scholarly journals Risk perceptions, misperceptions and sexual behaviours among young heterosexual people with gonorrhoea in Perth, Western Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roanna Lobo ◽  
Josephine Rayson ◽  
Jonathan Hallett ◽  
Donna B Mak
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Western Australia ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections

Background Notification rates of gonorrhoea in Australia for heterosexual young adults rose by 63% between 2012 and 2016. In Western Australian major cities, there was a 612% increase among non-Aboriginal females and a 358% increase in non-Aboriginal males in the ten-year period 2007–2016. A qualitative public health investigation was initiated to inform appropriate action. Methods Eighteen semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with non-Aboriginal heterosexual young adults aged 18–34 years living in Perth, Western Australia, who had recently been notified to the Department of Health with gonorrhoea, to explore the context of their sexual interactions and lifestyles which could have predisposed them to contracting gonorrhoea. Data were thematically analysed. Results Common themes were having several casual sexual partners, limited communication between sexual partners about condom use or sexual history prior to engaging in sexual activity, inconsistent condom use, normalisation of some sexually transmissible infections amongst young people, and poor understandings and assessment of sexually transmissible infection risk. Conclusions The findings support public health interventions that focus on communication between sexual partners and shifting of risk perceptions in sexual health education programs, ensuring accessibility of quality sexual health information, increasing condom accessibility and acceptability, and on strategies for addressing misperceptions of young people in relation to sexually transmitted infections.

scholarly journals What single midlife women think about and do to protect their sexual health

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Kimberly C. Hart
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Sexual Partner ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Subjective Norms ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Midlife Women ◽  
Perceived Behavioral Control ◽  
Convenience Sample

Sexually transmitted infections (STI) are a significant public health problem among U.S. women. Single midlife women aged 40-59 are at particular risk for STI. Little is known about the factors that contribute to low sexual health protection and condom non-use in this population. The majority of research on STI prevention has focused on populations of younger women. This cross sectional study, guided by the theory of planned behavior examined relationships between STI perceived risk, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, condom use intention and sexual health behaviors. Data were collected with a convenience sample of single midlife women at risk for STI who participated via a web-based survey. Of the 611 women who entered the survey website, eligible participants (n=285) were predominantly 40-49 years of age (65.6%), Caucasian (94.7%), college graduates, (62.1%) and employed (85.3%). Approximately one-third (31.6%, n=90) indicated a previous STI diagnosis. Half (49.5%) of the women reported they had used a condom use with the last new sexual partner. For the entire sample, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control each significantly correlated with intention to use condoms with a new sexual partner. Logistic regression analysis showed that using a condom with a new sexual partner significantly increased as attitude (p=.002) and intention (p=.001) increased. Higher level of education correlated with decreased subject norms and intention towards condom use. There was a significant decrease in condom use of women with a college degree. A positive correlation was found between STI and number of new sexual partners. However, having more new sexual partners was significantly correlated with decreased condom use. Findings indicated this sample of single midlife women had positive attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and intention toward condom use. Yet, a condom was used only half of the time with new sexual partners. Findings from this study can inform interventions and programs that aim to enhance sexual health outcomes and reduce STI acquisition among midlife women.

‘If You Cannot Control Yourself’

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anaïs Bertrand-Dansereau
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Southern Africa ◽  
Sexuality Education ◽  
Health Messages ◽  
Aids Patients ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Public Health Messages

In Malawi, as elsewhere in southern Africa, faith-based organisations (FBOs) have been integrated in the official response to HIV/AIDS. This new role, and the funding that accompanies it, has professionalised their traditional care activities around AIDS patients, widows and orphans, and it has also put them in charge of HIV prevention. As HIV preventers, they are asked to bridge epistemic differences between conflicting notions of sexuality and morality by reconciling public health messages, Christian teachings and local cosmologies. This becomes challenging when it comes to the question of sexuality education, specifically the promotion of abstinence, and condom use. Many FBO leaders’ response to this challenge is nuanced and defies stereotypes, as they try to balance their concern for young people, the demands of donors and the moral imperatives of their faith.

