Mental Health and Associated Sexual Health Behaviours in a Sample of Young People Attending a Music Festival in Melbourne, Victoria

Abstract Background Syndemic theory highlights the potential for health problems to interact synergistically, compounding impact. Young adults not in education, employment or training (NEET) are more likely to experience disadvantage and poorer general health outcomes. However, there is little research on their sexual health, or the extent to which this clusters with mental and physical health outcomes. Methods Analysis of data from 16 to 24 year olds (1729 men, 2140 women) interviewed 2010–12 for Britain’s third National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles. Natsal-3 is a national probability sample survey using computer-assisted personal interviewing with computer-assisted self-interviewing. Participants were classified as workers, students or NEET. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine associations between being NEET (relative to worker or student) and risk behaviours and outcomes in physical, sexual and mental health domains. We then examined how risk behaviours and poor health outcomes cluster within and across domains. Results 15% men and 20% women were NEET; 36% men and 32% women were workers; and 49% men and 48% women were students. Young people who were NEET were more likely to report smoking and drug use (men) than other young people. There were few differences in sexual health, although NEETs were more likely to report condomless sex, and NEET women, unplanned pregnancy (past year). Risk behaviours clustered more within and across domains for NEET men. Among NEET women, poor health outcomes clustered across mental, physical and sexual health domains. Conclusions Harmful health behaviours (men) and poor health outcomes (women) clustered more in those who are NEET. This points to a possible syndemic effect of NEET status on general ill health, especially for women. Our paper is novel in highlighting that elevated risk pertains to sexual as well as mental and physical health.

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Can text messages increase safer sexual health behaviours in young people?

http://isrctn.org/> ◽

10.1186/isrctn02304709 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Ona McCarthy

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Text Messages

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What impact does illness severity have on the sexual health of young people affected by mental health disorders? A comparison of inpatients and outpatients

Australasian Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/1039856220960373 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 103985622096037

Author(s):

Nancy Pehlivan ◽

Ellie Brown ◽

Asiel Yair Adan Sanchez ◽

Felix McMillan ◽

Danielle Moore ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sexual Dysfunction ◽

Young People ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Mental Health Disorders ◽

Illness Severity ◽

Health Needs ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Health Disorders

Objective: Young people affected by mental health disorders have greater sexual health needs compared to their peers. Less is known about this need across illness severity. Method: A cross-sectional survey of the sexual health of those attending outpatients or inpatients within a youth mental health service was conducted. Statistical differences between groups were explored. Results: One hundred and seven young people (18–25 years) participated and of these, 37.7% were inpatients who had more severe psychiatric symptoms than outpatients. While inpatients were as likely to be sexually active as outpatients, they were significantly less likely to have a regular sexual partner (25% vs 64.5%). Additionally, they used amphetamines more frequently during sex (28.6% vs 5.8%). Sexual dysfunction was experienced by 55.6% of inpatients and 37.9% of outpatients. Conclusions: High-risk sexual behaviours and sexual dysfunction were highly prevalent in both groups. For some behaviours and dysfunction, this prevalence was higher in the inpatient population. Holistic clinical services that address the mental, physical and sexual health needs of consumers are needed both within inpatient and outpatient settings.

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Consulting with Stakeholders About Dissemination of Sexual Health Research Findings

Klinička psihologija ◽

10.21465/2016-kp-op-0082 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 116-116

Author(s):

L. Burke ◽

◽

H. Young ◽

M. D’Eath ◽

S. Nic Gabhainn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Information Needs ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Youth Workers ◽

Adolescent Sexual Health ◽

Stakeholder Groups ◽

Research Findings ◽

Gender Patterns ◽

Use Of Social Media

Objective: It is an ethical imperative to disseminate research findings to as wide an audience as possible in a manner that is useable, understandable and appropriate for stakeholders. This study sought to explore and identify appropriate approaches to use with adolescent sexual health survey data among a range of stakeholder groups. Design and Method: A series of qualitative workshops were conducted with groups of young people, parents, youth workers and teachers. Using a semi-structured format, the discussions covered responses to current dissemination formats, information needs, and current and preferred sources and formats of information. Results: All stakeholder groups reported interest in age and gender patterns, but less in social class or other differences within surveys. There was a widespread preference for graphical representations of study findings, rather than text, and a particular emphasis on visual attractiveness among the young people. Opinions varied between groups on preferred formats and use of social media. Young people and youth workers encouraged the involvement of young people themselves in the generation of dissemination materials. Parents and teachers were more concerned with accessibility and particularly that materials would be suitable for photocopying for use with students in classrooms. Conclusions: This consultation provided valuable and constructive insights into suitable approaches to the distribution of research findings to a variety of audiences. Correctly adopted this information has the potential to expand the reaches of survey and other research findings thereby extending knowledge on adolescent sexual health behaviours to a broader audience and across a number of sectors.

