Context Within Which Female Same-Sex Develops and Practiced in Tanzania: Qualitative Study among Women Who Have Sex with Women in Dar-es-Salaam City

Background: Homosexual identification among women as lesbian, bisexual or transgender does not encompass the whole pool of women who practice same-sex behavior. Straight women especially youths are more increasingly willing to have sex with fellow women. This article establishes the reasons that influence same-sex orientation and behaviors among women in Tanzania. It explores the self-reported push/pull reasons that ultimately leads women to same-sex behavior among sampled through individuals. Method: This is a cross-sectional descriptive and retrospective study which was conducted in Dar es Salaam between January and February, 2021. The participants of the study were WSW, proxy WSW, and women who at one time had female same-sex relationships. The study also used community members aged 18 years and above but only those who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected through qualitative in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, interviews, and life stories. All the data generated through the study were analyzed thematically. Results: The findings indicate that women who practice same-sex behavior believe that their behavior occurs naturally through biological reasons. Some of them attribute earlier negative experiences with men as a trigger to opt out of heterosexual sex. Most participants also cited past unpleasant sexual experiences with men such as rape, being emotionally detached from men as factors that lead to developing desires to have sex with fellow women. Conclusion: There are biological and social-economic factors that lead women to practice same-sex behaviors. Women, who are born with male attributes become sexually unattracted to males, opt to engage in same-sex practices because of displeasure from having sex with men. Further, economic hardships in societies force women to engage in same-sex practices through peers who are financially well-off and are searching for peers to exploit sexually. Research should focus on investigating peer influence and social media’s effects on women’s decision to engage in same sex practices.

Individual and poly-substance use and condomless sex among HIV-uninfected adults reporting heterosexual sex in a multi-site cohort

Background We analyzed the association between substance use (SU) and condomless sex (CS) among HIV-negative adults reporting heterosexual sex in the Seek, Test, Treat, and Retain (STTR) consortium. We describe the impact of SU as well as person/partner and context-related factors on CS, identifying combinations of factors that indicate the highest likelihood of CS. Methods We analyzed data from four US-based STTR studies to examine the effect of SU on CS using two SU exposures: 1) recent SU (within 3 months) and 2) SU before/during sex. Behavioral data were collected via 1:1 or self-administered computerized interviews. Adjusted individual-study, multivariable relative risk regression was used to examine the relationship between CS and SU. We also examined interactions with type of sex and partner HIV status. Pooled effect estimates were calculated using traditional fixed-effects meta-analysis. We analyzed data for recent SU (n = 6781; 82% men, median age = 33 years) and SU before/during sex (n = 2915; 69% men, median age = 40 years). Results For both exposure classifications, any SU other than cannabis increased the likelihood of CS relative to non-SU (8–16%, p-values< 0.001). In the recent SU group, however, polysubstance use did not increase the likelihood of CS compared to single-substance use. Cannabis use did not increase the likelihood of CS, regardless of frequency of use. Type of sex was associated with CS; those reporting vaginal and anal sex had a higher likelihood of CS compared to vaginal sex only for both exposure classifications (18–21%, p < 0.001). Recent SU increased likelihood of CS among those reporting vaginal sex only (9–10%, p < 0.001); results were similar for those reporting vaginal and anal sex (5–8%, p < 0.01). SU before/during sex increased the likelihood of CS among those reporting vaginal sex only (20%; p < 0.001) and among those reporting vaginal and anal sex (7%; p = 0.002). Single- and poly-SU before/during sex increased the likelihood of CS for those with exclusively HIV-negative partners (7–8%, p ≤ 0.02), and for those reporting HIV-negative and HIV-status unknown partners (9–13%, p ≤ 0.03). Conclusion Except for cannabis, any SU increased the likelihood of CS. CS was associated with having perceived HIV-negative partners and with having had both anal/vaginal sex.

