Search

Our objective was to assess human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) knowledge and sexual behaviors in 294 perinatally HIV-infected youth aged 18 to 25 years from a psychosocial support group in Kampala using a self-administered survey. Seventy-nine percent reported an undetectable viral load, 9.5% detectable, and 12% did not know. Of those with sexual partners, 19% did not know the HIV status of their partner, 64% knew negative, and 22% knew positive. Sixty-two percent disclosed their HIV status to their partner. Seventy-two percent of participants previously had sex, and of those, 57% were sexually active in the last three months. Sixty-eight percent of participants used methods to prevent pregnancy. Seventy percent of participants denied physical, sexual, or emotional intimate partner violence. There was good adherence to antiretroviral therapy and a high proportion of contraceptive use, highlighting the importance of integrating these topics into psychosocial support programs for youth living with HIV. Plain Language Summary: Understanding HIV and Sexual Behavior Among Ugandan Youth Who Contracted the Virus at Birth: A Survey We wanted to find out what young people who were born with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Uganda know about the virus and how they handle their relationships. We included 294 young adults from a support group in Kampala. They answered a 25-question survey. Most (79%) reported a very low level of the virus in their blood, 9.5% reported a detectable level, and 12% did not know their viral load in their blood. Of those with sexual partners, 19% did not know their partner's HIV status, 64% knew their partner was negative, and 22% knew they were positive. A total of 62% had told their partner about their HIV status. A total of 72% had sex before, and of those, 57% were sexually active in the last 3 months. A total of 68% of participants regularly used methods to prevent pregnancy. A total of 70% of participants said they had not experienced physical, sexual, or emotional violence in a relationship. In general, young people with HIV in the study knew a lot about their viral load and their partner's HIV status. There were low rates of violence between partners. However, there were some gaps in knowledge about preventing pregnancy and sharing HIV status, so it is important to include these topics more in education and support programs for young people with HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In adolescents sexual risk behaviours are believed to enhance the transmission of HIV infection. This study, therefore aims to examine prevalent sexual risk behaviours of adolescents in secondary schools in a town in northern Nigeria and its relation to HIV infection. Method: A total of 883 subjects drawn from 10 schools out of 37, were recruited for the study. Structured self administered questionnaire was given to each subject. Consenting subjects received group pretest counseling and had HIV screening using Determine HIV test kits. HIV positive subjects had confirmatory test using Unigold test kit. Result: Males accounted for 42.5% (374) out of the 883 students studied. Of this, 169 (19.2%) were sexually active. Mean age at sexual debut was 13.8±2.9 years; 13.3±2.7 years for males and 14.6±3.2 years for females, p=0.006. Males 101 (27%) were more sexually experienced as against 13.4% of the females, p

Alexis R Long, David E Vance, Pariya L Fazeli School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USACorrespondence: Alexis R Long, School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1720 2nd Ave South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA, Email alexirl@uab.eduAbstract: This concept analysis aims to create an understanding of sexual risk behavior (SRB) definitions among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults. SRBs are inconsistently defined across research and clinical practice among TGD adults. One major consequence of SRBs is risk of sexually transmitted infections (STI). TGD populations experience a high burden of STIs, but the varied ways in which SRBs are evaluated do not give sufficient information for researchers to examine nuanced predictors and outcomes of SRBs, which are ultimately needed to develop targeted interventions for reduction of risk behaviors. This concept analysis was conducted using Rodgers’ evolutionary method which guided the literature search, data analysis, and results. The articles included in this analysis were gathered from PubMed, CINAHL, and Embase. After title and abstract screenings, 95 articles were reviewed in full, and 63 articles were included within this analysis. Consistent antecedents of SRB were socioeconomic status, race, gender, violence, alcohol/drug use, and mental health. Attributes included several ways of defining SRBs such as frequency of condom use and type of partners. The most consistent outcome of SRBs was contraction of STIs and subsequent health problems. Few studies examined mental health outcomes of SRBs. Future research should create a standardized tool for measuring SRBs to inform policy for providing sexual health education to TGD populations, which will ultimately decrease disparities in STIs.Keywords: transgender care, sexual risk behavior, sexual health

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to occur at high levels. According to the WHO, each year there are an estimated 374 million new infections with syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. STIs are associated with an increased risk of acquiring HIV infection. Migrants are reportedly highly affected by STIs. Objectives: This study aims to characterize factors associated with STIs in a population of HIV-positive migrants living in Portugal. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional observational study of 265 newly diagnosed HIV-1 positive migrants, who were defined as individuals born outside Portugal. This group of people were part of the BESTHOPE study that was developed in 17 Portuguese hospitals between September 2014 and December 2019, and included information collected through sociodemographic and behavioral questionnaires filled in by the migrant patients, clinical questionnaires filled in by the clinicians and HIV-1 genomic sequences generated through resistance testing (Sanger sequencing). A multivariable statistical analysis was used to analyze the association between sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, HIV testing and sexual infections. Results: Most HIV-1 positive individuals included in the study were men (66.8%) and aged between 25 and 44 years old (59.9%). Men had a higher proportion of STIs when compared to women (40.4% vs. 14.0%) and the majority of men reported homosexual contacts (52.0%). Most men reported having had two or more occasional sexual partners in the previous year (88.8%) and 50.9% reported always using condoms with occasional partners, while 13.2% never used it. For regular partners, only 29.5% of the women reported using condoms, compared to 47.3% of men. Other risk behaviors for acquiring HIV, such as tattooing and performing invasive medical procedures, were more prevalent in men (38.0% and 46.2%, respectively), when compared to women (30.4% and 45.1% respectively) and 4.7% of men reported having already shared injectable materials, with no data for comparison in the case for women. Additionally, 23.9% of women reported having had a blood transfusion while only 10.3% of men reported having had this medical procedure. Meanwhile, 30.9% of the individuals reported having been diagnosed with some type of STI in the last 12 months. In addition, 43.3% of individuals that answered a question about hepatitis reported to be infected with hepatitis B, while 13.0% reported having hepatitis C infection. According to the multivariable analysis, the only transmission route was significantly associated with reports of previous STI