Gender-specific patterns of multiple concurrent sexual partnerships: a national cross sectional survey in Botswana

Concurrent sexual partnerships allow for enhanced transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condom use dynamics in this context may be an important factor for transmission of HIV. We conducted a cross-sectional study to describe the frequency of concurrency among high-risk heterosexual women in Houston, Texas and determine the factors associated with condom use. A total of 553 participants were recruited using respondent-driven sampling and completed an anonymous questionnaire; 256 (49%) were identified as having a concurrent partnership. The prevalence of condom use at last sexual encounter was 26%. Women were significantly more likely to use condoms if their sexual encounter was with a casual partner and if alcohol and/or drugs were not used. The high prevalence of concurrent partnerships suggests the presence of a dense sexual network which may enable the rapid spread of STIs and HIV. The risk of transmission may be additionally increased due to the low prevalence of condom use.

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Characterizing Participation and Perceived Engagement Benefits in an Integrated Digital Behavioral Health Recovery Community for Women: A Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.13352 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Brenda Curtis ◽

Brandon Bergman ◽

Austin Brown ◽

Jessica McDaniel ◽

Kristen Harper ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Substance Use ◽

Behavioral Health ◽

Average Length ◽

Mutual Aid ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Effective Manner ◽

Behavioral Health Disorders ◽

Health Disorders ◽

Gender Specific

BACKGROUND Research suggests that digital recovery support services (D-RSSs) may help support individual recovery and augment the availability of in-person supports. Previous studies highlight the use of D-RSSs in supporting individuals in recovery from substance use but have yet to examine the use of D-RSSs in supporting a combination of behavioral health disorders, including substance use, mental health, and trauma. Similarly, few studies on D-RSSs have evaluated gender-specific supports or integrated communities, which may be helpful to women and individuals recovering from behavioral health disorders. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to evaluate the SHE RECOVERS (SR) recovery community, with the following 3 aims: (1) to characterize the women who engage in SR (including demographics and recovery-related characteristics), (2) describe the ways and frequency in which participants engage with SR, and (3) examine the perception of benefit derived from engagement with SR. METHODS This study used a cross-sectional survey to examine the characteristics of SR participants. Analysis of variance and chi-square tests, as well as univariate logistic regressions, were used to explore each aim. RESULTS Participants (N=729, mean age 46.83 years; 685/729, 94% Caucasian) reported being in recovery from a variety of conditions, although the most frequent nonexclusive disorder was substance use (86.40%, n=630). Participants had an average length in recovery (LIR) of 6.14 years (SD 7.87), with most having between 1 and 5 years (n=300). The most frequently reported recovery pathway was abstinence-based 12-step mutual aid (38.40%). Participants reported positive perceptions of benefit from SR participation, which did not vary by LIR or recovery pathway. Participants also had high rates of agreement, with SR having a positive impact on their lives, although this too did vary by recovery length and recovery pathway. Participants with 1 to 5 years of recovery used SR to connect with other women in recovery at higher rates, whereas those with less than 1 year used SR to ask for resources at higher rates, and those with 5 or more years used SR to provide support at higher rates. Lifetime engagement with specific supports of SR was also associated with LIR and recovery pathway. CONCLUSIONS Gender-specific and integrated D-RSSs are feasible and beneficial from the perspective of participants. D-RSSs also appear to provide support to a range of recovery typologies and pathways in an effective manner and may be a vital tool for expanding recovery supports for those lacking in access and availability because of geography, social determinants, or other barriers.

