Sexual Attitudes, Beliefs, Practices, and HIV Risk During Pregnancy and Post-delivery: A Qualitative Study in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe

Women who acquire HIV during the pregnancy and breastfeeding periods have a higher risk of transmitting the virus to their child than women who become infected with HIV before pregnancy. We explore the context of sexual beliefs and practices that may shape both HIV risk and willingness to use HIV prevention products during pregnancy and postpartum in Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Twenty-three single sex focus group discussions and 36 in-depth interviews took place between May and November 2018 with recently pregnant or breastfeeding women, men, mothers and mothers-in-law of pregnant or breastfeeding women, and key informants. Participants across study groups and sites (N = 232) reported various perceived benefits and harms of sex during pregnancy and postpartum. Participants discussed reasons why men might seek sex outside of the relationship. There is a critical need for alternative prevention options to protect pregnant and breastfeeding women from HIV.

Different Strokes for Different Folks? Examining a New Measure for Age-Relative Sexual Attitudes

Recent research suggests increasingly permissive attitudes towards sexual activity in later life. Harboring more conservative beliefs especially as one reaches older age, however, may translate into how one views and navigates sexual health changes. A sample of participants (N = 706; Mage = 52.72 years, SD = 9.57, range = 36-79; 60.8% male) was recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk to complete a survey on sexual beliefs about age and aging. Participants completed two versions of the Relative Sexual Attitudes Scale (RASA), wherein they were prompted to consider either “someone their own age” or “an older person” in response to items assessing sexual attitudes. Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was used to confirm the original five-factor structure, reduce the total items from 31 to 25, and establish measurement equivalence for the 36-54 year-old and 55+ year-old samples. Through a series of profile analyses investigating each subscale, scores did not significantly differ between the two prompts, although significant age-group differences were found with the 36-54 year-old age group reporting more open attitudes than the 55+ year-old age group across all subscales, except the traditional mores subscale. Sexual attitude subscale scores also differed by gender, engagement in partnered sexual activity, and whether one had spoken to a health professional about their sexual health in the past year. The findings support use of the RASA for adults 36 and older and highlight applications to understanding differences in sexual health into later life.

Sexuality in Emerging Adulthood

This book provides an in-depth examination of an important domain of development during emerging adulthood—sexuality. Emerging adulthood, which is a complex and dynamic developmental period, uniquely affords individuals a variety of choices with regard to sexuality; this volume addresses these various facets of sexuality to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the field. The first section of the volume offers conceptualizations and foundational perspectives on sexuality in emerging adulthood, with topics including theory, developmental considerations, sexual behavior, sexual beliefs and attitudes, associations with romance, casual sex, and sexual orientation. The second section systematically examines contexts and socializing agents of sexual development, including parents, peers, media, and religion. The third section narrows in on the overarching theme of the series by addressing factors leading to flourishing and floundering in the area of sexuality during emerging adulthood, such as effects of early adversity, sexual health, sexual well-being, sexuality and mental health, and sexual assault. Accompanying seven of the chapters are brief scientific reports offering novel related research. The volume also contains four method tutorials that discuss topics in sex research such as ethical considerations, recruitment and incentive strategies, and identity-affirming methods. Concluding the volume is a chapter presenting innovative new perspectives on integration of sexual health promotion and sexual violence prevention.

Media as a Source of Sexual Socialization for Emerging Adults

This chapter examines the role of three medium types—television and films, music and music videos, and pornography—in the sexual socialization of emerging adults. For television/films and music/music videos, researchers have found that increased exposure to both is associated with more gendered sexual beliefs and more sexually permissive attitudes and expectations. There is also evidence that exposure to mainstream television and movies is related to a variety of sexual behaviors, including age at sexual debut, sexual experience, and risky sexual behaviors. The literatures on music/music videos and pornography share a common interest in sexism, reporting that both types of media exposure are related to sexist beliefs and lax perceptions of sexual aggression. Pornography consumption is also correlated with more negative body image and higher relational dissatisfaction, which have consequences for the quality of emerging adults’ sexual experiences.

The Beliefs and Practices on Sexual Health and Sexual Transmitted Infection Prevention of Myanmar Migrant Workers in Thailand

Background: Thailand is recognized as one of the countries in Southeast Asia that has attracted a large number of migrant workers from her neighboring counterparts. The issue of sexual transmitted infections among transnational migrant workers has caused grave concerns for Thai government, particularly the authority responsible for healthcare policy and planning. Objective: This study aimed to explain the sexual beliefs and practices on sexual health and sexual transmitted infections prevention of Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand. Methods: The qualitative research method was applied in this research. The data collection covered observation, field note takings, in-depth interviews, and secondary data derived from literature reviews of various sources. The participants consisted of 22 Myanmar migrant workers who could communicate in Thai and live in Thailand for at least one year. The data was analyzed by using the method of content analysis. Results: The findings of this study included two major themes and four subthemes as follows: 1. The meanings of sexual transmitted infections 2. The sexual health and sexual transmitted infections prevention: 2.1) Males and Females: equality to STI’s prevention2.2) Sexual Risk Behaviors: No prostitute services, No sexual risks 2.3) Condom usage: unaffordable and the symbol of promiscuous and untrustworthy and 2.4) Abortion: unavoidable solutions to unwanted pregnancy. Conclusion: The findings provided an understanding of sexual beliefs and practices on sexual health and sexually transmitted infections prevention among Myanmar migrant workers that can be applied to the policy making as a foundation data including to inform and propose to the concerned society, healthcare organizations, healthcare providers and nurses, in particular.

A Qualitative Exploration of Jezebel Stereotype Endorsement and Sexual Behaviors Among Black College Women

Researchers suggest that the Jezebel stereotype exerts a significant influence on Black women’s sexual decision making. The current qualitative study drew upon narrative data from individual, semistructured interviews with 50 Black women (ages 18-24 years) to explore how the Jezebel stereotype influenced their sexual beliefs and behaviors. Using consensual qualitative research methods, the following four themes emerged from the data: (a) how the Jezebel plays a role in their sexual exploration, (b) how the Jezebel contributes to sexual violence against Black women, (c) how the Jezebel is a hypersexual media representation of Black women’s sexuality, and (d) how the Jezebel is a negative sexual stereotype within family contexts. Our findings contextualize the enduring role of the Jezebel stereotype as a sexual script for Black women, as we found that many participants chose to adapt their clothing choices or sexual behaviors in light of their awareness and endorsement of the stereotype. The authors discuss the implications of study findings for Black women and girls’ sexual socialization and deconstructing deficit-based ideologies of Black women’s sexuality.