infection: men who have sex with men (MSM) were 70% more likely to have been diagnosed with an STI in the past 12 months compared to the heterosexual route. Conclusion: HIV-1 infected men were more likely to report previous STIs than women. On the other hand, most migrant women had a regular sexual partner and never or only sometimes used condoms. This somewhat discrepant findings suggest that gender inequalities may make women unable to negotiate safe sexual practices, resulting in increased susceptibility to infection. However, since migrant women report less STIs, we cannot exclude that these STIs may remain undiagnosed. The implementation of safer sex awareness campaigns for condom use and screening for STIs in women is crucial. On the other hand, health education campaigns for STI knowledge need to be implemented for both MSM and women and their partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introduction: Drug use behaviors are closely associated with increased risk for HIV and other STIs among men who have sex with men (MSM) globally. Less is known about the drug use characteristics and their association with HIV/STI risk among MSM in Mexico, who have 13 times higher risk of acquiring HIV than the general population. We characterized distinct classes of drug use behaviors among a nationwide sample of MSM in Mexico and tested their associations with HIV risk behaviors. Methods: We used latent class analysis (LCA) to analyze injection/non-injection drug use data collected by the online Encuesta de Sexo Entre Hombres self-administered survey among 15,875 MSM living in Mexico between May-June 2017. MSM were recruited on general social media sites (e.g. Facebook and Twitter), popular LGBT + focused web pages (e.g. Soy Homosensual and Desastre), and dating apps (e.g. Grindr and Hornet). We used robust Poisson regression to examine associations between drug use classes and recent sexual risk behaviors while adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Results: Most participants were under 30 years of age (65.5%), received a Bachelor’s degree or higher (65.2%), gay-identified (82.5%), HIV negative (58.1%), and lived in the Mexico City/State of Mexico region (34.5%). We identified five distinct drug use classes: Limited Drug Use (75.4%), Marijuana Only (15.1%), Sex Event Popper + Marijuana (4.3%), Club Drug + Marijuana (4.2%), and Elevated Polydrug Use (1.0%). Compared to the Limited Drug Use class, participants in all other drug use classes were significantly more likely to engage in condomless anal intercourse (aPR = 1.14–1.39; p

The purpose of the study was to determine how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) relate to adulthood flourishing, symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatization, self-reported health, sexual risk behaviors, and alcohol consumption. A quantitative cross-sectional methodology was used. A total of 452 adults completed the survey. The most prevalent ACE include physical abuse (44.69%), separation/divorce of parents (41.81%), living with someone with alcohol problems (39.38%), and being sworn, insulted, or humiliated by adults at home (35.62%). Almost one out of every four respondents (24.34%) reported being touched by an adult, 17.92% reported that an adult tried to manipulate the respondent into touching them, and 8.19% were forced to have sexual intercourse. Results indicate that women reported a higher number of ACE than men. The number of ACE is inversely related to flourishing and self-reported health; while being positively associated with participant's scores in depression, anxiety, somatization, sexual risk behaviors, and alcohol use. The regression model, including the eleven ACE and respondents' sex and age, achieved medium effect sizes for somatization, depression, and anxiety symptoms and small effect sizes for flourishing, self-reported health, sexual risk behaviors, and alcohol consumption. Specific ACE have a particularly significant negative impact on mental health outcomes: forced intercourse, witnessing familial violence, verbal humiliation, and living with individuals struggling with mental health issues and drug consumption or who were incarcerated. In conclusion, the study highlights the alarming prevalence of ACE among the Honduran population and their significant negative impact on mental health outcomes during adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyse the scientific evidence regarding the factors associated with risk behavior in men in relation to the increase in sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Method: An integrative review based on a bibliographic search of the PubMed, WoS, CINHAL, and Cochrane databases. Results/Discussion: 151 articles were identified applying the following selection criteria: a) use of English or Spanish, and b) publication between 2015 and 2021. 128 articles were discarded after reading the title and abstract, leaving a total of 23. In accordance with the adapted version of the Precede-Proceed Model, the following factors associated with the presence of STIs: predisposing factors: drug use, alcohol, multiple partners, STI diagnosis, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) administration, and sexual orientation; facilitating factors of risk behavior: unprotected sexual intercourse, needle exchange; and reinforcing factors/predictors of behavior change: early diagnosis, use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), educational interventions and health programs. All these factors should be considered in a socio-demographic and cultural context along with factors such as age, country of origin, migrant status, work or income level, and educational level. Conclusion: The prevalence of STIs has decreased, but further improvements are necessary. Identification of all the factors associated with risk behavior and the application of the Precede-Proceed method can help to strengthen the impact of educational interventions designed by health professionals with regard to changing sexual behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Sexual risk behavior in patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) is supposed to be associated with traumatic experiences and dissociative symptoms. Nevertheless, scientific research thereon is scarce which might be due to the high prevalence of sexual trauma and fear of overwhelming patients with explicit sexual content. Methods We investigated a clinical sample of patients diagnosed with BPD (n = 114) and compared them to a sample of matched healthy controls (HC) (n = 114) concerning the dissociative symptoms derealization, depersonalization, and conversion in sexual situations. In a subgroup of patients with BPD (n = 41) and matched HC (n = 40) dissociative symptoms after exposure to an acoustically presented erotic narrative were assessed in the lab. Regression analyses were used to examine the associations between sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociation in sexual situations, and risky sexual behavior. Results Patients diagnosed with BPD endorsed higher dissociative symptoms in sexual situations retrospectively and in the lab compared to HC. Regression analyses revealed that depersonalization and conversion symptoms in sexual situations were explained by severity of BPD, while derealization was explained by PTSD symptomatology. Impulsive and sexual behavior with an uncommitted partner were higher in the BPD group and explained by derealization, while conversion showed an inverse association. Conclusion Our findings highlight the importance of addressing distinct dissociative symptoms in sexual situations when counselling and treating women with BPD. In the long term, this could contribute to a reduction in sexual risk behavior in patients with BPD. Trial registration This analysis is part of a larger ongoing study and was registered prior to accessing the data (Registration trial DRKS00029716).

