Safer sex and condom use: findings from the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard O. de Visser ◽  
Paul B. Badcock ◽  
Chris Rissel ◽  
Juliet Richters ◽  
Anthony M. A. Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Condom Use ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Lower Income ◽  
Barrier Methods ◽  
Multiple Sexual Partners ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Vaginal Sex ◽  
Bisexual Identity

Background It is important to have current and reliable estimates of the frequency and correlates of condom use among Australian adults. Methods: A representative sample of 20 094 men and women aged 16–69 years, from all states and territories, completed computer-assisted telephone interviews. The overall participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Results: Although most respondents had used a condom at some time in their lives, fewer than half of those who were sexually active in the year before being interviewed had used a condom in that year. Condom use in the last year was associated with youth, speaking a language other than English at home, bisexual identity, greater education, residence in major cities, lower income and having multiple sexual partners in the last year. One-quarter of respondents used a condom the last time they had vaginal intercourse and one-sixth of these were put on after genital contact. Condom use during most recent vaginal sex was associated with youth, lower income, having sex with a non-regular partner and not using another form of contraception. Condom use appears to have increased between 2001–02 and 2012–13. Conclusion: Consistent with other research, this study showed that condom use was strongly associated with partner type and use of other contraception. There may be a need to highlight among people with multiple sexual partners the fact that non-barrier methods of contraception do not offer protection against sexually transmissible infections. The finding that many condoms were applied after genital contact suggests a need to promote both use and correct use of condoms.

scholarly journals Being drunk and high during sex is not associated with condom use behaviours: a study of high-risk young Black males

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Crosby ◽  
Robin R. Milhausen ◽  
Stephanie Sanders ◽  
Cynthia A. Graham ◽  
William L. Yarber
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Black Males ◽  
The United States ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Vaginal Sex ◽  
Audio Computer ◽  
Young Black Males

Objective To assess the relationship between the frequency of being drunk and high during sex, and condom use errors and problems (CUEP) among a sample of high-risk young Black males recruited from the United States. Methods: Data were collected in clinics treating sexually transmissible infections in three cities in the southern United States. Males 15–23 years of age (n = 697) who identified as African-American and reported recent (past 2 months) condom use were eligible. Measures of alcohol and drug use, as well as condom use behaviours were assessed by audio-computer assisted self-interview. Eighteen CUEP were included in this assessment. Results: Sixteen bivariate correlations were obtained. The magnitude of the coefficients was small, ranging from 0.01 to 0.13. Only three were significant. These were positive associations between the frequency of being drunk and the frequency of unprotected vaginal sex, as well as the frequency of the 18-item measure of CUEP. A significant correlation was also found between the frequency of being high during sex and the frequency of unprotected vaginal sex. Adjustments for age did not change the findings. Conclusions: Interventions designed to promote safer sex behaviours among young Black males attending sexually transmissible infection clinics are no more likely to benefit patients through the inclusion of messages and training attempting to dissuade the use of alcohol and drugs before or during sex.

Heterosexual experience and recent heterosexual encounters among Australian adults: the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Rissel ◽  
Paul B. Badcock ◽  
Anthony M. A. Smith ◽  
Juliet Richters ◽  
Richard O. de Visser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Representative Sample ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Oral Sex ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Multiple Partners ◽  
Lifetime Experience ◽  
Lifetime Number

Background Current information about numbers of other-sex partners, experiences of different heterosexual behaviours and the recent heterosexual experiences among a representative sample of Australian adults is needed. It is not known whether these practices have changed between 2001–02 and 2012–13. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 9963 men and 10 131 women aged 16–69 years from all states and territories. The overall participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Results: Men reported more sexual partners than women, although the lifetime number of heterosexual partners reported by women increased significantly between 2001–02 and 2012–13. In 2012–13, 14.7% of men and 8.6% of women reported two or more sexual partners in the last year. Reporting multiple partners was significantly associated with being younger, being bisexual, living in major cities, having a lower income, having a blue-collar occupation and not being married. The proportion of respondents reporting ever having had oral sex or anal intercourse increased significantly since the last survey. At the last heterosexual encounter, 91.9% of men and 66.2% of women had an orgasm, oral sex was reported in only approximately one in four encounters and anal intercourse was uncommon. Conclusion: There were increases between 2001–02 and 2012–13 in partner numbers among women and in the lifetime experience of oral and anal sex. The patterns of heterosexual experience in Australia are similar to those found in studies of representative samples in other countries.

