scholarly journals How perceived Australian sexual norms shape sexual practices of East Asian and sub-Saharan African international students in Sydney

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvester R. Okeke
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Home Country ◽  
Sexual Communication ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Sexual Norms ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Introduction Sexual norms, real or perceived, shape young people’s sexual behaviour and may constitute one of the greatest challenges in HIV/STIs prevention among this population. This study used sexual script theory to explore how international students in Sydney, Australia – from traditional cultures of East Asian and sub-Saharan African countries – construct home backgrounds and Australian sexual norms and how this may shape their sexual practices during their studies in Australia. Methods The study involved face-to-face and telephone semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data were provided by 20 international students who are enrolled in various universities in Sydney. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded into NVivo and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Identified patterns in the data showed three themes through which participants perceive sexual norms in Australia as distinctly different from their home country norms. First, participants stated that unlike their home country norms, sexual norms in Australia are permissive. Second, participants hold the view that compared to their home country norms, sex in Australia is largely casual as it is not always attached to love. Some participants revealed that this could shape their own sexual practices during their studies in Australia. Finally, participants noted that compared to their home countries’ norm of sex talk taboo, Australia has an open sexual communication norm; which they believe, enables young people in western societies to easily acquire sexual health information. Conclusions Findings provide evidence to support a need for contextualized and effective sexual health services for international students that take account of perceptions around sexual norms and how they can be modified to ensure that sexual practices which these students may engage in, will be managed in a safe and responsible manner.

scholarly journals “I always prefer to withdraw than use a condom”: contextualising condomless sex among East Asian and sub-Saharan African international students in Sydney

2022 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvester R. Okeke
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Consistent Condom ◽  
Condomless Sex ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Incidence and prevalence of blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections among young people continue to necessitate population-based studies to understand how contextualised sexual health services can be developed and implemented to promote protective behaviours such as consistent condom use. This study examined condomless sexual practice among a sample of East Asian and sub-Saharan African international university students in Sydney, Australia. Methods This qualitative study was methodologically guided by interpretative phenomenological analysis. Data was provided by 20 international students sampled from five universities in Sydney, who participated in either face-to-face or telephone semi-structured in-depth interviews. The interview sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded in NVivo and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Condomless sexual practices appear to be common among the study group based on participants’ self-reports of their own practices and the practices of friends and peers. Three themes contextualising condomless among the study participants were generated from the interview transcripts: (1) unanticipated sex, condom related stigma and alcohol use (2) pleasure-seeking, curiosity and intimacy (3) condomless sex as a gendered practice. Conclusions The result of this study has implications for public health research, practice and policy around design, implementation and evaluation of multi-layered and population-specific sexual health services that are tailored to addressing the needs of international students, who  migrate from traditional sexual cultures to Australia, where sexual norms are more liberal.

scholarly journals Implementation and performance of haemovigilance systems in 10 sub-saharan African countries is sub-optimal

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Washington T. Samukange ◽  
Verena Kluempers ◽  
Manvi Porwal ◽  
Linda Mudyiwenyama ◽  
Khamusi Mutoti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Regulatory Processes ◽  
Legal Provisions ◽  
The Status ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Regulations And Guidelines

Abstract Background Haemovigilance is an important element of blood regulation. It includes collecting and evaluating the information on adverse events resulting from the use of blood and blood components with the aim to improve donor and patient safety. We describe the results of the pilot of the integrated GBT+ Blood for the haemovigilance function in 10 sub-Saharan African countries. Methods We piloted the integrated WHO Global Benchmarking Tool plus Blood (GBT+ Blood) to assess the haemovigilance function of national regulatory authorities (NRAs) in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Liberia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Data obtained from documents and face to face interviews were used to determine the status of implementation and performance of the following six indicators; legal provisions regulations and guidelines, organisation and governance, human resources, regulatory processes, transparency and accountability and finally, monitoring progress and assessing impact, by estimating median scores across 20 sub-indicators. In addition, a cluster analysis was performed. Results The countries showed inter-organisation variability in implementation and performance of the haemovigilance function. The overall median score (all sub-indicators) was 44 % (range: 7.5 % - 70 %). The lowest average performance scores were for the arrangement for effective organisation and coordination (35 %) and human resources (35 %) indicators. The highest average scores were observed for the mechanism to promote transparency and mechanism to monitor regulatory performance indicators (50 % and 60 %, respectively). We identified clusters of best-implemented sub-indicators from the procedures for haemovigilance and poorly implemented sub-indicators from the legal provisions, regulations and guidelines for haemovigilance and human resources. Conclusions Implementation of sub-indicators and performance of haemovigilance systems varied greatly for all countries with a few countries performing reasonably well in the implementation of some sub-indicators under procedures for haemovigilance. Most countries were poorly implementing sub-indicators in the legal provisions, arrangement for effective organisation and human resources indicators. The legislative provisions in most countries were at a nascent stage. There is a need to set up targeted and customised technical support coupled with prioritised interventions to strengthen the capacities of NRAs.