Abstract Background The interplay of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) knowledge and self-perception of risk for HIV among people who inject drugs is complex and understudied, especially among temporary migrant workers who inject drugs (MWID) while in a host country. In Russia, Tajik migrants make up the largest proportion of Moscow’s foreign labor. Yet, HIV knowledge and self-perceived risk in association with sexual risk behavior among male Tajik MWID in Moscow remains unknown. Objective This research examines knowledge about HIV transmission, self-perception of HIV risk, and key psychosocial factors that possibly contribute to sexual risk behaviors among male Tajik labor MWID living in Moscow. Methods Structured interviews were conducted with 420 male Tajik labor MWID. Modified Poisson regression models investigated possible associations between major risk factors and HIV sexual risk behavior. Results Of the 420 MWID, 255 men (61%) reported sexual activity in the last 30 days. Level of HIV knowledge was not associated in either direction with condom use or risky sexual partnering, as measured by sex with multiple partners or female sex workers (FSW). Lower self-perceived HIV risk was associated with a greater likelihood of sex with multiple partners (aPR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.34, 2.40) and FSW (aPR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.59), but was not associated with condom use. Police-enacted stigma was associated with sex with multiple partners (aPR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.49) and FSW (aPR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.54). While depression and lower levels of loneliness were associated with condomless sex (aPR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.24; aPR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.92, respectively), only depression was associated with condomless sex with FSW (aPR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.54). Conclusions HIV prevention programing for male Tajik MWID must go beyond solely educating about factors associated with HIV transmission to include increased awareness of personal risk based on engaging in these behaviors. Additionally, psychological services to counter depression and police-enacted stigma are needed.

Background: Normative perceptions are strongly related to risk behaviors among emerging adults but the role of gender-specific normative perceptions remain unclear. Objectives: The current study examined the differential effects of same-gender and gender-neutral normative perceptions on self-reported substance use and sexual risk behavior. College students (n = 389, ages 18-25) reported binge drinking, cannabis use and prescription drug misuse, sexual risk behavior, and the perceived frequency of these behaviors by both the average- and same-gender adult. Results: Binge drinking was positively associated with same-gender norms only, whereas cannabis use and sexual risk behavior were also positively associated with gender-neutral norms perceptions. For binge drinking only, same-gender norms explained more variance in behavior than gender-neutral norms. Conclusions: Findings indicate perceptions of same-gender norms play a particularly important role in binge drinking during this developmental period. Interventions targeting emerging adult risk behavior should include within-group normative perceptions related to demographic and social group characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex mental health condition characterized by emotional dysregulation, impulsivity, and unstable interpersonal relationships. Some individuals with BPD regularly engage in sexual risk behavior such as unprotected sex and are at higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. This study investigates discounting of condom- or dental dam-protected sex in women with BPD compared with a control group. Methods: Data were collected from 40 women diagnosed with BPD and 40 healthy controls with an average age of 27.28 years (SD 5 6.14) using the Sexual Delay Discounting Task (SDT), the Borderline Symptom List-23 (BSL-23), and the Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder Scale-19 (CSBD-19). Results: Women with BPD were less likely to use an immediately available condom or dental dam and more likely to discount safer sex than controls. Partner desirability and the perceived STI risk influenced the participants' likelihood of having protected sex. Women with BPD showed more symptoms of compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) than controls. However, sexual delay discounting was not significantly correlated with borderline symptoms or CSB in the BPD group. Discussion and conclusions: These findings contribute to our understanding of sexual impulsivity in women with BPD and highlight the omission and delayed availability of safety measures as important contributors to sexual risk behavior and STI risk in women. Impulsive sexual behavior, as well as the accompanying sexual health concerns, should receive special attention in the treatment of women with BPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the proportion of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) diagnoses among women in the United States has more than doubled between 1984 and 2019 and rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in all individuals increased 30% between 2015 and 2019. Further, the CDC has designated women ages 13 to 44 years as a group vulnerable to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and STD infection, in part due to frequency of engaging in sexual risk behaviors. Sexual self-efficacy is associated with decreased sexual risk behaviors and counters norms that emphasize passivity and compliance as traditional sexual behavior in women. In the current study, we assessed knowledge of HIV and STD transmission and risk factors, sexual self-efficacy, and frequency of sexual risk behaviors in 281 woman-identified respondents aged 18–44 years in an online survey. Knowledge of HIV and STDs was low (averages of 63.3% and 49.9%, respectively). Younger women, and women who identified as single, White, and/or LGBTQ+ reported more sexual risk behaviors. HIV knowledge and sexual self-efficacy were independently associated with fewer risk behaviors and significantly interacted to predict sexual risk behaviors. STD knowledge and sexual self-efficacy were independently associated with fewer sexual risk behaviors. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive, widespread, and identity-inclusive sexual health education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In Australia, a man cannot donate blood if he has had sex with another man within the past 3 months. However, this policy has been criticized as being discriminatory as it does not consider lower risk subgroups, and led to calls for modifications to the policy that more accurately distinguish risk among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM). Study Design and Methods: We used data from a nationally representative survey to estimate the proportion of GBM aged 18–74 years old who would be eligible to donate under current criteria and other scenarios. Results: Among the 5178 survey participants, 155 (3.0%) were classified as GBM based on survey responses, Among the GBM, 40.2% (95% CI 28.0%–53.7%) were eligible to donate based on current criteria, and 21.0% (95% CI 14.5%–29.5%) were ineligible due to the 3 months deferral alone. Eligibility among GBM, all men, and the population increased as criteria were removed. Under the new Australian plasma donation criteria, 73.6% (95% CI 64.4%–81.1%) of GBM, 68.4% (95% CI 65.5%–71.2%) of all men, and 60.8% (95% CI 58.8%–62.8%) of the full population were estimated to be eligible. Only 16.1% (95% CI 8.6%–28.1%) of GBM knew that the male‐to‐male sex deferral period is 3 months. Discussion: Changing the deferral criteria and sexual risk evaluation would lead to a higher proportion of GBM being eligible to donate blood. Knowledge of the current GBM deferral period is very low. Improved education about the current criteria and any future changes are required to improve blood donation rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is prevalent among HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM), with well-established risk factors and adverse outcomes. However, there is a lack of comprehensive investigation of both upstream risk factors and downstream adverse outcomes among HIV-infected MSM in a Chinese context. This study aimed to examine IPV and its associations among a Chinese sample of HIV-infected MSM. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 294 HIV-infected MSM in Jinan City from June to December 2020. All data were collected through an online questionnaire, which included IPV, sexual risk behavior, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to examine risk factors and adverse outcomes of IPV. Results: Of the 294 HIV-infected MSM, 71.1% experienced any IPV, including control (37.1%), threat of public identity (30.6%), emotional violence (25.2%), security threat (18.4%), and physical violence (13.9%). The prevalence of sexual risk behavior, good ART adherence, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation was 55.1%, 53.4%, 48.3%, 32.3%, and 65.0%, respectively. Abuse of methamphetamine (METH) (aOR:2.79; 95%CI:1.43 ~ 5.45), capsule 0 or stimulating liquid (aOR:2.68; 95%CI:1.31 ~ 5.47), Magu (aOR:3.16; 95%CI:1.51 ~ 6.60), and other new drugs (aOR:2.87; 95%CI:1.52 ~ 5.43), disclosing HIV infection to partners (aOR:2.03; 95%CI:1.10 ~ 3.78), and gay sexual orientation (aOR = 3.32; 95%CI: 1.82 ~ 6.05) were significantly correlated with the experience of IPV. In addition, IPV was significantly associated with sexual risk behavior (aOR = 2.02; 95%CI:1.16 ~ 3.53), ART adherence (aOR = 2.63; 95%CI:1.46 ~ 4.74), depression (aOR = 3.83; 95%CI:2.09 ~ 7.02), anxiety (aOR = 2.27; 95%CI:1.19 ~ 4.35), and suicidal ideation (aOR = 3.78; 95%CI:2.11 ~ 6.80). Conclusions: IPV is prevalent among HIV-infected MSM and is associated with poor behavioral and mental health, highlighting more efforts are needed to address this issue. The finding that new drug abuse, HIV disclosure, and gay sexual orientation are associated with increased risk of IPV provides essential insights for the development of comprehensive and targeted IPV prevention and intervention programs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonconsensual condom removal (NCCR; also known as "stealthing") involves the removal of a condom before or during sexual intercourse without a partner's sexual consent. Within the past several years, nations across the globe have codified NCCR as a form of sexual violence penalized by civil and/or criminal penalties. Given the recent legal attention to this behavior, we performed a scoping review of the peer-reviewed, empirical, English-language studies conducted on NCCR in order to summarize the current state of this field of research. Our scoping review yielded 27 articles meeting study inclusion criteria. Data on NCCR victimization and perpetration prevalence rates and correlates, as well as perceptions of NCCR, were extracted. The majority of the reviewed studies were conducted within the past 5 years and pertained to NCCR victimization. Rates of NCCR victimization ranged from 7.9% to 43.0% for women and 5.0% to 19.0% for men who have sex with men; rates of NCCR perpetration ranged from 5.1% to 9.8% for men and 0% for women. NCCR correlates included sociodemographic variables, relationship type, psychological factors, and sexual health concerns. Perceptions of NCCR were largely negative. The nascent field of NCCR research provides empirical evidence from several countries regarding concerning rates of NCCR. Building upon this foundation, continued research regarding NCCR is imperative. Studies that further delineate NCCR prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes would provide critical information beneficial to the development of evidence-based prevention and intervention programs targeting reductions in NCCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is prevalent among HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM), with well-established risk factors and adverse outcomes. However, there is a lack of comprehensive investigation of both upstream risk factors and downstream adverse outcomes among HIV-infected MSM in a Chinese context. This study aimed to examine IPV and its associations among a Chinese sample of HIV-infected MSM. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 294 HIV-infected MSM in Jinan City from June to December 2020. All data were collected through an online questionnaire, which included IPV, sexual risk behavior, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to examine risk factors and adverse outcomes of IPV. Results Of the 294 HIV-infected MSM, 71.1% experienced any IPV, including control (37.1%), threat of public identity (30.6%), emotional violence (25.2%), security threat (18.4%), and physical violence (13.9%). The prevalence of sexual risk behavior, good ART adherence, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation was 55.1%, 53.4%, 48.3%, 32.3%, and 65.0%, respectively. Abuse of methamphetamine (METH) (aOR:2.79; 95%CI:1.43 ~ 5.45), capsule 0 or stimulating liquid (aOR:2.68; 95%CI:1.31 ~ 5.47), Magu (aOR:3.16; 95%CI:1.51 ~ 6.60), and other new drugs (aOR:2.87; 95%CI:1.52 ~ 5.43), disclosing HIV infection to partners (aOR:2.03; 95%CI:1.10 ~ 3.78), and gay sexual orientation (aOR = 3.32; 95%CI: 1.82 ~ 6.05) were significantly correlated with the experience of IPV. In addition, IPV was significantly associated with sexual risk behavior (aOR = 2.02; 95%CI:1.16 ~ 3.53), ART adherence (aOR = 2.63; 95%CI:1.46 ~ 4.74), depression (aOR = 3.83; 95%CI:2.09 ~ 7.02), anxiety (aOR = 2.27; 95%CI:1.19 ~ 4.35), and suicidal ideation (aOR = 3.78; 95%CI:2.11 ~ 6.80). Conclusions IPV is prevalent among HIV-infected MSM and is associated with poor behavioral and mental health, highlighting more efforts are needed to address this issue. The finding that new drug abuse, HIV disclosure, and gay sexual orientation are associated with increased risk of IPV provides essential insights for the development of comprehensive and targeted IPV prevention and intervention programs in the future.

