Solitary and joint online pornography use during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Portugal: Intrapersonal and interpersonal correlates

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced several people into social isolation and research has shown a paradoxical effect on people’s sexual functioning. Some people experienced decreases in sexual desire and sexual satisfaction, whereas others experienced heightened sexual desire and made new additions to their sexual repertoire, including more online pornography use, during the lockdown. Yet, studies failed to examine its interpersonal and intrapersonal correlates, distinguish between solitary and joint use, or explore differences between partnered and single people. We examined if changes in solitary or joint online pornography use since the lockdown were associated with sexual functioning, sexual satisfaction, perceived health, and sleep quality. We conducted an online cross-sectional study with convenience sampling in Portugal (N = 303 participants; 56.3% men; Mage = 31.32, SD = 10.55; 71.0% in a relationship) during May and July 2020. Partnered participants who reported increases in solitary online pornography use also reported decreases in their sex life quality. For partnered and single participants, increases in joint online pornography use were associated with increases in sex life quality. Single participants who reported increases in solitary online pornography use also perceived better health and sleep quality, and those who reported increases in joint online pornography use also reported more intimacy with casual partner(s) and better sleep quality. These findings suggest that online pornography might have beens used as a sexual pleasure tool to connect with a stable or casual partner(s) in a time when social interactions were restricted.

Gonorrhoea enhanced surveillance for indigenous status and risk factors in the south-eastern Sydney population

Background: Gonorrhoea incidence is increasing in the Australian population. As a laboratory notifiable disease in NSW, information is not routinely available on indigenous status, sexual preference or other risk factors for infection. We conducted a 12-month pilot of enhanced surveillance in southeastern Sydney in order to assess the feasibility of gathering this additional information. Methods: For each notification in a south-eastern Sydney resident with a 2013 specimen date, we sent a letter and questionnaire to the requesting doctor seeking additional demographic and risk factor information. Results: Of 1,341 questionnaires sent, 1,073 (79.5%) were returned, and men comprised 947 (88.3%). Indigenous status was provided for 1,009 (94.1%) cases, with seven (0.7%) identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Most men (83%) but a minority of women (19%) had same sex partners (p<0.001). Whilst 70% of men reported acquisition from a casual partner, only 46% of women thought they had acquired infection from a casual partner. Conclusions: The high response rate and completeness of indigenous status were strong features of this enhanced surveillance pilot which also provided valuable information on sexual preference and other risk factors for infection. However, gathering of this information was very labour intensive for both clinical and public health staff.

High willingness to use novel HIV and bacterial sexually transmitted infection partner notification, testing, and treatment strategies among gay and bisexual men

ObjectivesWe sought to determine willingness of gay and bisexual men (GBM) to give HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits with patient-delivered partner therapy (PDPT) and engage in geosocial sexual networking (GSN) app-based partner notification.MethodsA nationwide sample of GBM who self-tested HIV negative (n=786) were asked about their willingness to give recent sex partners (main and casual) PDPT with an HIVST kit (PDPT+HIVST) after hypothetical bacterial STI (BSTI) diagnosis. Men were also asked about their willingness to notify sexual partners met on GSN apps using an anonymous app function after BSTI diagnosis. We examined associations of relationship status and condomless anal sex with casual partners, recent BSTI diagnosis and perceived risk of HIV on PDPT+HIVST and anonymous app-based partner notification willingness (dichotomised) using binary logistic regressions, adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education and US region. From the partner’s perspective after receiving an app-based referral, frequency measures were used to report intentions for obtaining subsequent HIV/BSTI counselling and testing, engaging in HIVST if provided a free voucher, and obtaining BSTI treatment from a pharmacy with prescription voucher.ResultsMost (90.1%) were willing to give PDPT+HIVST to recent sex partners after STI diagnosis, and nearly all (96.4%) were willing to notify sex partners met online using an anonymous function within GSN apps. Regardless of casual partner condomless anal sex engagement, partnered GBM had higher odds of reporting willingness to give PDPT+HIVST compared with single men who recently engaged in condomless anal sex with a casual partner. If anonymously notified via an app, 92.5% reported they would likely obtain counselling and testing, 92.8% would engage in HIVST if provided a free voucher, and 93.4% would obtain treatment from a pharmacy with prescription voucher.ConclusionsGBM generally found novel partner notification, testing, and treatment strategies acceptable, indicating the need for feasibility and cost-effectiveness evaluations.