The degree of practice of mathematics teachers in the basic stage in Jordan for effective teaching in light of the standards of the National Council of Mathematics Teachers (NCTM) from the point of view of educational supervisors: درجة ممارسة معلمي الرياضيات في المرحلة الأساسية في الأردن للتدريس الفعال في ضوء معايير المجلس القومي الأمريكي لمعلمي الرياضيات (NCTM) من وجهة نظر المشرفين التربويين

The current study aimed to reveal the degree of practice of mathematics teachers in the basic stage in Jordan for effective teaching in light of the standards of the National Council of Mathematics Teachers (NCTM) from the point of view of the educational supervisors. Mathematics subject in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, whose number is (171) supervisors and supervisors, distributed between the directorates of education and the ministry center. A questionnaire was applied to them consisting of (7) standards and (48) indicators, which were derived from the National Council of Mathematics Teachers (NCTM) standards document. Where the indicators of its validity and reliability were verified, the study found that the degree of practice of mathematics teachers in the basic stage in Jordan for effective teaching standards in light of the standards of the National Council of Teachers and the viewpoint of the educational supervisors came at the macro level with a medium degree, with an arithmetic mean (3.09). "In the first place, with an arithmetic mean of (3.70), and with a high degree, while the field (planning mathematics lessons in an unconventional way) came in last place, with an arithmetic mean of (2.20), and with a weak degree, the results did not show differences in the degree of practice attributable to heterosexual sex and experience, while there were differences attributed to the scientific qualification variable and in favor of those with postgraduate academic qualification. The study recommended the necessity of holding training programs for the standards of the National Council of Mathematics Teachers (NCTM) to develop the performance of mathematics teachers, and to include these standards in the teaching courses of the Faculties of Education in Jordanian universities during the teacher preparation period.

Distributing condoms on the factory floor: Communists and sexual health in the Netherlands

Dutch communists were remarkably progressive in their views on (heterosexual) sex, sex education, contraception and family planning. Many were active members of the Nederlandse Vereniging van Sexuele Hervorming ('Dutch League for Sexual Reform' or NVSH), and were passionate advocates of sexual health, and promoted the use of contraceptives and the legalisation of abortion. This progressive stance on sexuality and contraception was not led by the Dutch Communist Party (CPN). In fact, from the 1940s until the late 1960s, topics related to birth control, sex education and family planning had been given a wide berth in the CPN and its organisations. The CPN seemingly followed the example set by the Soviet Union, where, after a very brief moment of sexual liberation in the early post-revolution years, conservative views about sexuality, the family and household organisation had prevailed. Considering the Dutch party's refusal to address sex education and family planning, it is quite remarkable that so many of its members were such passionate advocates of sexual health. Based on a series of interviews with twenty-five cradle communists, communist archives, and a wide range of other sources, this article explores communists' stance on sexual health, and discusses their roles in the NVSH and the abortion rights movement during the Cold War. It argues that in regard to sexuality and sex education, the ideas of Dutch communists were much more in line with utopian socialist traditions that predated the Russian revolution as well as anarchist traditions carried through to communists, than with the Soviet ideology.

Individual, Community, and Structural Factors Associated With Linkage to HIV Care Among People Diagnosed with HIV in Tennessee

Background We assessed trends and identified individual- and county-level factors associated with linkage to HIV care in Tennessee (TN). Methods TN residents diagnosed with HIV from 2012–2016 were included in the analysis (n = 3,750). Linkage was defined by the first CD4 or HIV RNA test date at or after HIV diagnosis. We used modified Poisson regression to estimate probability of 30-day linkage to care at the individual- and county-levels. Results Both MSM (aRR 1.16, 95%CI 1.01–1.32) and women who reported heterosexual sex risk factors (aRR 1.28, 95%CI 1.11–1.48) were more likely to link to care within 30-days than heterosexual males. Non-Hispanic Black individuals had poorer linkage than White individuals (aRR 0.77, 95%CI 0.72–0.83). County-level mentally unhealthy days were negatively associated with linkage (aRR 0.59, 95%CI 0.40–0.88). Conclusions Disparities persist at both individual and county levels and may warrant structural interventions to address racism and mental health needs.