Co-locating art and health: engaging civil society to create an enabling environment to respond to HIV in Indonesia

Background This paper will report on the successful co-location of a community-based arts and sexual health project that aimed to engage, educate and create testing, treatment and care pathways at a co-located mobile sexual health clinic and community-controlled art gallery in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Methods: Mixed methods were used to evaluate the project, including a visitor (n = 1181) and artist (n = 85) log book, a convenience audience survey (n = 231), and qualitative semi-structured interviews (n = 13) with artists and audience to explore the effect of arts-based activities on access to sexual health information and services, and stigma and discrimination. Results: In total, 85 artists curated five separate exhibitions that were attended by 1181 people, of which 62% were aged ≤24 years. Gallery attendance improved awareness and participatory and interactive engagement with sexual health information through a medium described as interesting, fun, cool, and unique. The co-located clinic facilitated informal pathways to sexual health services, including HIV/AIDS testing, treatment, and care. Importantly, the project created shared understandings and empathy that challenged stereotypes and myths, reducing stigmatising beliefs and practices. Conclusions: Arts-based programs are transformative and can be effectively implemented, replicated and scaled up in low-resource settings to create awareness and initiate for HIV prevention, testing, treatment, and care. Art-based health programs engages people in their communities, mobilises civil society, builds enabling environments to reduce stigma and discrimination and improves access to testing and prevention; essential features needed to end AIDS in Indonesia (and the Southeast Asia region) while improving the lives of those most vulnerable to infection.

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Boundaries of sexual communication: a mixed-method study exploring Chinese young adults’ engagement with online sexual health information

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh16009 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 281 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jingwen Zhang ◽

Chloe Nurik ◽

John B. Jemmott

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Health Information ◽

Mixed Method ◽

Family Income ◽

Sexual Communication ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexual Health Information ◽

Chinese Young Adults

Background: Although previous research suggests that a majority of Chinese young adults get sexual health information through the Internet, the details of this process and how it translates into subsequent actions are unknown. This study aims to understand the dynamic nature of Chinese young adults’ engagement with online sexual health information (OSHI) through various communication channels to inform the development of effective sexual health intervention strategies. Methods: A mixed-method approach was used, involving individual semi-structured interviews (n = 30) and cross-sectional online surveys (n = 561) with Chinese young adults aged 18 to 25 years. Qualitative themes and prevalence and predictors of engagement with OSHI were analysed. Results: Three themes emerged from the interviews: (1) problem-based searching; (2) multi-criteria evaluation; and (3) stigma of online sharing and discussion. After engaging with OSHI, 87.3% of the survey participants followed online advice on at least one occasion, and 54.9% discussed this information with others (mostly with partners and friends) offline. Having sexual intercourse in the past 3 months was a consistent predictor of engagement with OSHI (P < 0.05). Contrary to previous findings, participants with higher family income were more likely to engage with OSHI (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Chinese young adults obtain sexual health information from online sources when personal problems arise and then circulate this information offline within their peer networks. Although social media interventions have shown some promise, researchers should first increase risk awareness and be cautious about designing programs that promote online sharing or discussion. Finally, researchers need to make extra effort to target young adults with limited resources.

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Dr Google, porn and friend-of-a-friend: where are young men really getting their sexual health information?

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh15055 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 12 (6) ◽

pp. 488 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Amy Litras ◽

Sarah Latreille ◽

Meredith Temple-Smith

Keyword(s):

Health Education ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Health Information ◽

Young Men ◽

Innovative Technology ◽

Sexual Health Education ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Sexual Health Information ◽

School Based ◽

Sexually Transmissible Infections

Background Young men are vulnerable when it comes to sexual health. They attend the general practitioner (GP) less often than females and are less likely to be offered testing for sexually transmissible infections. Access to accurate health information and education is a cornerstone of primary prevention, yet we know very little about how, where and why young people obtain information about sexual health. Methods: One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with 35 male students aged 16–19 years from two Victorian educational institutions for trade skills until data saturation was reached. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed. Results: The young men were poorly informed about sexual health. Their existing knowledge mainly came from school-based sexual health education, which while valued, was generally poorly recalled and provided only a narrow scope of physiological information. Young men seek sexual health information from various sources including family, the Internet, friends and pornography, with information from the latter three sources perceived as unreliable. GPs were seen as a source of trust-worthy information but were not accessed for this purpose due to embarrassment. Young men preferred the GP to initiate such conversations. A desire for privacy and avoidance of embarrassment heavily influenced young men’s preferences and behaviours in relation to sexual health information seeking. Conclusions: The current available sources of sexual health information for young men are failing to meet their needs. Results identify potential improvements to school-based sexual education and online resources, and describe a need for innovative technology-based sources of sexual health education.

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The “Be All and End All”? Young People, Online Sexual Health Information, Science and Skepticism

Qualitative Health Research ◽

10.1177/10497323211003543 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104973232110035

Author(s):

Adrian Farrugia ◽

Andrea Waling ◽

Kiran Pienaar ◽

Suzanne Fraser

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Health Information ◽

Information Science ◽

Medical Information ◽

Health Resources ◽

Sexual Practices ◽

Sexual Health Information ◽

Science Society ◽

Online Sources

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.

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Sexual health information seeking behaviour of adolescents and their satisfaction with the information outcome: An application of the theory of motivated information management

The Journal of Academic Librarianship ◽

10.1016/j.acalib.2021.102383 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 47 (5) ◽

pp. 102383

Author(s):

Chaminda Chiran Jayasundara

Keyword(s):

Sexual Health ◽

Health Information ◽

Information Management ◽

Information Seeking ◽

Health Information Seeking ◽

Sexual Health Information ◽

Information Seeking Behaviour

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Sexual Experiences and Perspectives of Adolescents and Young Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Journal of Adolescent Research ◽

10.1177/07435584211028225 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 074355842110282

Author(s):

Elizabeth K. Schmidt ◽

Megan Dougherty ◽

Natalie Robek ◽

Lindy Weaver ◽

Amy R. Darragh

Keyword(s):

Young Adults ◽

Developmental Disabilities ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Health Information ◽

Sexual Education ◽

Adolescents And Young Adults ◽

Comparative Approach ◽

Sexual Experiences ◽

Diverse Range ◽

Sexual Health Information

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.

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‘Most young men think you have to be naked in front of the GP’: a qualitative study of male university students’ views on barriers to sexual health

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh15217 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 124 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Cameron Ewert ◽

Archibald Collyer ◽

Meredith Temple-Smith

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

General Practice ◽

Sexual Health ◽

University Students ◽

Health Information ◽

Young Men ◽

Sexual Health Education ◽

Sexual Health Care ◽

Sexual Health Information ◽

Male University Students

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.

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