Factors associated with condom use and HIV testing among young men who have sex with men: a cross-sectional survey in a random online sample in Sweden

ObjectivesThe objectives are to analyse social determinants of sexual health behaviour (condom use and HIV testing) among young, internet-active, cis men who have sex with men (MSM) in a high-income country. The aspects of sexual health behaviour analysed here are condomless anal intercourse with one or more new or casual partner(s), condomless anal intercourse during the most recent sex with a man and HIV testing.MethodsA randomised sample of men active on Sweden’s main online community for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans people responded to an online survey (response rate 19%). A subsample of young people, aged 15–29, was analysed (effective sample 597–669) using multivariable logistic regression with respect to factors associated with condomless anal intercourse with one or more new or casual partner(s), condomless anal intercourse at most recent sex and not having had a test for HIV.ResultsLow education, being single and living in a metropolitan area were found to be independently associated with condomless anal intercourse with new or casual partner(s). Sex with a steady partner was associated with condomless anal intercourse during the most recent sex. Knowledge of where to get tested, high education, being born outside Sweden and condomless anal intercourse with new or casual sex partner(s) were independently associated with having been tested for HIV.ConclusionsThe factors associated with sexual health behaviour among young MSM are complex, and preventive messages need to be tailored accordingly.

Friends with Benefits Relationships in Young Norwegian Adults

Objective: To explore Norwegian young adults’ experiences with friends with benefits (FWB) relationships. Design and Method: In 2013, a questionnaire survey was sent online by the poll organization Ipsos MMI to a representative national web sample of 2,090 persons aged 18–29 years of which 27.2 % responded (n = 568). Results: A majority of the respondents (53.5%), and more women than men (58.2% versus 46.6%, p = 0.010), reported to have been involved in a FWB relationship. Parallel sexual relations to the FWB relationship was reported by 51.9% of the sample. A total of 27.5% claimed they had had extradyadic sex with a casual partner once, 16.4% had had sex several times with casual partners, and 8.0% claimed they had had sex with a parallel FWB partner. In regard to experiences they had had with their current or most recent FWB partner, the most commonly reported interaction activities were to have touched each other sexually (99.2%), vaginal intercourse (96.5%), kissing (95.0%), talked together about something meaningful (87.0%), oral sex (86.7%), and mutual masturbation (73.7%). More men than women reported experience of mutual masturbation (85.7% versus 67.1%, p < 0.001) and anal intercourse (25.9% versus 14.9%, p < 0.05), and more women than men reported to have had vaginal intercourse (98.2% versus 93.3%, p < 0.05). Conclusions: The perception of intimacy with the current or most recent FWB partner was relatively high, and few negative feelings were reported by the participants.

Condom Use in the Context of Main and Casual Partner Concurrency: Individual and Relationship Predictors in a Sample of Heterosexual African American Men

Researchers have identified engagement in sexual concurrency, particularly when condom use is inconsistent, as a risk factor for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. This risk is particularly salient in rural communities in which dense interconnection of sexual networks can promote the spread of sexually transmitted infections. The authors investigated individual and relationship factors that predict inconsistent condom use in the context of main and casual partner sexual concurrency among 176 rural African American men. The individual psychosocial factors investigated included impulsivity and anger/hostility. Relationship variables included fidelity expectations, criticism from partners, and relationship control in both main and casual relationships. No individual risk factors were associated with main partner inconsistent condom use; however, impulsivity and anger/hostility positively predicted inconsistent condom use with a casual partner. Relationship control in the main partnership predicted inconsistent condom use with the main partner. Criticism from the main partner positively predicted inconsistent condom use with a casual partner. Finally, expectations for a casual partner’s fidelity positively predicted inconsistent condom use with that partner. These findings underscore the importance of considering the influence of one sexual partnership on behavior in another and of taking this complexity into account in the development of preventive interventions.