Human insecurity and psychological well-being in migrants hosted in a Nigerian transit center: A qualitative exploration on risk and protective factors

2021 ◽  
pp. 002087282110342
Author(s):  
Guido Veronese ◽  
Diego Romaioli ◽  
Rachel Pancake ◽  
Marzia Vigliaroni
Keyword(s):  
Home Country ◽  
Well Being ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Sense Of Security ◽  
Emerging Themes ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Qualitative Exploration ◽  
The Relationship

Our explorative work aimed to qualitatively analyze the factors affecting human security and psychological well-being in a group of migrants temporarily hosted in a Nigerian transit center. The study involved 250 migrants from different Western and sub-Saharan African countries who were interviewed during their stay in International Organization for Migration – supported transit centers. Thematic content analysis was performed on the texts of the interviews. Motivations for departure from the home country, resources available for migrants’ sense of security, expectations for their future, experience in the host country, and the relationship between human insecurity and life satisfaction were the main emerging themes.

scholarly journals Predictors of sexual satisfaction during lockdown by COVID-19 in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 627-646
Author(s):  
Carmen Rodríguez-Domínguez ◽  
Cristina Lafuente-Bacedoni ◽  
María Durán
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Sexual Satisfaction ◽  
Sexual Interest ◽  
Health Interventions ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Impact

This research, which consists of two studies, has the general objective of analyzing the impact of COVID-19 on the sexual health of 347 adults living in Spain. Study 1, focused on non-face-to-face sexual practices (sexting and pornography), revealed similar levels of sexual satisfaction in men and women, but with differences in age regarding interaction with the consumption of pornography and marital status. Study 2 focused on the changes produced with respect to the previous six months, indicating that the maintenance of sexual satisfaction does not depend on gender, but it does depend on age in interaction with face-to-face sex, marital status, and individual sex, in interaction with an adequate functioning of sexual interest. Given the challenge that this pandemic is posing, these results are useful for the mental and sexual health interventions that are currently being developed because of COVID-19.

scholarly journals “I Always Prefer To Withdraw Than Use A Condom”: A Phenomenological Study of Condomless Sexual Practice Among International Students in Sydney

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvester Reuben Okeke
Keyword(s):  
International Students ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Phenomenological Study ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Consistent Condom ◽  
Sexual Practice ◽  
Condomless Sex ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections

Abstract Background: Incidence and prevalence of blood-borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections among young people continue to necessitate population-based studies to understand how contextualised sexual health services can be developed and implemented to promote protective behaviours such as consistent condom use. This study examined condomless sexual practice among a sample of East Asian and sub-Saharan African international university students in Sydney, Australia. Methods: This phenomenological qualitative study involved face-to-face and telephone semi-structured in-depth interviews with 20 international students from various universities in Sydney. The interview sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded using NVivo and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Condomless sexual practices appear to be common among the study group based on participants’ self-reports and social practices of friends and peers. Themes describing contexts where condomless sex occur among the participants are classified into three: (1) unanticipated sex, condom related stigma and alcohol use (2) pleasure-seeking, curiosity and intimacy (3) condomless sex as a gendered practice. Conclusions: The results of this study add to growing evidence for multi-layered and population-specific sexual health services for international students from traditional sexual cultures.

