Sexual practices of women who have sex with women and condom use

Objective: to analyze the sexual practice of women who have sex with women and its association with condom use. Methods: correlational study involving 231 women who have sex with women, recruited through electronic application (Instagram and WhatsApp). A questionnaire was applied through Google Forms, containing sociodemographic data, sexual history, and the types of sexual practices. Results: most women performed oral sex (86.4%) and manual sex (86.9%) without using condoms. A large proportion (84.8%) reported the use of fomites in sexual practices without condoms. The inexistence of a fixed partnership (p=0.000) and the performance of sex with vaginal contact (p=0.013) were associated with sexual intercourse without condoms. Conclusion: the sexual practice of women who have sex with women points to greater vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections, by practicing oral and vaginal sex with manual practices without the use of barrier methods.

Determinants of condom use during last sexual intercourse among male college youth of Kaski, Nepal: A cross-sectional survey

Background The National Family Planning program of Nepal has introduced the condom as an important family planning method. Despite the continuous effort from the public and private sectors at various levels, its use among youth remains low. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the factors associated with condom use during the last sexual intercourse among male college youth. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study and analyzed the responses of 361 male college youth (aged 19 to 24 years who reported being sexually active preceding six months of the survey), among the 903 participants who reported being involved in vaginal and anal sexual intercourse. The chi-square test was primarily used to find the associated factors and then, stepwise logistic regression was performed by selecting the covariates after the multicollinearity test followed by adjustment of confounders. Results We found that more than one-fourth (27.4%) of the sexually active male youth had used the condoms during their last sexual intercourse. Postgraduate male youth were four times more likely to use the condoms during the last sexual intercourse than undergraduate male youth (AOR = 4.09, 95% CI; 2.08–8.06). Similarly, married youth were less likely to use the condoms during the last sexual intercourse with 95% lower odds than their counterparts (AOR = 0.05, 95% CI; 0.01–0.38). Male youth with adequate knowledge about the condoms were 8 times more likely to use them compared to those with inadequate knowledge (AOR = 8.42, 95% CI; 4.34–16.33). Likewise, male youth with favorable attitude towards the condoms were 2.5 times more likely to use them compared to their counterparts (AOR = 2.58, 95% CI; 1.23–5.42). Similarly, male youth having two or more sex partners were 4.5 times more likely to use the condoms than the youth having only a sex partner (AOR = 4.57, 95% CI; 2.38–8.76). Conclusion The study concluded that slightly more than one-fourth (27.4%) of male college youth in Kaski district used the condoms during their last sexual intercourse. Level of education, marital status, knowledge about condoms, attitude toward condoms, and number of sex partners are the determinants of condom use among male college youth so recommended for early behavioral interventions, especially in knowledge and attitude. Further studies focusing on including the rural youth and larger geography may help to reach a firmer conclusion.

The Role of Objectification in College Women’s Substance Misuse and Sexual Risk

Sexism and objectification present major challenges for mental and physical health among women. Scholars have called for research to identify mechanisms that underlie these associations as well as to delineate factors to target in prevention and intervention efforts. This study aimed to build on central tenets of objectification theory through its examination of sexist experiences in relation to body surveillance, body shame, depressive symptoms, and the health risk behaviors of substance use (i.e., alcohol and drug misuse) and sexual risk (i.e., condom use and number of sexual partners) among a large sample of college student women. We also examined whether body surveillance, body shame, and depressive symptoms would mediate theorized pathways extended to substance use and sexual risk. A sample of 505 full-time college student women ages 18–26 completed an online survey that assessed their health and behaviors. We used structural equation modeling to test mediation hypotheses. Results largely supported hypotheses, extended objectification theory to sexual risk, and expanded upon past research on objectification in relation to substance use. Notably, results of this study provided a more nuanced knowledge of how objectification may lead to increases in sexual risk when assessed by number of sexual partners (but not condom use). Further research is warranted to understand potential explanatory pathways between sexism, objectification, and sexual risk. Findings can inform prevention and intervention efforts to target body surveillance, body shame, and depressive symptoms to attempt to reduce the burden of sexist experiences on women’s health.

Consistent condom utilization and associated factors among HIV positive clients attending ART clinic at Pawi general hospital, North West Ethiopia