University students’ perceptions of environmental risks to infertility

Sexual Health ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olivia Remes ◽  
Amanda N. Whitten ◽  
Kelley-Anne Sabarre ◽  
Karen P. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Environmental Risks ◽  
Knowledge Gaps ◽  
Future Fertility ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Media Reports

Background Canadian young adults may be at risk of future infertility due to the high incidence of sexually transmissible infections (STIs) in this population. Young adults’ perceptions of environmental risks, including contaminants, STIs and lifestyle habits on infertility, have not been examined. We have therefore designed a qualitative study to explore risk perceptions, awareness and knowledge of common environmental risk factors for infertility in a multiethnic sample of young adults. Methods: Semistructured interviews were carried out with 40 university undergraduate students (16 men and 24 women) in Ottawa, Canada, followed by qualitative analysis of interview transcripts to identify major themes. Results: The following broad themes described participants’ risk perceptions about infertility and (1) environmental contaminants: knowledge gaps, media reports and negative perception of chemicals; (2) STIs: superficial understanding of their role in infertility, general awareness, associations with sexual behaviours and knowledge gaps; and (3) lifestyle: protective benefits of healthy lifestyle, dose or exposure effects for smoking and alcohol, and knowledge gaps. Students demonstrated a superficial understanding of environmental risks, at times relying on media reports and anecdotal information to support their beliefs. Conclusions: This next generation of potential infertility patients exhibits a general understanding of environmental risks to infertility; however, young adults are overly optimistic that healthy lifestyle behaviours will safeguard future fertility. STIs represent the most significant modifiable risk factors for this age group; a message that can be supported by sexual and reproductive health education and promotion with greater emphasis on the long-term outcomes of STIs, including infertility.

scholarly journals The sexual behaviours of adolescents aged between 14 and 17 years involved with the juvenile justice system in Australia: A community-based survey

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. e0243633
Author(s):  
Lorraine Yap ◽  
Jocelyn Jones ◽  
Basil Donovan ◽  
Sally Nathan ◽  
Elizabeth Sullivan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Justice System ◽  
Juvenile Justice System ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Youth Health ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Sexual Behaviours ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections

Objectives To overcome key knowledge gaps in relation to justice involved and vulnerable young people and their sexual health and to compare this group with their peers from other youth health surveys in Australia to determine the extent of the issues. Methods Young people, aged between 14 and 17 years, who had ever been or were currently involved with the criminal justice system were purposively sampled. The survey was anonymous and delivered using Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI). Results A total of 465 justice involved MeH-JOSH young people, aged between 14 and 17 years, participated in the study: 44% Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) and 37% not attending school. Of the total valid responses, 76% (n = 348) reported having ever had sex, with sexual initiation at a median age of 14 years. We compared these data with their peers in other Australian surveys and found that young people in our study had a higher engagement in sex and start having sex at a younger age, reporting more sexual partners at all ages. Conclusions The sexual behaviours of young people involved in the justice system in this study suggest they may be at a greater risk for sexually transmissible infections than their age-matched peers in the general population. Policymakers should elevate them to a priority population for targeting sexual health services and health promotion.

scholarly journals Improving the sexual health of young people (under 25) in high-risk populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of behavioural and psychosocial interventions.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellie Brown ◽  
Samantha L Lo Monaco ◽  
Brian O'Donoghue ◽  
Elizabeth Hughes ◽  
Melissa Graham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
High Risk ◽  
North America ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Psychosocial Interventions ◽  
Out Of Home Care