scholarly journals Would you offer contraception to a 14-year-old girl? Perspectives of health students and professionals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorkasi L. Mwakawanga ◽  
Ever Mkonyi ◽  
Stella E. Mushy ◽  
Maria Trent ◽  
Zobeida Bonilla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Planning ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Contraceptive Use ◽  
Health Providers ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Contraceptive Services ◽  
Planning Methods ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Rates of unplanned adolescent pregnancy and unsafe induced abortions are very high in Sub-Saharan African countries including Tanzania. Despite their availability and accessibility, modern family planning methods are reported to be critically underutilized by adolescents. This study is part of a broader study that aims to develop a curriculum that will be used in training health professionals by investigating the sexual health training needs of health providers and students in Tanzania. Aim This study describes the perceptions of health professionals and students on the provision of contraceptives to adolescents. Methods Qualitative formative assessment type of research was conducted using 18 focus groups stratified among health professionals and students (midwives, nurses, and medical doctors). Study participants were presented with the theoretical scenario of a 14-year-old girl who sought contraceptive services at a family planning clinic. This theoretical scenario was used to determine how health professionals and students would handle the case. Thematic analysis guided the examination and determination of data results. Results Three main themes emerged from the data, including (1) knowledge about the provision of contraceptives to adolescents, (2) perception of the adolescents’ right to contraceptive use, and (3) barriers to the provision of contraceptives to adolescents. Participants stated that having a baseline knowledge of contraceptive services for adolescents and their rights to contraceptives would trigger their decision on offering the contraceptive. On the other hand, being unaware of the reproductive health rights for adolescents, judgmental behavior of providers, as well as religious and cultural dynamics were all found to be major barriers for providers to offer contraceptive services to the 14-year-old adolescent girl in the theoretical scenario. Conclusion These findings support the need for comprehensive sexual health education in Tanzanian health professional training programs.

scholarly journals Nutritional Status of Patients with Tuberculosis and Associated Factors in the Health Centre Region of Burkina Faso

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2540
Author(s):  
Beatrice B. Musuenge ◽  
Ghislain G. Poda ◽  
Pei-Chun Chen
Keyword(s):  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Health Centre ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Centre Region ◽  
Sub Saharan

Extreme hunger and poverty remain a significant barrier to maintaining a normal and healthy life, and increase the burden of tuberculosis (TB) in sub-Saharan African countries. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with undernutrition among adult patients with TB in Burkina Faso. In the Health Centre Region of Burkina Faso, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with face-to-face interviews of patients aged 15 years and older with TB (n = 302), from March to April 2019. Undernutrition was defined as a body mass index of <18.5 kg/m2. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the correlates of undernutrition. The prevalence of undernutrition was 35.8%, in which severe, moderate, and mild thinness were 7.7%, 8.9%, and 19.5%, respectively. Low food frequency per day (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.28, confidence interval [CI]: 1.42–7.55, p = 0.005), human immunodeficiency virus infection (aOR = 6.18, CI: 2.26–16.88, p < 0.001), and diabetes mellitus (aOR = 17.52, 95% CI: 1.88–162.97, p = 0.012) and young age (45–54 years vs. 65 years and older, aOR = 2.93, 95% CI: 1.11–7.70, p = 0.029) were associated with increased odds of undernutrition. We concluded that the assessment of comorbidity and nutritional status should be part of the treatment for adult TB patients.

scholarly journals Women’s Attitudes Towards Negotiating Safe Sexual Practices in Nigeria: Do Family Structure and Decision-making Autonomy Play a Role?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chukwuechefulam Kingsley Imo ◽  
Clifford O. Odimegwu ◽  
Nicole De Wet-Billings
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Family Structure ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sexual Relationships ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Women’S Sexual Health

Abstract BackgroundThe risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is related to women’s sexual attitudes, beliefs, and power dynamics within marriages in developing countries. Despite the interventions towards improving women’s sexual health and well-being, the risk of transmission of STIs which disproportionately affect women continues to be widespread in most sub-Saharan African countries including Nigeria. The dearth of social research on the influence of family structure and decision-making autonomy on women’s attitudes towards negotiating safe sexual practices necessitated this study in Nigeria. MethodsThe study involved analyses of data from nationally representative and weighted sample size of 28,219 ever-married or cohabiting women aged 15-49 years from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Descriptive and analytical analyses were carried out, including frequency tables, Pearson’s chi-square test, and multivariate binary logistic regression model.ResultsThe overall prevalence of having strong attitudes towards negotiating safe sexual practices were 76.7% and 69.6% for a wife justified in asking the husband to use a condom if he has an STI and refusing to have sex with the husband if he had sex with other women, respectively. The analyses further showed that polygamous unions negatively influenced urban and rural women’s attitudes towards negotiating safe sexual practices with partners, for instance, the belief that a wife is justified asking the husband to use a condom if he has STI (aOR: 0.71; CI: 0.61-0.83 and aOR: 0.74; CI: 0.67-0.81, respectively). Similarly, urban and rural women whose husbands/partners made independent decisions on their healthcare were less likely to belief that a wife is justified in asking the husband to use a condom if he has STI (aOR: 0.60; CI: 0.47-0.76 and aOR: 0.80; CI: 0.67-0.97, respectively). Plausibly, women’s decision-making autonomy on issues relating to their earnings and healthcare might have constrained them to compromise their sexual relationships with partners. ConclusionThe outcomes of this study have some policy implications for both maternal and child health. Hence, the need to intensify programmes aimed at improving women’s sexual health and rights towards achieving sustainable development goals of preventing deaths of newborns, ending STIs and creating gender in Nigeria.