Abstract Background The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a global health burden, and despite the advancements in antiretroviral therapy and various strategies employed to curb HIV infections, the incidence of HIV remains disproportionately high among women. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of the risk factors for the acquisition of HIV among sexually active women in Rwanda. Methods Secondary data from the 2020 Rwanda Demographic Health Survey, comprising 10,684 sexually active women, was used. Multistage stratified sampling was employed to select the study participants. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine the associated risk factors using the SPSS (version 25). Results Of the 10,684 sexually active women, 28.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 27.5–29.4) had at least one risk factor for HIV acquisition. Having no education (AOR = 3.65, 95%CI: 2.16–6.16), being unmarried (AOR = 4.50, 95%CI: 2.47–8.21), being from female-headed households (AOR = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.42–2.15), not having health insurance (AOR = 1.34, 95%CI: 1.09–1.65), no HIV test history (AOR = 1.44, 95%CI: 1.01–2.08), being from the poorest wealth quintile (AOR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.14–2.27) and lack of exposure to mass media (AOR = 1.30, 95%CI: 1.07–1.58) were associated with higher odds of exposure to at least one HIV acquisition risk factor. In contrast, age groups of 25–34 (AOR = 0.56, 95%CI: 0.44–0.71) and 35–44 years (AOR = 0.62, 95%CI: 0.48–0.80), rural residence (AOR = 0.63, 95%CI: 0.49–0.81) and being from the western region (AOR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.48–0.94) were associated with less odds of exposure to at least one HIV acquisition risk factor. Conclusion More than a quarter of sexually active women in Rwanda had exposure to at least one risk factor for HIV acquisition. There is a need to maximize the use of mass media in disseminating HIV prevention and behavioral change messages. Engagement of religious leaders and promotion of HIV testing, especially among the never-testers, may be vital strategies in successful HIV prevention programs.

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) continue to occur at high levels. According to the WHO, each year there are an estimated 374 million new infections with syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis. STIs are associated with an increased risk of acquiring HIV infection. Migrants are reportedly highly affected by STIs. Objectives: This study aims to characterize factors associated with STIs in a population of HIV-positive migrants living in Portugal. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional observational study of 265 newly diagnosed HIV-1 positive migrants, who were defined as individuals born outside Portugal. This group of people were part of the BESTHOPE study that was developed in 17 Portuguese hospitals between September 2014 and December 2019, and included information collected through sociodemographic and behavioral questionnaires filled in by the migrant patients, clinical questionnaires filled in by the clinicians and HIV-1 genomic sequences generated through resistance testing (Sanger sequencing). A multivariable statistical analysis was used to analyze the association between sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, HIV testing and sexual infections. Results: Most HIV-1 positive individuals included in the study were men (66.8%) and aged between 25 and 44 years old (59.9%). Men had a higher proportion of STIs when compared to women (40.4% vs. 14.0%) and the majority of men reported homosexual contacts (52.0%). Most men reported having had two or more occasional sexual partners in the previous year (88.8%) and 50.9% reported always using condoms with occasional partners, while 13.2% never used it. For regular partners, only 29.5% of the women reported using condoms, compared to 47.3% of men. Other risk behaviors for acquiring HIV, such as tattooing and performing invasive medical procedures, were more prevalent in men (38.0% and 46.2%, respectively), when compared to women (30.4% and 45.1% respectively) and 4.7% of men reported having already shared injectable materials, with no data for comparison in the case for women. Additionally, 23.9% of women reported having had a blood transfusion while only 10.3% of men reported having had this medical procedure. Meanwhile, 30.9% of the individuals reported having been diagnosed with some type of STI in the last 12 months. In addition, 43.3% of individuals that answered a question about hepatitis reported to be infected with hepatitis B, while 13.0% reported having hepatitis C infection. According to the multivariable analysis, the only transmission route was significantly associated with reports of previous STI infection: men who have sex with men (MSM) were 70% more likely to have been diagnosed with an STI in the past 12 months compared to the heterosexual route. Conclusion: HIV-1 infected men were more likely to report previous STIs than women. On the other hand, most migrant women had a regular sexual partner and never or only sometimes used condoms. This somewhat discrepant findings suggest that gender inequalities may make women unable to negotiate safe sexual practices, resulting in increased susceptibility to infection. However, since migrant women report less STIs, we cannot exclude that these STIs may remain undiagnosed. The implementation of safer sex awareness campaigns for condom use and screening for STIs in women is crucial. On the other hand, health education campaigns for STI knowledge need to be implemented for both MSM and women and their partners.