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The Need for an Integrated Approach to Reducing Young People’s Risk of Homelessness and HIV in Pakistan

Pakistan Journal of Public Health ◽

10.32413/pjph.v10i2.604 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 77-81

Author(s):

Muhammad Naveed Noor

Keyword(s):

Health Promotion ◽

Young People ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Health Sector ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Past Research ◽

Integrated Approach ◽

Good Health ◽

Inconsistent Condom ◽

Increased Risk

Background: Past research demonstrated a link between homelessness and the increased risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, ways to reduce young people’s risk of homelessness and sexual health risks have not been adequately addressed. This paper, based on the first detailed sociological exploration into the lived experiences of homeless young people, argues for the adoption of a holistic and integrated approach to health promotion that goes beyond the health sector. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with twenty-nine homeless young people, aged 16-25-year-old, from Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Results: A combination of socio-structural and interpersonal forces shaped participants’ pathways to homelessness and their experiences of street life – notably regarding sex work – and produce contexts of competing risks where HIV/STIs prevention became a secondary concern. Participants had a reasonable knowledge regarding nature, transmission, prevention, and to some extent, treatment of HIV/STIs. Nevertheless, this knowledge did not help them much, as most of the participants used condoms inconsistently with clients and intimate partners. Financial considerations, fear of violence from clients, and social obligations in intimate partnerships contributed to participants inconsistent condom use, increasing their risk of HIV/STIs. Conclusion: The results indicate the importance of the Ottawa Charter of health promotion, which suggests that conventional health promotion approaches are potentially suboptimal in shaping health behaviours supportive of good health. Notably, building healthy public policies, creating supportive environments, strengthening community actions, developing personal skills, and reorienting health services can help to improve young people’s socioeconomic status, which is inextricably linked with sexual health behaviour and status.

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Sexual health promotion messages for young people in Netflix most-watched series content (2015–2020): mixed-methods analysis study

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-052826 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (12) ◽

pp. e052826

Author(s):

Solenne Tauty ◽

Philippe Martin ◽

Aurélie Bourmaud ◽

Boris Chapoton ◽

Elise de La Rochebrochard ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Promotion ◽

Young People ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Positive Health ◽

Sexually Transmitted ◽

Value Judgements ◽

Risky Behaviours ◽

And Gender

IntroductionSexual health is a major issue for young people, and there is a need to promote it. Sexual health promotion messages may be included in Netflix series that are widely watched by young people, with important emotional dimensions in scenarios.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to investigate the explicit sexual health promotion messages integrated in Netflix series popular among young people, and to describe them and how they are delivered.MethodsWe selected two types of Netflix series, aimed at young people: (1) series whose synopsis is mainly about sexual health and (2) all-subject series. We extracted data from 65 episodes of 6 of the most-watched Netflix series. We used a data extraction grid on EpiData. We analysed sexual health themes and sexual health promotion messages. We described the series and listed all the sexual health and other health themes discussed. For each promotion message, we described scene contents and extracted dialogues.ResultsWe found 62 promotion messages in the 6 analysed series. The two series that highlight sexual health in their synopsis account for 81% (n=50/62) of these identified promotion messages. Messages mainly focus on sexual harassment and violence (19%), on sexually transmitted infections protection (18%) and on contraception (15%). Messages are mainly delivered as verbal information, and mostly feature 16–18 years old characters in school. Analysis highlighted four main points concerning scenarios in these series: (1) there are different ways to deliver sexual health promotion messages; (2) there is depiction of negative value judgements and gender norms; (3) some information may be incomplete or misleading and (4) risky behaviours are represented.ConclusionNetflix series incorporate diverse sexual health promotion messages for young people. Further research could assess how these messages are perceived and whether they increase the knowledge, skills and positive health behaviours of young people.

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