Cross-sectional survey of Chinese-speaking and Thai-speaking female sex workers in Sydney, Australia: factors associated with consistent condom use

Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalind Foster ◽  
Lynne McCormack ◽  
Caroline Thng ◽  
Handan Wand ◽  
Anna McNulty
Keyword(s):  
Condom Use ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Female Sex Workers ◽  
Consistent Condom ◽  
Consistent Condom Use ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Vaginal Sex ◽  
Sydney Australia ◽  
Sex Practices

Background Previous studies have described inconsistent condom use in Chinese- and Thai-speaking female sex workers in Sydney, Australia. In the present study, we describe the demographics and safe sexual practices in the Chinese- and Thai-speaking female sex workers attending the Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC) in 2014–15. Methods: A self-completed 60-item anonymous questionnaire, adapted from previous surveys conducted in 1993 and 2003, was translated into Chinese and Thai and administered to female sex workers attending the SSHC or seen on outreach. Results: In all, 488 surveys were distributed, of which 435 were returned; 43% in Chinese and 57% in Thai. Most women did not plan on sex work before their arrival in Australia. Compared with Chinese-speaking women, Thai-speaking women rated themselves higher on English language literacy, had better knowledge of the transmission of HIV and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and were more likely to practice 100% condom use. Overall, 72% of the sex workers surveyed reported consistent condom use for vaginal sex at work. Conclusions: Consistent condom use for vaginal sex at work among Chinese- and Thai-speaking female sex workers has decreased slightly from that reported in a similar survey conducted by the SSHC in 2003, when 85% of sex workers reported consistent condom use. There are significant differences between Chinese- and Thai-speaking sex workers in terms of both knowledge and safer sex practices. Ongoing health promotion efforts should focus on providing culturally appropriate education around STIs and safe sex practices not only to workers, but also to parlour owners, managers and consumers.

scholarly journals Erection loss in association with condom use among young men attending a public STI clinic: potential correlates and implications for risk behaviour

Sexual Health ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia A. Graham ◽  
Richard Crosby ◽  
William L. Yarber ◽  
Stephanie A. Sanders ◽  
Kimberly McBride ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Condom Use ◽  
Risk Behaviour ◽  
Sex Partners ◽  
Inconsistent Condom ◽  
Multiple Partners ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Vaginal Sex ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Cd Recording ◽  
Inconsistent Condom Use

Background: To assess prevalence of condom-associated erection loss and to identify correlates of erection loss among men attending a sexually transmissible infections (STI) clinic. Methods: Men (n = 278) attending an STI clinic responded to an anonymous questionnaire aided by a CD recording of the questions. The sample was screened to include only men who had used a condom during penile–vaginal sex at least three times in the past 3 months. Erection loss was assessed for ‘the last three times a condom was used’. Results: The mean age of the participants was 23.7 years (s.d. = 4.1); 37.1% of the men reported condom-associated erection loss on at least one occasion. Men who had reported condom-associated erection loss were also reported having more frequent unprotected vaginal sex (P = 0.04) and were less likely to use condoms consistently (P = 0.014) than men without erection loss. Men with erection loss were also more likely to remove condoms before sex was over (P = 0.001). Age and race/ethnicity were not associated with erection loss. In multivariate analysis, three significant statistical predictors were identified: low self-efficacy to use condoms (P = 0.001); problems with ‘fit or feel’ of condoms (P = 0.005); and having more than three sex partners during the previous 3 months (P = 0.02). Conclusions: Condom-associated erection loss may be common among men at risk for STIs. This problem may lead to incomplete or inconsistent condom use. Men may be more likely to experience condom-associated erection loss if they lack confidence to use condoms correctly, if they experience problems with the way condoms fit or feel, and if they have sex with multiple partners.

scholarly journals Sexual risk-taking in the general population of Sweden (1989 - 2007)

Sexual Health ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 272 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claes Herlitz
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Sexual Intercourse ◽  
Sexual Behaviour ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Sexual Risk Taking ◽  
Total N ◽  
Age Cohorts ◽  
Stable Relationship ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections

Background: The aim of the study was to assess changes in sexual attitudes and sexual behaviour related to HIV/sexually transmissible infections (STI) during a long period of intensive efforts by the Swedish authorities to curb the spread of HIV. Methods: We conducted mailed questionnaire surveys in random samples of the Swedish general population in 1989, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003 and 2007 (total n = 16773). Each sample consisted of some 4000–6000 participants aged 16–44 years, stratified by age: 16–17, 18–19, 20–24, 25–34 and 35–44 years. The overall participation rate was 61.6% (for men, 53.5%; for women, 69.9%). Results: Between 1989 and 1994, the proportion of participants holding a restrictive view on sexual intercourse outside a stable relationship decreased significantly. The surveys since 1994 do not show any change in that respect. The prevalence of several sexual partners increased significantly throughout the period of study. The prevalence of casual sexual intercourse without the use of a condom also increased significantly from 1989 until 2003, but decreased slightly between 2003 and 2007. This change in sexual behaviour was more prominent in women than among men. The prevalence of several sexual partners and casual sexual intercourse without the use of a condom was significantly higher for the younger than for the older age cohorts. Conclusions: The study demonstrates the need for a continuous preventive campaign against HIV/STI in the general population in Sweden, particularly among young people.

HIV testing and ethnicity among adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24 years in Ghana: what really matters?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Ucheoma Nwaozuru ◽  
Thembekile Shato ◽  
Chisom Obiezu-Umeh ◽  
Florida Uzoaru ◽  
Stacey Mason ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Multiple Sexual Partners ◽  
Socioeconomic Determinants ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Despite the high prevalence of HIV among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 15–24 years in Ghana, HIV testing remains low among this population. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between ethnicity and HIV testing among AGYW in Ghana. The 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey data were used and analyses were restricted to 3325 female participants aged 15–24 years. Chi-squared tests and a logistic regression model were used to assess the association between ethnicity and HIV testing. Furthermore, the PEN-3 cultural model informed the conceptual framework that explained the relationship between ethnicity and HIV testing behaviour. Results from the bivariate analysis showed an association between ethnicity and HIV testing among AGYW (p<0.05). However, when controlling for other behavioural and socioeconomic determinants of HIV testing in the logistic regression, there was no association between ethnicity and HIV testing. The significant predictors of HIV testing were marital status, having multiple sexual partners, and condom use. The AGYW who were married (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 4.56, CI: 3.46–6.08) or previously married (aOR = 4.30, CI: 2.00–9.23) were more likely to test for HIV compared with those who were never married. Having multiple sexual partners (aOR = 0.41, CI: 0.20–0.85) and condom use (aOR = 0.56, CI: 0.38–0.84) were associated with lower odds of HIV testing. The results provide evidence that ethnicity is not associated with HIV testing among AGYW in Ghana, as the bivariate association was attenuated when other behavioural and socioeconomic determinants of HIV testing were accounted for. These findings highlight the importance of considering individual-level factors, community-level factors, and other socio-cultural factors as they really matter in the development of HIV prevention programmes for adolescent girls and young women in Ghana.

Corrigendum to: Heterosexual experience and recent heterosexual encounters among Australian adults: The Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Rissel ◽  
Paul B. Badcock ◽  
Anthony M. A. Smith ◽  
Juliet Richters ◽  
Richard O. de Visser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Representative Sample ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Oral Sex ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Multiple Partners ◽  
Lifetime Experience ◽  
Lifetime Number

Background Current information about numbers of other-sex partners, experiences of different heterosexual behaviours and the recent heterosexual experiences among a representative sample of Australian adults is needed. It is not known whether these practices have changed between 2001–02 and 2012–13. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a representative sample of 9963 men and 10 131 women aged 16–69 years from all states and territories. The overall participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Results: Men reported more sexual partners than women, although the lifetime number of heterosexual partners reported by women increased significantly between 2001–02 and 2012–13. In 2012–13, 14.7% of men and 8.6% of women reported two or more sexual partners in the last year. Reporting multiple partners was significantly associated with being younger, being bisexual, living in major cities, having a lower income, having a blue-collar occupation and not being married. The proportion of respondents reporting ever having had oral sex or anal intercourse increased significantly since the last survey. At the last heterosexual encounter, 91.9% of men and 66.2% of women had an orgasm, oral sex was reported in only approximately one in four encounters and anal intercourse was uncommon. Conclusion: There were increases between 2001–02 and 2012–13 in partner numbers among women and in the lifetime experience of oral and anal sex. The patterns of heterosexual experience in Australia are similar to those found in studies of representative samples in other countries.