Background Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects a highly significant number of people and is responsible for the deaths of many people in sub-Saharan African countries alone. The best prevention method for this virus is through consistent condom utilization which can help to prevent drug-resistant HIV infection and acquisition of new infection. Therefore, this study aimed to assess consistent condom utilization and associated factors among HIV-positive individuals attending an antiretroviral therapy clinic at Pawi general hospital, North West Ethiopia in 2020. Methods An institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among 419 HIV-positive individuals who have follow-up in the Pawi general hospital antiretroviral therapy clinics, from January to February 2020. The study subjects were reached using a systematic sampling technique and data were collected using a pretested and structured questionnaire. Data entry and analysis were performed using epi-data version 3.1 and SPSS version 23 respectively. Binary and multivariable analyses with a 95% confidence level were performed. In the final model, variables with P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results A total of 419 antiretroviral therapy study participants were participated in the study with a response rate of 100%. In this finding, the consistent condom utilization rate was 49.2% [95% CI: 42.2–56.5%]. After controlling for possible confounding factors, the results showed that place of residence [AOR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.05, 4.45], marital status [AOR = 0.19, 95%CI: 0.05, 0.67], number of partners [AOR = 0.19, 95% CI: 0.07, 0.55] and level of education [AOR = 5.33, 95% CI: 1.57, 18.08] were associated factors of consistent condom utilization. Conclusion Consistent condom utilization among HIV-positive clients attending antiretroviral therapy clinics at Pawi general hospital was low. Residence, marital status, level of education and number of partners were significantly associated factors of consistent condom use. Health education program and counseling services should be started to increase knowledge about way of transmission and appropriate use of condoms, increase self-efficacy towards condom use and reduction in the number of sexual partners.

Risk of HIV/STIs among Muslim army conscripts in the three deep southern provinces of Thailand

Background: The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases is an important public health problem, especially in people who are sexually active, such as the army conscript group. However, their knowledge, attitudes, and practices may be influenced by certain cultures and beliefs. This study explored the factors associated with the risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among the Muslim army conscript in three deep southern provinces of Thailand. Methods: The cross-sectional study design was conducted among 360 Muslim army conscripts. A researcher made questionnaire on knowledge of HIV/STI transmission, attitude toward condom use, and sexual behavior was distributed to the participants in a camp base. The association between the potential predictor variables and the risk of HIV/STI was analyzed using the multiple logistic regression. Statistically significant of the association considered a P value ≤ 0.05. Results: The results suggest that most Muslim army conscripts had a poor knowledge level of HIV/STI transmission (78.7%) and that their attitude toward condom use was at a moderate level (60.0%). The predicted factors were marital status [aOR=0.078, 95% CI=0.035-0.172], substance use before having sex [aOR=8.044, 95% CI=1.288-50.230], stimulant use before having sex [aOR=3.632, 95% CI=1.080-12.211], vaginal sexual intercourse [aOR=26.228, 95% CI=8.370-82.189], and oral sexual intercourse [aOR=2.256, 95% CI=1.106-4.601]. Conclusion: A proper sexual health education program should be developed and delivered to enhance knowledge on HIV/STI transmission among Muslim army conscripts.

Evaluating the Home-based Intervention Strategy (HIS-UK) to reduce new chlamydia infection among young men aged 16-25 years by promoting correct and consistent condom use: What is the cost effectiveness of two different delivery models (face-to-face and digital delivery)? Protocol for a randomised controlled trial. (Preprint)

BACKGROUND The health, social, and economic costs of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a major public health concern. Young people are considered one of the groups most at risk for acquiring and transmitting STIs. Correct and consistent condom use has been shown to be the most effective method for reducing STIs; however, condoms are often not used properly. Evidence has shown that brief behavioural change interventions that focus on skills, communication, and motivation to acquire safe sex practices, should be adopted into routine care to reduce STIs. Funding for sexual health services (SHS) in England has declined dramatically, so novel ways of reducing clinic attendance are being sought. The Home-based Intervention Strategy (HIS-UK) to promote condom use among young men has shown promise in feasibility and pilot studies by demonstrating high acceptability of the intervention in participant and health professional feedback, including aiding men to find condoms that they like and to feel more confident when using condoms. OBJECTIVE To determine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of HIS-UK when compared to usual condom distribution care in young men. The three trial arms consisting of ‘eHIS’ (HIS-UK delivered digitally), ‘proHIS’ (HIS-UK delivered face-to-face) and control condition (usual NHS care) will be compared against three primary outcomes: the extent to which they increase correct and consistent condom use, improve condom use experiences (pleasure, fit-and-feel), and reduce chlamydia test positivity. METHODS The study aims to address skills acquisition and motivation to use condoms. Eligibility criteria include men aged 16-25 years at risk of STIs through reporting of condom use errors (i.e. breakage/slippage) or condomless penile-vaginal or penile-anal intercourse with casual/non-regular or new sexual partners during the previous three months. Prospective participants will be recruited through targeted advertisements and an opportunistic direct approach at selected sexual health and genitourinary medicine services and University-associated health centres and GP practices. Community and educational establishments will be used to further advertise the study and signpost men to recruitment sites. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of three trial arms. A repeated measures design will assess the three parallel arms with baseline and 12 monthly follow-up questionnaires post intervention and three chlamydia screening points (baseline, 6 and 12 months). RESULTS Recruitment commenced in March 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the study was halted and has since reopened for recruitment in Summer 2021. CONCLUSIONS If effective and cost-effective, HIS-UK can be scaled up into routine NHS usual care to reduce both STI transmission in young people and pressure on NHS resources. This intervention may further encourage SHSs to adopt further digital technologies, allowing for such services to become more widely available to young people whilst also decreasing health inequalities and fear of stigmatisation. CLINICALTRIAL ISRCTN: 11400820, October 2019