Abstract Background Ensuring young people experience good sexual health is a key public health concern. Yet, some vulnerable groups of young people are at higher risk of poor sexual health, and consequently require additional support to achieve good sexual health. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to identify and assess the evidence base for behavioural and psychosocial interventions to improve sexual health for young people with additional vulnerabilities.Methods We searched for randomised controlled trials of interventions aimed at promoting sexual health, with any non-pharmacological comparator (e.g., waitlist control). Key outcomes of interest were indicators of sexual health (e.g., condom use, attitudes to contraception, knowledge of risk). Participants in eligible trials were under 25 years old and in a high-risk group (alcohol and other drug use; justice-involved; homeless; LGBTQI+; mental ill-health; ethnic minority, or out-of-home care). The final literature searches were performed on 16 September 2020, on MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Web of Science, Scopus and clinical trial registries. Meta-analyses were conducted where possible.Results Forty-seven papers from 46 trials of the 5213 identified met inclusion criteria, with all but one of the included trials conducted in North America. Three focused predominantly on AOD, six on juvenile justice, two on homelessness, five on young men who have sex with men (YMSM), 26 on ethnic minorities, two on mental ill-health, three on out-of-home care, however no trials were identified in LGBTQI + groups outside of YMSM. The 47 included papers had a combined total of 21,543 participants. The vast majority (26/46) of trials were conducted with ethnic minority groups, with most of the interventions delivered as group therapy, and some involving parents and caregivers. Condom use was the most frequently reported outcome measure. In trials targeting ethnic minorities, the meta-analysis found a medium effect size (0.62, p = 0.0004) of the intervention on condom use.Conclusions There remains a dearth of research undertaken outside of North America, and in high-risk groups other than ethnic minorities. Future interventions should address sexual health more broadly than just the absence of negative biological outcomes with LGBTQI+, homeless and mental ill-health populations targeted for such work.This review was registered at Prospero (ref. 149810) and at osf.io/ukva9.

scholarly journals Health-Care Professionals' Assessments of, and Recommendations for, Sexual-Health Education and Service Provision for Young People in Tehran

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Narges Sheikhansari ◽  
Charles Abraham ◽  
Sarah Denford
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Cultural Barriers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Supported Education ◽  
Design And Methods

Background: Only limited Sexual Health and Relationships Education (SHRE) is provided in Iranian schools and universities while research has highlighted demand and need for improved SHRE among young adults. We explored health-care professionals' (HCPs) assessments of, and recommendations for, SHRE and service provision for young people in Tehran.Design and Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 17 HCPs based in Tehran and verbatim transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: Participants confirmed the need for improved SHRE and service provision for young adults. HCPs described how a lack of reliable educational resources for young adults, taboo and cultural barriers, and a lack of trust and confidentiality prevented young people from accessing information and services. They unanimously supported education and services to be augmented, and provided recommendations on how this could be achieved.Conclusions: A number of positive suggestions for the improvement of SHRE and Iranian sexual health services in Iran were identified.

Changing pattern of sexually transmissible infections and HIV diagnosed in public sexual health services compared with other locations in New South Wales, 2010–14

Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Bourne ◽  
Meeyin Lam ◽  
Christine Selvey ◽  
Rebecca Guy ◽  
Denton Callander
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Bisexual Men ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sexually Transmissible Infections ◽  
Annual Proportion ◽  
Priority Population

Background In Australia, testing and treatment for HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) is usually managed in general practice, while publicly funded sexual health clinics (PFSHC) attract people at higher risk for infection. The proportion of HIV and STI diagnoses in New South Wales (NSW) occurring in PFSHC stratified by priority population was investigated. Methods: From 2010 to 2014, NSW notification frequencies for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, infectious syphilis, and HIV were compared with the number of diagnoses in PFSHC. The annual proportion of diagnoses at PFSHC was calculated and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests assessed trends. Diagnoses from PFSHC were also organised by priority population, including gay and bisexual men (GBM), people living with HIV, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who use injecting drugs, sex workers and young people. Results: The annual proportion of HIV and STIs diagnosed at PFSHC increased (all P < 0.001): chlamydia from 12% to 15%, gonorrhoea 23% to 38%, infectious syphilis 21% to 40% and HIV 22% to 30%. Overall, the majority of all infections diagnosed at PFSHC were among GBM, with the proportional distribution of chlamydia increasing from 32% to 46% among GBM (P < 0.001) and decreasing among young people (50% to 40%; P < 0.001). There were no other significant changes by population or infection at PFSHC. Conclusions: Increasing proportions of STI and HIV are being diagnosed at NSW PFSHC, mostly among GBM. PFSHC reorientation to priority populations continues to make a large and increasing contribution to STI and HIV control efforts in NSW.

scholarly journals Sexual health, risky sexual behavior and condom use among adolescents young adults and older adults in Chiang Mai, Thailand: findings from a population based survey

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanokporn Pinyopornpanish ◽  
Sanhapan Thanamee ◽  
Wichuda Jiraporncharoen ◽  
Kanittha Thaikla ◽  
Jessica McDonald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Risky Sexual Behavior ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Chiang Mai ◽  
Population Based Survey

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.

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