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The association between sexual orientation and screening of prevalent gender-specific cancers.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2021.39.6_suppl.198 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 39 (6_suppl) ◽

pp. 198-198

Author(s):

Michael Joseph Herriges ◽

Ruben Pinkhasov ◽

Keren Lehavot ◽

Oleg Shapiro ◽

Joseph M Jacob ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Sexual Orientation ◽

Cancer Screening ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Men And Women ◽

Multivariable Logistic Regression ◽

Gender Specific ◽

Screening And Diagnosis

198 Background: Data on heterogeneity in cancer screening and diagnosis rates among sexual minorities (SMs) is lacking. Recent studies have shown SMs are more likely to engage in risky health behavior and have decreased healthcare utilization. However, few studies have examined how sexual orientation impacts cancer screening and prevalence. We therefore investigated whether sexual orientation affects prevalent gender-specific cancer including prostate (PCa), breast (BC), and cervical cancer (CC). Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey-based US study, including men and women aged 18+ from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) database (part of the National Cancer Institute’s division of cancer control and population sciences) between 2017-2019. The primary endpoint was individual-reported PCa, BC, and CC screening and prevalence rates among heterosexuals and homosexuals/bisexuals. Multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed association of various covariates with undergoing screening and diagnosis of these cancers. Results: Overall, 4,441 and 6,333 heterosexual men and women, respectively, were compared to 225 and 213 homosexual/bisexual men and women, respectively. Homosexuals/bisexuals were younger and less likely to be screened for PCa (34.7% vs 41.3%, p=0.013), BC (54.5% vs 80.7%, p=<0.001), and CC (88.3% vs 95.4%, p=<0.001). While rates of PCa and BC diagnosis were similar, more than twice as many homosexual/bisexual women were diagnosed with CC (4.2% vs 1.9%, p=0.023). Multivariable logistic regression models (Table) showed homosexuals/bisexuals were less likely to be screened for cancer with ORs of 0.61 (95% CI 0.39-0.95) for PCa, 0.52 (95% CI 0.30-0.92) for BC, and 0.21 (95% CI 0.09-0.46) for CC. Homosexuals/bisexuals were more likely to be diagnosed with any cancer with ORs of 1.64 (95% CI 1.06-2.54) in women only and 1.50 (95% CI 1.11-2.03) in men and women combined. Conclusions: Homosexuals/bisexuals in the US may be less likely to undergo screening of gender-specific prevalent malignancies, including PCa, BC, and CC. The implementation of cancer screening among SMs should be improved. [Table: see text]

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Adolescent Sexting: The Roles of Self-Objectification and Internalization of Media Ideals

Psychology of Women Quarterly ◽

10.1177/0361684318809383 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 43 (1) ◽

pp. 88-104 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ashton Gerding Speno ◽

Jennifer Stevens Aubrey

Keyword(s):

Path Model ◽

Mediation Effect ◽

Female Adolescents ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Male Adolescents ◽

Situational Cues ◽

Serial Mediation ◽

Self Objectification ◽

Gender Specific

We examined adolescent sexting using objectification theory as a framework. We hypothesized that sexting is a manifestation of trait self-objectification and the internalization of gender-specific media ideals about attractiveness. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 201 Midwestern adolescents, 14–17 years old. We tested a three-stage path model, which differed for female and male adolescents. For female adolescents, self-objectification was positively associated with favorable attitudes about sexting, which further predicted two types of intentions to engage in sexting: sexting when there is trust in the sexting partner (security-based intentions) and sexting that is spurred by situational cues. Although there was a serial mediation effect of self-objectification on sexting behaviors through sexting attitudes and total sexting intentions, only the indirect effect of sexting attitudes on behaviors through security-based intentions was individually significant. For male adolescents, internalization of media ideals was positively associated with sexting attitudes, which further predicted the two types of sexting intentions. Similar to female adolescents, there was a serial mediation effect of internalization of media ideals on sexting behaviors through sexting attitudes and total sexting intentions; however, only security-based sexting intentions predicted sexting behaviors. Our results have implications regarding how to conceptualize adolescent sexting and how researchers, parents, and educators may help teenage youth to establish healthy sexting attitudes and behaviors. Additional online materials for this article are available to PWQ subscribers on PWQ’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/0361684318809383

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Gender-specific temporal trends in overweight prevalence among Chinese adults: a hierarchical age-period-cohort analysis from 2008 to 2015

