Leveraging a relationship-based sexual health framework for sexual risk prevention in adolescent men in the United States

Background Studies link sexual health to lower sexual risk in adolescent women, yet no empirical literature evaluates these associations in adolescent men. Methods: Data were drawn from a longitudinal cohort study of sexual relationships and sexual behaviour among adolescent men (n = 72; 14–16 years) in the US. Participants contributed quarterly partner-specific interviews, from which sexual health information and partnered sexual behaviours were drawn. A multidimensional measure of sexual health was constructed and linked to partnered outcomes, including oral–genital, vaginal and anal sex, condom use, partner concurrency and intimate partner violence. Random intercept, mixed-effects linear, ordinal logistic or binary logistic regression were for analyses. Models controlled for participant age, race/ethnicity and relationship length. Results: Adolescent men contributed 651 unique partner-specific interviews. A higher sexual health score with partners was significantly associated with more frequent oral–genital and vaginal sex, as well as higher condom use, lower partner concurrency and lower received and perpetuated intimate partner violence. Conclusion: Positive sexually related experiences in adolescent men contribute to a core of sexual wellbeing, which in turn is linked to lower levels of sexual risk with partners. The present study data support both developmental and public health applications of sexual health, with attention on promoting healthy sexuality as well as risk reduction. Higher sexual health among adolescent men from the US is associated with more frequent condom use, lower partner concurrency and less frequent intimate partner violence. Young men’s exercising the skills associated with healthy sexuality may also reinforce the skills needed to both enjoy sexuality with partners and to avoid adverse sexual outcomes.

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How Intimate Partner Violence and Intersectional Identities Converge to Influence Women’s Sexual Health across Environmental Contexts

Social Work ◽

10.1093/sw/swaa031 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Meredith E Bagwell-Gray ◽

Sarah Jen ◽

Nikolaus Schuetz

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Native American ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Protective Factors ◽

Sexual Risk ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Risk And Protective Factors ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Grand Challenge ◽

Women’S Sexual Health

Abstract In this qualitative study, authors examine women’s sexual risk and protective factors based on their experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) and positioning within society relative to power. This analysis examines sexual risk and protective factors across intersectional identities—including gender, race, socioeconomic conditions, and age—among women survivors of IPV. The sample (N = 28) included women of diverse ages (range = 22–60 years) and races (57 percent White, 14 percent African American, 11 percent Hispanic, 7 percent Native American, 7 percent multiracial, and 4 percent South Asian). Findings demonstrated that IPV experiences differentially affect women’s sexual health according to intersectional identities and across various levels of environmental context by influencing the (in)stability of their lives and their experiences of (dis)empowerment. This analysis offers a nuanced understanding of how social workers can support women in planning for their own sexual health and safety and shows how an intersectional feminist framework enriches our understanding of the grand challenge to “build healthy relationships to end violence.”

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Intimate Partner Violence and Condom Use Among Women: Does the Information–Motivation–Behavioral Skills Model Explain Sexual Risk Behavior?

AIDS and Behavior ◽

10.1007/s10461-011-9949-3 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 1011-1019 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Mona Mittal ◽

Theresa E. Senn ◽

Michael P. Carey

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Condom Use ◽

Risk Behavior ◽

Sexual Risk ◽

Sexual Risk Behavior ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Behavioral Skills

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Intimate Partner Violence, Minority Stress, and Sexual Risk-Taking Among US MSM

Journal of Homosexuality ◽

10.1080/00918369.2014.865450 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 131118115540005 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Catherine Finneran ◽

Rob Stephenson

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Sexual Risk ◽

Risk Taking ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Minority Stress ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Sexual Risk Taking

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Sexual health (excluding reproductive health, intimate partner violence and gender-based violence) and COVID-19: a scoping review

Sexually Transmitted Infections ◽

10.1136/sextrans-2020-054896 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. sextrans-2020-054896

Author(s):

Navin Kumar ◽

Kamila Janmohamed ◽

Kate Nyhan ◽

Laura Forastiere ◽

Wei-Hong Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Health Disparities ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Gender Based Violence ◽

