2015) Patterns and trends in sources of information about sex among young people in Britain: evidence from three National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles. BMJ Open, 5(3), e007834. (doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007834) (PMID:25743153) (PMCID:PMC4360842)

Macdowall, W. et al. (2015) Associations between source of information about sex and sexual health outcomes in Britain: findings from the third national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (Natsal-3). BMJ Open, 5(3), e007837. (doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2015-007837) (PMID:25743154) (PMCID:PMC4360826)

2014

Erens, B. et al. (2014) Nonprobability web surveys to measure sexual behaviors and attitudes in the general population: a comparison with a probability sample interview survey. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 16(12), e276. (doi: 10.2196/jmir.3382) (PMID:25488851) (PMCID:PMC4275497)

Erens, B. et al. (2014) Methodology of the third British national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (Natsal-3). Sexually Transmitted Infections, 90(2), pp. 84-89. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051359) (PMID:24277881) (PMCID:PMC3933071)

2013

Mitchell, K. R. et al. (2013) Sexual function in Britain: findings from the third national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (Natsal-3). Lancet, 382(9907), pp. 1817-1829. (doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)62366-1) (PMID:24286787) (PMCID:PMC3898902)

Field, N. et al. (2013) Associations between health and sexual lifestyles in Britain: findings from the third national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (Natsal-3). Lancet, 382(9907), pp. 1830-1844. (doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)62222-9) (PMID:24286788) (PMCID:PMC3898988)

Macdowall, W. et al. (2013) Lifetime prevalence, associated factors, and circumstances of non-volitional sex in women and men in Britain: findings from the third national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles (Natsal-3). Lancet, 382(9907), pp. 1845-1855. (doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)62300-4) (PMID:24286789) (PMCID:PMC3898964)

Mercer, C. H. et al. (2013) Changes in sexual attitudes and lifestyles in Britain through the life course and over time: findings from the National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal). Lancet, 382(9907), pp. 1781-1794. (doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)62035-8) (PMID:24286784) (PMCID:PMC3899021)

This list was generated on Mon Feb 16 20:04:57 2026 GMT.

Jump to: Articles | Research Reports or Papers | Conference or Workshop Item

Number of items: 27.

Articles

Research Reports or Papers

Conference or Workshop Item

This list was generated on Mon Feb 16 20:04:57 2026 GMT.

Prior publications

Article

Soazig Clifton, Hikaru Bolt, Hamish Mohammed, Katy Town, Martina Furegato, Michelle Cole, Oona Campbell, Helen Fifer, Gwenda Hughes (2018) Prevalence of and factors associated with MDR Neisseria gonorrhoeae in England and Wales between 2004 and 2015: analysis of annual cross-sectional surveillance surveys Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy Crossref. (doi: 10.1093/jac/dkx520)

Tanton, C., Mesher, D., Beddows, S., Soldan, K., Clifton, S., Panwar, K., Field, N., Mercer, C.H., Johnson, A.M., Sonnenberg, P. (2017) Human papillomavirus (HPV) in young women in Britain: Population-based evidence of the effectiveness of the bivalent immunisation programme and burden of quadrivalent and 9-valent vaccine types Papillomavirus Research Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1016/j.pvr.2017.01.001)

Clifton, S., Nardone, A., Field, N., Mercer, C.H., Tanton, C., Macdowall, W., Johnson, A.M., Sonnenberg, P. (2016) HIV testing, risk perception, and behaviour in the British population AIDS Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000001006)

Woodhall, S.C. et al. (2016) Is chlamydia screening and testing in Britain reaching young adults at risk of infection? Findings from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3) Sexually Transmitted Infections Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2015-052013)

Clifton, S., Mercer, C.H., Woodhall, S.C., Sonnenberg, P., Field, N., Lu, L., Johnson, A.M., Cassell, J.A. (2016) Patterns of chlamydia testing in different settings and implications for wider STI diagnosis and care: A probability sample survey of the British population Sexually Transmitted Infections Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2016-052719)

Keevil, B.G., Fiers, T., Kaufman, J.-M., Macdowall, W., Clifton, S., Lee, D., Wu, F. (2016) Sex hormone-binding globulin has no effect on salivary testosterone Annals of Clinical Biochemistry Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1177/0004563216646800)

Mercer, C.H. et al. (2016) The health and well-being of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Britain: Evidence from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3) BMC Public Health Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1186/s12889-016-3149-z)

Field, N. et al. (2016) Trichomonas vaginalis infection is uncommon in the British general population: Implications for clinical testing and public health screening Sexually Transmitted Infections Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2016-052660)

Burkill, S., Copas, A., Couper, M.P., Clifton, S., Prah, P., Datta, J., Conrad, F., Wellings, K., Johnson, A.M., Erens, B. (2016) Using the web to collect data on sensitive behaviours: A study looking at mode effects on the British national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles PLoS ONE Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147983)

Prah, P. et al. (2015) Asking about sex in general health surveys: Comparing the methods and findings of the 2010 health survey for England with those of the third national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles PLoS ONE Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135203)

Field, N. et al. (2015) Confirmatory assays are essential when using molecular testing for Neisseria gonorrhoeae in low-prevalence settings: Insights from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3) Sexually Transmitted Infections Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2014-051850)

Sonnenberg, P. et al. (2015) Epidemiology of Mycoplasma genitalium in British men and women aged 16-44 years: Evidence from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3) International Journal of Epidemiology Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1093/ije/dyv194)

Tanton, C. et al. (2015) High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer prevention in Britain: Evidence of differential uptake of interventions from a probability survey Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-14-1333)

Prah, P. et al. (2014) Consistency in reporting sensitive sexual behaviours in Britain: Change in reporting bias in the second and third National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-2 and Natsal-3) Sexually Transmitted Infections Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051292)

Prah, P. et al. (2013) Consistency in reporting sensitive sexual behaviours in Britain: Change in reporting bias in the second and third National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-2 and Natsal-3) Sexually Transmitted Infections Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1136/sextrans-2013-051360)

Aicken, C.R.H., Gray, M., Clifton, S., Tanton, C., Field, N., Sonnenberg, P., Johnson, A.M., Mercer, C.H. (2013) Improving questions on sexual partnerships: Lessons learned from cognitive interviews for Britain's third national survey of sexual attitudes and lifestyles ("Natsal-3") Archives of Sexual Behavior Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1007/s10508-012-9962-2)

Sonnenberg, P. et al. (2013) Prevalence, risk factors, and uptake of interventions for sexually transmitted infections in Britain: Findings from the National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal) The Lancet Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61947-9)

Wellings, K. et al. (2013) The prevalence of unplanned pregnancy and associated factors in Britain: Findings from the third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal-3) The Lancet Scopus - Elsevier. (doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)62071-1)