Global Health Research and Policy ◽

10.1186/s41256-020-00169-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yinmei Yang ◽

Mohammedhamid Osman Kelifa ◽

Bin Yu ◽

Carly Herbert ◽

Yongbo Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cohort Analysis ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

General Social Survey ◽

Cohort Effects ◽

Chinese Adults ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Gender Specific ◽

Overweight Prevalence ◽

Age And Cohort Effects

Abstract Background As a key health risk, the prevalence of overweight has been strikingly increasing worldwide. This study aimed to disentangle the net age, period, and cohort effects on overweight among Chinese adults by gender. Methods Data came from the Chinese General Social Survey from 2008 to 2015, which was a repeated cross-sectional survey (n = 55,726, aged 18 and older). χ2 or t tests were used to estimate the gender disparities in overweight and socioeconomic status (SES). A series of hierarchical age-period-cohort cross-classified random-effects models were performed using SAS version 9.4 to estimate the overall and gender-specific temporal trends of overweight, as well as the association between SES and overweight. Further, a series of line charts were used to present the age and cohort variations in overweight. Results After controlling for covariates, significant age and cohort effects were observed among adults in China (b = 0.0205, p < 0.001; b = 0.0122, p < 0.05; respectively). Specifically, inverted U-shaped age effects were identified for both genders, with a high probability of overweight occurring in middle age (b = –0.0012, p < 0.001). Overweight was more prevalent among men than women before 60 years old, and this trend reversed thereafter (b = –0.0253, p < 0.001). Moreover, men born during the war (before 1950) and reform cohorts (after the 1975s) demonstrated a substantial decline in overweight, while men born in 1950–1975 showed an increasing trend in overweight prevalence (b = 0.0378, p < 0.05). However, the cohort effect on women was not statistically significant. Additionally, a higher SES was related to an elevated probability of overweight. Conclusion Gender-specific age and cohort effects on the prevalence of overweight were observed among Chinese adults. Both China and other developing countries need to pay attention to the coming obesity challenge and related health inequality. Full life-cycle overweight prevention interventions should focus on middle-aged adults, men born in the war and reform eras, and adults with a higher SES.

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HIV infection and sexual partnerships and behaviour among adolescent girls in Nairobi, Kenya

International Journal of STD & AIDS ◽

10.1258/ijsa.2012.011361 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 23 (7) ◽

pp. 468-474 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

A F Rositch ◽

P Cherutich ◽

P Brentlinger ◽

J N Kiarie ◽

R Nduati ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hiv Infection ◽

Hiv Testing ◽

Adolescent Girls ◽

Sexual Debut ◽

Sexual Relationships ◽

Sexual History ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexual Partnerships

Early sexual partnerships place young women in sub-Saharan Africa at high risk for HIV. Few studies have examined both individual- and partnership-level characteristics of sexual relationships among adolescent girls. A cross-sectional survey of sexual history and partnerships was conducted among 761 adolescent girls aged 15–19 years in Nairobi, Kenya. Rapid HIV testing was conducted and correlates of HIV infection were determined using multivariate logistic regression. The HIV prevalence was 7% and seropositive adolescents had a younger age at sexual debut ( P < 0.01), more sexual partners in 12 months ( P = 0.03), and were more likely to report transactional or non-consensual sex( P < 0.01). Girls who reported not knowing their partner's HIV status were 14 times as likely to be HIV-seropositive than girls who knew their partner's status (adjusted odds ratio: 14.2 [1.8, 109.3]). Public health messages to promote HIV testing and disclosure within partnerships could reduce sexual risk behaviours and HIV transmission among adolescents.