Sexual activity among adolescents is increasingly alarming; the results of a national survey identified about 4.5% of teenage boys and 0.7% of teenage girls have had sexual intercourse that triggers unwanted pregnancies. This study analyzed the influence of risky sexual behavior factors in adolescents on the incidence of unwanted pregnancy. This research is a secondary data analysis sourced from Indonesian Demographic and Health Survey (IDHS) data in 2017 using a cross-sectional design. The study sampled 15-24-year-olds who had sexual intercourse with as many as 1532 people. Data were analyzed univariately while bivariate analysis using Chi-Square test and multivariate analysis with logistic regression test of the risk factor model. The results showed unwanted pregnancy occurred in 8.6% of adolescents who had a history of having sexual intercourse. In addition, it will be 4.5 times greater risk of unwanted pregnancy occurred in adolescents who performed risky behaviors such as fingering and stimulating each other after being controlled by variable confounding age and age when first having sex (PR = 4.570). Therefore, equal access to reproductive health education is needed both in educational institutions and in the community as an effort to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

Background: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is prevalent among HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM), with well-established risk factors and adverse outcomes. However, there is a lack of comprehensive investigation of both upstream risk factors and downstream adverse outcomes among HIV-infected MSM in a Chinese context. This study aimed to examine IPV and its associations among a Chinese sample of HIV-infected MSM. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 294 HIV-infected MSM in Jinan City from June to December 2020. All data were collected through an online questionnaire, which included IPV, sexual risk behavior, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to examine risk factors and adverse outcomes of IPV. Results: Of the 294 HIV-infected MSM, 71.1% experienced any IPV, including control (37.1%), threat of public identity (30.6%), emotional violence (25.2%), security threat (18.4%), and physical violence (13.9%). The prevalence of sexual risk behavior, good ART adherence, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation was 55.1%, 53.4%, 48.3%, 32.3%, and 65.0%, respectively. Abuse of methamphetamine (METH) (aOR:2.79; 95%CI:1.43 ~ 5.45), capsule 0 or stimulating liquid (aOR:2.68; 95%CI:1.31 ~ 5.47), Magu (aOR:3.16; 95%CI:1.51 ~ 6.60), and other new drugs (aOR:2.87; 95%CI:1.52 ~ 5.43), disclosing HIV infection to partners (aOR:2.03; 95%CI:1.10 ~ 3.78), and gay sexual orientation (aOR = 3.32; 95%CI: 1.82 ~ 6.05) were significantly correlated with the experience of IPV. In addition, IPV was significantly associated with sexual risk behavior (aOR = 2.02; 95%CI:1.16 ~ 3.53), ART adherence (aOR = 2.63; 95%CI:1.46 ~ 4.74), depression (aOR = 3.83; 95%CI:2.09 ~ 7.02), anxiety (aOR = 2.27; 95%CI:1.19 ~ 4.35), and suicidal ideation (aOR = 3.78; 95%CI:2.11 ~ 6.80). Conclusions: IPV is prevalent among HIV-infected MSM and is associated with poor behavioral and mental health, highlighting more efforts are needed to address this issue. The finding that new drug abuse, HIV disclosure, and gay sexual orientation are associated with increased risk of IPV provides essential insights for the development of comprehensive and targeted IPV prevention and intervention programs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a global health burden, and despite the advancements in antiretroviral therapy and various strategies employed to curb HIV infections, the incidence of HIV remains disproportionately high among women. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of the risk factors for the acquisition of HIV among sexually active women in Rwanda. Methods: Secondary data from the 2020 Rwanda Demographic Health Survey, comprising 10,684 sexually active women, was used. Multistage stratified sampling was employed to select the study participants. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to determine the associated risk factors using the SPSS (version 25). Results: Of the 10,684 sexually active women, 28.7% (95% confidence interval (CI): 27.5–29.4) had at least one risk factor for HIV acquisition. Having no education (AOR = 3.65, 95%CI: 2.16–6.16), being unmarried (AOR = 4.50, 95%CI: 2.47–8.21), being from female-headed households (AOR = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.42–2.15), not having health insurance (AOR = 1.34, 95%CI: 1.09–1.65), no HIV test history (AOR = 1.44, 95%CI: 1.01–2.08), being from the poorest wealth quintile (AOR = 1.61, 95%CI: 1.14–2.27) and lack of exposure to mass media (AOR = 1.30, 95%CI: 1.07–1.58) were associated with higher odds of exposure to at least one HIV acquisition risk factor. In contrast, age groups of 25–34 (AOR = 0.56, 95%CI: 0.44–0.71) and 35–44 years (AOR = 0.62, 95%CI: 0.48–0.80), rural residence (AOR = 0.63, 95%CI: 0.49–0.81) and being from the western region (AOR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.48–0.94) were associated with less odds of exposure to at least one HIV acquisition risk factor. Conclusion: More than a quarter of sexually active women in Rwanda had exposure to at least one risk factor for HIV acquisition. There is a need to maximize the use of mass media in disseminating HIV prevention and behavioral change messages. Engagement of religious leaders and promotion of HIV testing, especially among the never-testers, may be vital strategies in successful HIV prevention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An understanding of sexual (risk) behavior is necessary to successfully develop prevention and care strategies for the sexually transmitted infections (STI) high-risk group of male sex workers who have sex with men (MSW–MSM). However, limited scientific knowledge is available on sexual (risk) behavior of (home-based) MSW–MSM. This study aimed to gain an understanding of sexual (risk) behavior, factors influencing sexual (risk) behavior, and applied risk-reduction strategies of home-based MSW–MSM. For this qualitative study, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 20 home-based MSW–MSM in the Netherlands. The interviews' recordings were transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed with Atlas.ti 8. Condom use was reported to be high during anal sex, but low during oral sex and mostly determined by STI risk perception, trust in clients, and sexual pleasure. Many experienced condom failure, while few knew what to do after condom failure and were aware of