Gender Based ◽

And Gender

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated existing socioeconomic and health disparities, including disparities in sexual health and well-being. While there have been several reviews published on COVID-19 and population health disparities generally—including some with attention to HIV—none has focused on sexual health (ie, STI care, female sexual health, sexual behaviour). We have conducted a scoping review focused on sexual health (excluding reproductive health (RH), intimate partner violence (IPV) and gender-based violence (GBV)) in the COVID-19 era, examining sexual behaviours and sexual health outcomes.MethodsA scoping review, compiling both peer-reviewed and grey literature, focused on sexual health (excluding RH, IPV and GBV) and COVID-19 was conducted on 15 September 2020. Multiple bibliographical databases were searched. Study selection conformed to Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Reviewers’ Manual 2015 Methodology for JBI Scoping Reviews. We only included English-language original studies.ResultsWe found that men who have sex with men may be moving back toward pre-pandemic levels of sexual activity, and that STI and HIV testing rates seem to have decreased. There was minimal focus on outcomes such as the economic impact on sexual health (excluding RH, IPV and GBV) and STI care, especially STI care of marginalised populations. In terms of population groups, there was limited focus on sex workers or on women, especially women’s sexual behaviour and mental health. We noticed limited use of qualitative techniques. Very few studies were in low/middle-income countries (LMICs).ConclusionsSexual health research is critical during a global infectious disease pandemic and our review of studies suggested notable research gaps. Researchers can focus efforts on LMICs and under-researched topics within sexual health and explore the use of qualitative techniques and interventions where appropriate.

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Women’s Healing Journey From Intimate Partner Violence: Establishing Positive Sexuality

Qualitative Health Research ◽

10.1177/1049732318804302 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 779-795 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Meredith E. Bagwell-Gray

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Healing Process ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

Process Data ◽

Transmitted Infection ◽

Wide Range ◽

Women's Healing

Survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) have an elevated risk for negative sexual health outcomes, including HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI). Given the unique risk contexts for survivors, there is a need for effective sexual health interventions that take into account the imbalances of power for women who are survivors of IPV. Toward the aim of informing contextually relevant intervention approaches, this article describes women’s strategies toward maintaining their sexual health in the context of violent, controlling relationships. Strategies are examined across women’s healing process. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-person interviews with women who had experienced IPV ( N = 28). Participants had a wide range of negative sexual health outcomes and commonly used an analogy of a journey to describe their healing. Throughout these journeys, women gained more confidence and ownership over their sexuality. Themes centered around enhanced self-acceptance, ownership of personal sexuality, and readiness for desirable sexual partnerships.

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Associations between intimate partner violence and married women’s condom and other contraceptive use in rural India

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh17090 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (5) ◽

pp. 381 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anindita Dasgupta ◽

Niranjan Saggurti ◽

Mohan Ghule ◽

Elizabeth Reed ◽

Balaiah Donta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intimate Partner Violence ◽

Condom Use ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Contraceptive Use ◽

Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽

Intrauterine Device ◽

Married Couples ◽

Intimate Partner ◽

The Past ◽

Contraception Use

Background The existing literature on the intersection between women’s reports of spousal intimate partner violence (IPV) and contraceptive use in South Asia is conflicted. Results vary based on method of contraception use and form of violence (physical or sexual), and few examine the relationship between IPV and various methods of modern spacing contraceptive (MSC) use. This study examines associations between IPV and MSC use among a sample of married, not-currently pregnant couples in rural Maharashtra, India (n = 861). Methods: Multinomial logistic regression models assessed wives’ physical and sexual IPV victimisation (for the past 6-months) in relation to the wives’ past 3-month MSC use (categorised as condom use, other MSCs [oral pills, Intrauterine device (IUD)] and no MSCs). Results: In terms of violence, 9% (n = 78) and 4% (n = 34) of wives reported recent physical and sexual IPV victimisation, respectively. The majority (72%; n = 621) did not use any MSC method in the past 3 months; 14% (n = 119) reported recent condom use, and the same proportion reported other MSC use. Recent physical IPV was associated with increased likelihood of recent condom use (AOR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.20, 5.04), and recent sexual IPV was associated with increased likelihood of recent use of other MSC (AOR: 3.27, 95% CI: 1.24, 8.56). Conclusions: These findings reinforce the need for integration of counselling around IPV prevention and intervention programming into existing family planning services targeting married couples in rural Maharashtra, India.

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