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IMPACT OF HOUSEHOLD COOKING FUELS ON GENDER-SPECIFIC ADULT TUBERCULOSIS AND DIABETES IN INDIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

ISEE Conference Abstracts ◽

10.1289/isee.2013.p-1-25-09 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 (1) ◽

pp. 5443

Author(s):

Harish C. Phuleria ◽

V Chandrasekaran ◽

Soumya Swaminathan ◽

Nicole Probst-Hensch

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cooking Fuels ◽

Gender Specific

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How partnership type and HIV seroconcordance affect HIV transmission risk in regular sexual partnerships: a cross-sectional survey of Australian gay and bisexual men

Sexual Health ◽

10.1071/sh16198 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 14 (6) ◽

pp. 523 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Benjamin R. Bavinton ◽

Andrew E. Grulich ◽

Duane Duncan ◽

Iryna B. Zablotska ◽

Garrett P. Prestage

Keyword(s):

Hiv Transmission ◽

Gay And Bisexual Men ◽

Transmission Risk ◽

Bisexual Men ◽

Committed Relationships ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sexual Partnerships ◽

And Bisexual ◽

Hiv Transmission Risk

Background Regular sexual partnerships among gay and bisexual men (GBM) who practice condomless anal intercourse (CLAI) have not been well characterised in terms of partnership type, HIV seroconcordance and risk of HIV transmission. Primarily sexual regular partnerships, although commonly reported by gay men, have largely been ignored in research and HIV prevention. Among regular partners reporting CLAI with each other, we determined factors differentiating romantic or committed relationships from partnerships organised primarily around sex (‘fuckbuddies’) and estimated the proportion of CLAI presenting risk for HIV transmission. Methods: An online, cross-sectional survey of Australian GBM was conducted. Univariate and multivariate generalised estimating equations were used to determine statistical associations. Results: Men reported on 2250 regular sexual partnerships. Over half the partnerships were romantic or committed relationships. Over half the partnerships were HIV-negative seroconcordant (54.9%), 3.1% were HIV-positive seroconcordant, 5.2% were serodiscordant and 36.8% were of unknown seroconcordance. Potential risks presented by CLAI were sometimes mitigated by protective factors, such as having a clear spoken agreement about sex with outside partners, having fewer outside partners, openly discussing HIV risk and having an agreement to reduce risk from outside partners. These protective factors were more often found in romantic or committed relationships than among primarily sexual partnerships, and were less often found in partnerships of unknown seroconcordance. Conclusion: CLAI is more common among regular sexual partnerships considered to be of a romantic, committed nature. However, factors associated with such romantic or committed partnerships can also protect against HIV transmission risk. Unknown seroconcordance, particularly lack of communication about HIV status among primarily sexual partnerships, is a key risk factor that needs to be addressed by HIV education.

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Prevalence and Anthropometric Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Taiwanese Adolescents

ISRN Cardiology ◽

10.5402/2011/743640 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nain-Feng Chu ◽

Hsien-Chuan Chin ◽

Shu-Chuan Wang

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Normal Subjects ◽

Central Adiposity ◽

Young Adolescents ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Representative Sampling ◽

Anthropometric Indexes ◽

And Gender ◽

Gender Specific

Background. To evaluate the prevalence and the importance of anthropometric indexes on metabolic syndrome (MetS) among young adolescents in Taiwan. Methods. We conducted a cross sectional survey to obtain a representative sampling among Taipei adolescents in 2003, totally enrolled of 1,562 adolescents (764 boys and 798 girls) from age 11 to 15. We used modified NCEP-ATP III criteria to diagnose metabolic syndrome in young adolescents including: blood pressure ≧90th percentile, fasting glucose ≧90th, TG ≧ 90th, HDL-C ≦ 10th, and BMI or WC ≧ 90th according to age and gender specific recommendations. Results. The overall prevalence of MetS was 4.8% for boys and 3.9% for girls. BMI and WC were significantly associated with MetS for both boys and girls, even after adjusting for age, cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking and pubertal status. However, after further adjusting for BMI or WC, WC for boys (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.05–1.24) and BMI for girls (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.13–1.64) were significantly associated with MetS. Conclusions. Adolescents with abnormal BMI or waist circumference had 10 to 20 times higher odds of MetS when compared to normal subjects. Obesity, either general or central adiposity, may play an important role in the development of MetS among adolescents.

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