post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Many MSW–MSM had chemsex in the past 6 months in order to loosen up and enhance sexual pleasure. Some were not vaccinated against hepatitis B virus (HBV), mainly due to the lack of information and awareness of HBV vaccination and low risk perception of HBV. The results of this study can be used to tailor future STI/HIV risk-reduction strategies for home-based MSW–MSM and to increase awareness and uptake of available STI/HIV prevention strategies such as P(r)EP and HBV vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) are disproportionately likely to engage in sexual risk behavior, including sex with a secondary partner (i.e., sex partners outside their primary relationship). Social disconnection has been identified as a social determinant of health that may enhance understanding of sex with a secondary partner. This study extends past research by using an intensive longitudinal design consisting of multiple daily assessments to examine event-level associations between women IPV survivors' social disconnection and sex with a secondary partner concurrently (i.e., during the same aggregated assessment) and temporally (i.e., social disconnection during one assessment predicting sex with a secondary partner in a subsequent assessment) over a 14-day period, in consideration of physical, psychological, and sexual IPV, and alcohol and drug use. Participants (N = 244) were recruited from New England through 2017. Results from multilevel logistic regression models indicate that women who experienced greater social disconnection on average were more likely to report sex with a secondary partner. However, after including IPV and substance use in the model, the strength of this relationship was attenuated. Sexual IPV emerged as a between-person predictor of sex with a secondary partner in temporally lagged models. Results provide insight into the relationships between daily social disconnection and sex with a secondary partner among IPV survivors, particularly regarding the effects of substance use and IPV both concurrently and temporally. Taken together, findings emphasize the importance of social connection for women's well-being and highlight the need for interventions that enhance interpersonal connectedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the wealth of research investigating the adverse consequences of bullying, few studies have tested how bullying victimization is related to risky sexual behavior, such as unprotected sex among adolescents. To fill this gap, the current study examined the association between bullying victimization and the non-use of condoms, considering the moderating role of teacher and parental relationships. We employed a series of logistic regression models to examine these relationships among a sample of sexually active Korean adolescents (n = 153; ages 11–17 years old). Results showed that bullying victimization was significantly related to greater non-use of condoms. Moreover, relationships with teachers and parents moderated the impact of bullying victimization on non-use of condoms, suggesting that positive relationships with teachers and parents exerted buffering impacts against sexual risk-taking behavior for bullying victims. Practical implications and suggestions for future research are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arquivos de Ciências da Saúde da UNIPAR is the property of Associacao Paranaense de Ensino e Cultura and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Short-term mobility is often associated with increased sexual risk behavior. Mobile individuals often have higher rates of sexual risk behavior compared to non-mobile individuals, but the reasons why are not clear. Using monthly retrospective panel data from 202 men and 282 women in Agbogbloshie, Ghana, we tested whether short-term mobility was associated with changes in coital frequency, and whether the association was due to the act of travel in the given month (e.g., enabling higher risk behavior), the reason for travel, or an individual's travel propensity at other times in the year. Overnight travel specifically to visit family or friends, or for education, health, or other reasons, was associated with increased coital frequency for men. However, men with higher travel propensities had lower overall coital frequency and the act of traveling enabled more sex only for the most frequent male travelers. Men who seldom traveled had much higher coital frequency, but the act of traveling was not associated with additional sex acts. For women, travel for education, health, or other reasons increased coital frequency. Occasional female travelers had slightly more sex acts compared to non-mobile women, and the act of traveling for these women was associated with slight increases in coital frequency, supporting the enabling hypothesis. Highly mobile women had fewer sex acts per month on average. Our findings suggest that mobility characteristics measured on a broad temporal scale, as well as the reason for mobility, are important to understand the relationship between short-term mobility and sexual behavior.

Being a victim of sexual violence (SV) is generally believed to be associated with subsequent sexual risk behavior (SRB) during adolescence. While this assumption makes intuitive sense, it is based on methodologically limited research, including a reliance on cross-sectional data. To address this gap in research, we test whether experiencing SV victimization in early adolescence is associated with self-reported SRB approximately two years later. The sample comprised 4,618 youth (58% female; 52% Hispanic; 39% Black) attending 44 schools in the southern United States. Self-reported data were collected using an audio computer-assisted self-interview (ACASI). Baseline data were collected when students were in 7th or 8th grade and follow-up data were collected approximately 24 months later when students were in 9th or 10th grade. Indices of SRB included behaviors related to oral, vaginal, and anal sex (e.g., number of partners, number of times without a condom). Girls, but not boys, who reported SV victimization at baseline reported engaging more frequently in all oral and vaginal SRBs at 24 month follow-up compared to their non-victimized female counterparts. Additionally, girls reporting SV victimization reported more anal sex partners than non-victimized girls. Girls who are victims of SV engage in significantly more SRB by early high school placing them at greater risk to contract STIs and become pregnant. Victims of SV should be screened for SRB and provided access to the appropriate resources. Teen pregnancy and STI prevention planning should consider SV victimization in their strategy planning.

