scholarly journals Embarrassment, Shame, and Reassurance: Emotion and Young People’s Access to Online Sexual Health Information

Author(s):  
Andrea Waling ◽  
Adrian Farrugia ◽  
Suzanne Fraser
2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232110035
Author(s):  
Adrian Farrugia ◽  
Andrea Waling ◽  
Kiran Pienaar ◽  
Suzanne Fraser

In this article, we investigate young people’s trust in online sexual health resources. Analyzing interviews with 37 young people in Australia using Irwin and Michael’s account of science–society relations and Warner’s conceptualization of “publics,” we explore the processes by which they assess the credibility of online sexual health information. We suggest that when seeking medical information, young people opt for traditionally authoritative online sources that purport to offer “facts.” By contrast, when seeking information about relationships or sexual practices, participants indicated a preference for websites presenting “experiences” rather than or as well as “facts.” Regardless of content, however, our participants approached online sexual health information skeptically and used various techniques to appraise its quality and trustworthiness. We argue that these young people are productively understood as a skeptical public of sexual health. We conclude by exploring the implications of our analysis for the provision of online sexual health information.


2021 ◽  
pp. 074355842110282
Author(s):  
Elizabeth K. Schmidt ◽  
Megan Dougherty ◽  
Natalie Robek ◽  
Lindy Weaver ◽  
Amy R. Darragh

The purpose of this study is to understand the sexual experiences and perspectives of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with intellectual or developmental disabilities, how they are receiving sexual education, and how sexual education can be tailored to their needs. This qualitative study utilized semi-structured focus groups and interviews with eight AYA with intellectual or developmental disabilities from January 14 to May 7, 2019. Data were analyzed using a constant comparative approach. Participants reported a diverse range of sexual experiences and an interest in marriage and parenting in the future. Two themes emerged for how AYA are learning about sexual health information: through formal (school, doctors’ visits, or from caregivers) and informal education (peers, siblings, self-exploration, or Pop Culture). Sexual education can be tailored to this population by addressing educational gaps (pregnancy, contraception, sexually transmitted infections, intimacy, and sexual activity) and by implementing specific participant recommendations (proactive, inclusive education with real-life examples). With a growing emphasis on disability rights to sexual education among individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, it is vital to understand AYA’s experiences, perspectives, and current understanding of sexual health information so that we can design a program specifically tailored to meet their unique needs.


Sexual Health ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron Ewert ◽  
Archibald Collyer ◽  
Meredith Temple-Smith

Background In Australia, 15- to 29-year-olds account for 75% of all sexually transmissible infection (STI) diagnoses. STI rates among young men are rising, with most diagnosed in general practice. Young men less frequently attend general practice than young women, and rarely present with sexual health issues, making it difficult for general practitioners (GPs) to offer opportunistic STI education and screening. Little is known of the barriers preventing male university students accessing general practice for sexual health care, or what would facilitate this. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with young men aged 18–24 years attending university between 2012 and 2014. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using content and thematic analysis. Results: Twenty-eight interviews of 26–50 min duration found self-imposed views of masculinity, privacy and embarrassment as key barriers to accessing GPs for sexual health care. This was compounded by poor STI knowledge and not knowing when or where to go for care. Participants, except if they were international students, acknowledged school as an important source of sexual health education. The need for sexual health education at university was identified. While the Internet was a popular source, there were mixed views on the benefits of social media and text messaging for sexual health promotion. Conclusions: Current expectations of young male university students to seek sexual health care or acquire sexual health information from medical care may be misplaced. Universities have an excellent opportunity to provide young men with appropriate sexual health information and could offer novel strategies to help young men look after their sexual health.


2021 ◽  
Vol 276 ◽  
pp. 113817
Author(s):  
Suzanne Fraser ◽  
David Moore ◽  
Andrea Waling ◽  
Adrian Farrugia

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. S9-S10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel K. Jones ◽  
Ann E. Biddlecom ◽  
Ruth M. Milne

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Margaret Dolcini ◽  
Joseph A. Catania ◽  
Coral Cotto-Negron ◽  
Jesse A. Canchola ◽  
Jocelyn Warren ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (7) ◽  
pp. 671-679
Author(s):  
Benjamin J Gray ◽  
Adam T Jones ◽  
Zoë Couzens ◽  
Tracey Sagar ◽  
Debbie Jones

Globally, it is widely recognised that young people (those under the age of 25 years) are at a higher risk of developing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The majority of university students studying in the UK fall within this age bracket, and to help prevent such high incidence of STIs in this age group, it is essential that advice and treatment, if required, are obtained from reliable sources. This study sought to explore sources of sexual heath advice and treatment for students at Welsh universities (n = 3007). The main sources of advice were identified as the internet (49.1%) and GP/family doctors (38.9%), whilst local sexual health clinics (24.9%) and GP/family doctor services (20.2%) were the main sources for treatment in students. Males were more likely than females to report never needing advice (AOR 2.74; CI = 2.24–3.35) or requiring treatment (AOR 1.37; CI = 1.17–1.60). The apparent lack of engagement with these services by male students is a cause for concern, although one possible solution could be to further develop online methods to increase uptake of testing. Furthermore, the popularity of the internet for advice provides a timely reminder that regulation of online sexual health information is critical.


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