Knowledge about and experience of sexually transmissible infections in a representative sample of adults: the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew E. Grulich ◽  
Richard O. de Visser ◽  
Paul B. Badcock ◽  
Anthony M. A. Smith ◽  
Juliet Richters ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Education ◽  
Representative Sample ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Public Health Burden ◽  
Sti Testing ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
History Of

Background Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) present a substantial public health burden, and are related to modifiable sexual behaviours. Methods: Computer-assisted telephone interviews were completed by a population-representative sample of 20 094 men and women aged 16–69 years. The overall participation rate among eligible people was 66.2%. Respondents were asked questions regarding their knowledge about, self-reported history of, and testing for STIs. Results: STI knowledge was better in women, the young, people of higher socioeconomic status, those with a variety of indicators of being at high STI risk and those with a history of receiving sex education in school. Approximately one in six men and women reported a lifetime history of an STI. A history of STI testing in the last year was reported by ~one in six (17%) women and one in eight men (13%) and higher rates of testing in women were reported in most high-risk groups. The highest rates of STI testing (61%) and HIV testing (89%) were reported in homosexual men. Conclusion: Knowledge of STI-related health consequences and transmission is improving in Australians, and rates of STI testing were relatively high but were higher in women than in men. Further increases in testing rates in both sexes will be required to facilitate the early diagnosis and treatment of STIs, which is a cornerstone of STI control.

Factors associated with declining to report the number of sexual partners using computer-assisted self-interviewing: a cross-sectional study among individuals attending a sexual health centre in Melbourne, Australia

Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric P. F. Chow ◽  
John B. Carlin ◽  
Tim R. H. Read ◽  
Marcus Y. Chen ◽  
Catriona S. Bradshaw ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Number Of Sexual Partners

Background The number of sexual partners is one of the most important risk factors for sexually transmissible infections (STIs), including HIV. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between declining to report the number of partners using computer-assisted self-interviewing (CASI) and HIV or STI positivity at a public sexual health centre in Melbourne, Australia, in 2016. Methods: Individuals were categorised into three risk populations: women, men who have sex with women only (MSW) and men who have sex with men (MSM). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between declining to report the number of sexual partners in the past 12 months and HIV or STI positivity for women and MSW, with generalised estimating equations (GEE) used for estimation in MSM to address repeated-measures within individuals. Results: In all, 18085 individuals (5579 women, 6013 MSW, 6493 MSM) were included in the final analysis. There was no association between chlamydia positivity and declining to respond among women and MSW. MSM who declined to respond were more likely to be chlamydia positive (adjusted odds ratio1.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.43). Known HIV-positive MSM and MSM newly diagnosed with HIV had 3.31-fold (95% CI 2.48–4.42) and 2.82-fold (95% CI 1.84–4.32) greater odds respectively of declining to respond compared with HIV-negative MSM. Gonorrhoea and syphilis positivity in MSM were not associated with declining to respond. Conclusions: There was no association between declining to report the number of partners and chlamydia positivity among women and MSW. However, MSM who declined to report the number of partners were slightly more likely to have chlamydia and substantially more likely to be HIV positive.

Determinants of high-risk sexual behaviour and condom use among adults in the Arusha region, Tanzania

1997 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 176-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kagoma S. Mnyika ◽  
Knut-Inge Klepp ◽  
Gunnar Kvale ◽  
Naphtal Ole-King'Ori
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Sexual Debut ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Early Sexual Debut ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Multiple Sexual Partners ◽  
Arusha Region

Summary: Determinants of multiple sexual partners and condom use among adults were assessed through a population-based survey in one urban, one semi-urban and one rural community in the Arusha region, northern Tanzania. The study samples were obtained by randomly selecting clusters of 10 households from the 3 communities. Informed verbal consent was sought from each respondent for participation in the study. High-risk sexual behaviours and condom use were assessed using a structured questionnaire. It was observed that significantly more men than women reported having multiple sexual partners (49% vs 25.2%; OR=1.69; 95% CI=1.51-1.90) and urban men were significantly more likely to report having multiple sexual partners than men in rural areas. In both men and women, early sexual debut was associated with having multiple sexual partners while travel, alcohol use, and sex under the influence of alcohol were significantly associated with multiple sexual partners in men only. AIDS-related discussion was significantly associated with having fewer sexual partners in both men and women. Of the 1551 respondents, 320 (20.6%) reported having ever used a condom and of the 320 respondents who had ever used a condom, 34 (10.6%) reported having used it at the last sexual intercourse. Significantly more men than women reported having ever used a condom (34.1% vs 14.1%; OR=1.77; 95% CI=1.56-2.01). In both men and women, early sexual debut and being young, unmarried, travelling out of the Arusha region and having multiple sexual partners were associated with increased condom use. For both men and women, frequent discussion of AIDS with family members or friends was associated with increased condom use. These data suggest that interventions targeting adolescents and young adults may be effective for control of HIV transmission in Tanzania. In particular, creation of opportunities for people to come together and discuss AIDS might be an important strategy.

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