The dynamics of intergenerational sexual relationships: the experience of schoolgirls in Botswana

Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josephine Nkosana ◽  
Doreen Rosenthal
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Transmission ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Sexual Relationships ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Social Agents ◽  
The Social ◽  
Effective Policy ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background: Studies conducted in several sub-Saharan African countries have revealed that women and girls engage in intergenerational sexual relationships without the protection of condoms, giving cause for concern about HIV transmission. These relationships often occur against the girls’ will and for many reasons, including reasons associated with subsistence. However, some young women do act as active social agents who rationally engage in intergenerational sexual exchanges oriented towards consumption. The present study examines the dynamics of intergenerational sexual relationships among schoolgirls in Botswana. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 schoolgirls who were currently in an intergenerational sexual relationship. The social, cultural and economic factors that cause young girls to engage in these relationships and how intergenerational sex contributes to unsafe sexual practices were examined. Results: The findings revealed that not all girls were passive and controlled by their older sexual partners. Some derived pleasure, enjoyment, love and equal partnership in these sexual relationships. They displayed a capacity to take charge of their own sexual lives by insisting on and engaging in safe-sex behaviours. Another set of girls had little or no decision-making power. Their relationships with older boyfriends were characterised by coercion and manipulation. Negotiation for condom use was difficult for this group. Conclusions: Effective policy and practice can be informed by the findings, leading to a reduction in HIV transmission as a result of intergenerational sex. In particular, the study has drawn attention to girls who are able to assert themselves within intergenerational sexual relationships and successfully negotiate safe sex. These strategies can be incorporated in programs to assist girls who face challenges and difficulties in negotiating safe sex with older men.

scholarly journals Implementation and Performance of Haemovigilance Systems in 10 Sub-Saharan African Countries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Washington T. Samukange ◽  
Verena Kluempers ◽  
Manvi Porwal ◽  
Linda Mudyiwenyama ◽  
Khamusi Mutoti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Regulatory Processes ◽  
Legal Provisions ◽  
The Status ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Regulations And Guidelines

Abstract Background:Haemovigilance is an important element of blood regulation. It includes collecting and evaluating information on adverse events resulting from the use of blood and blood components with the aim to improve donor and patient safety. We assessed how haemovigilance is currently being implemented and performed in 10 sub-Saharan African countries. Methods:We piloted the use of the integrated WHO Global Benchmarking Tool plus Blood (GBT+ Blood) to assess the haemovigilance function of national regulatory authorities (NRAs) in Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Liberia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Data obtained from documents and face to face interviews were used to determine the status of implementation and performance of the following six indicators; legal provisions regulations and guidelines, organisation and governance, human resources, regulatory processes, transparency and accountability and finally, monitoring progress and assessing impact, by estimating median scores across 20 sub-indicators. In addition, a cluster analysis was performed.Results:The countries showed inter-organisation variability in implementation and performance of the haemovigilance function. The overall median score (all sub-indicators) was 44% (range: 7.5% - 70%). The lowest average performance scores were for the arrangement for effective organisation and coordination (35%) and human resources (35%) indicators. The highest average scores were observed for the mechanism to promote transparency and mechanism to monitor regulatory performance indicators (50% and 60%, respectively). We identified clusters of best implemented sub-indicators from the procedures for haemovigilance and poorly implemented sub-indicators from the legal provisions, regulations and guidelines for haemovigilance and human resources. Conclusions:Implementation of sub-indicators and performance of haemovigilance systems varied greatly for all countries with a few countries performing reasonably well in implementation of some sub-indicators under procedures for haemovigilance. Most countries were poorly implementing sub-indicators in the legal provisions, arrangement for effective organisation and human resources indicators. The legislative provisions in most countries were at a nascent stage. There is a need to set up targeted and customised technical support coupled with prioritised interventions to strengthen the capacities of NRAs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document