Drug use before or during sex is a high-risk sexual behavior associated with adverse health risks and outcomes, such as increasing the likelihood of overdoses and of acquiring sexually-transmitted diseases. This systematic review and meta-analysis of three scientific databases examined the prevalence of the use of intoxicating substances, those tending to excite or stupefy the user on a psychoactive level, before or during sex, among young adults (18–29 years old). A total of 55 unique empirical studies met the inclusion criteria (48,145 individuals; 39% males), were assessed for risk of bias using the tools of Hoy et al. (2012), and were analyzed via a generalized linear mixed-effects model. The results produced a global mean prevalence of this sexual risk behavior of 36.98% (95% CI: 28.28%, 46.63%). Nonetheless, significant differences were identified between different intoxicating substances, with the use of alcohol (35.10%; 95% CI: 27.68%, 43.31%), marijuana (27.80%; 95% CI: 18.24%, 39.92%), and ecstasy (20.90%; 95% CI: 14.34%, 29.45%) significantly more prevalent than that of cocaine (4.32%; 95% CI: 3.64%, 5.11%), heroin (.67%; 95% CI:.09%, 4.65%), methamphetamine (7.10%; 95% CI: 4.57%, 10.88%), and GHB (6.55%; 95% CI: 4.21%, 10.05%). Moderator analyses showed that the prevalence of alcohol use before or during sex differed according to geographical sample origin, and increased as the proportion of ethnic whites in samples increased. The remaining demographic (e.g., gender, age, reference population), sexual (e.g., sexual orientation, sexual activity), health (e.g., drug consumption, STI/STD status), methodological (e.g., sampling technique), and measurement (e.g., timeframe) variables that were examined did not moderate prevalence estimates. Implications for sexual development interventions were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effectiveness of a school-based pregnancy prevention intervention. 73 female and male teenagers were recruited from an urban secondary school and randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups. The females were aged 13–15 years, and the boyfriends were aged 13–18 years. The intervention was implemented in six sessions over six weeks. Sessions 1–4 were conducted at the school, and sessions 5–6 were delivered via a smartphone messaging application. The outcomes included sexual health literacy, pregnancy prevention behaviors, and sexual risk behaviors. They were measured three times: at baseline (week 0, T1), immediately post-intervention (week 6, T2), and follow-up (week 10, T3). Two-way mixed repeated measure ANOVA was used to determine the differences of the outcomes. After completion of the intervention, participants in the intervention group had significantly higher sexual health literacy both at T2 and T3 and better pregnancy prevention behavior. They had lower sexual risk behaviors at T3 than the control group. The results indicate that the school-based pregnancy prevention intervention is effective. It improved the outcomes in female teenagers and their boyfriends at six weeks and 10 weeks post-intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Risky sexual deviations in adolescents are habits that include having sex at an early age, using condoms that are inconsistent, having more than one sexual partner or being a commercial sex worker. Communication between parents and children plays an important role in fostering the relationship between the two and parents who are less able to communicate with their children will cause relationship conflict so that it can have an impact on adolescent sexual behavior. This study aims to estimate the influence of parental monitoring and parental communication on sexual risk behavior in adolescents based on the results of primary research. Subjects and Method: This was a review of meta-analytic studies and this article was obtained from databases namely PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Spinger Link and Science Direct. The articles used in this study are articles published from 2012-2022. The article search was carried out by considering the eligibility criteria defined using the PICO model, namely P: Adolescents, I: Parental monitoring and parental communication C: No parental monitoring and no parental communication O: Sexual risky behavior. The articles included in this research are full text articles with a cross-sectional study design. This article was analyzed using the Review Manager 5.3 application. Results: A total of 17 cross-sectional studies from 5 Americas, 1 Europe, 2 Asia and 9 Africa with a sample size of 13,404. The results of the meta-analysis showed that adolescents with parental monitoring reduced risky sexual behavior 0.84 times compared to those without parental monitoring, but the effect was not statistically significant (aOR=0.84; 95% CI=0.61-1.17; p=0.300), adolescents without parental communication has the possibility of having risky sexual behavior 1.26 times compared to adolescents who communicate with parents (aOR=1.26; 95% CI 0.81-1.95; p= 0.310) which is not statistically significant. The results of research on parental monitoring showed that there was high heterogeneity (I2=74%; p=0.001) and parental communication (I2=90%; p<0.001), so that the average effect estimation calculation on the forest plot used the random effect model. Conclusion: Parental monitoring and parental communication have no effect on sexual risk behavior in adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: sexual risk behaviors compromise sexual and reproductive health, in addition to psychological and social development, and are more frequent in adolescents and young people. Objective: to characterize sexual risk behaviors in females at the University Residence of Medical Sciences. Methods: a descriptive research was carried out from February to June 2022. Population: 102 first-year female medical students of the University Student Residence. Sample: 60 students selected in a non-probabilistic way, intentionally by criteria. The instruments used were a questionnaire (demographic data and sexual characteristics) and a group interview and an in-depth interview (sexual risk behaviors). Results: the average age was 18 years (46, 76.7%) and the urban area was the most frequent place of origin (81.8%). Students with heterosexual sexual orientation stood out (85.0%), with a higher frequency of urban residence (90.9%) than rural (81.6%). The age of initiation of sexual relations predominated between 14 and 16 years of age (63.3%), with higher frequencies in rural residential areas (57.2%). Risky sexual behaviors in 76 females: sexual contact without oral-genital protection, early sexual debut, continuous experience of changing partners, unplanned sexual relations under the influence of alcohol and unplanned pregnancies, and three also practiced transactional sex. It is noteworthy that only 26 females showed responsible sexual behaviors. Conclusions: the group under study was characterized by risky sexual behaviors. All this calls for prompt action by health personnel to provide the necessary tools to deal with this situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cisgender men partnered with transgender women are an understudied and hard to engage population in HIV prevention efforts. Relationship stigma-the anticipation of negative treatment based on having a relationship with a member of a stigmatized group-has been linked to adverse health behaviors, but it remains unclear whether different sources of relationship stigma (i.e., family, friends, and the general public) are associated with HIV risk behaviors and whether these associations may vary by men's sexual identities (e.g., gay, bisexual, and heterosexual). The current study examined associations between relationship stigma and HIV risk behaviors and whether these associations were moderated by sexual identity. We recruited a convenience sample of 185 cisgender men in primary partnerships with transgender women to participate in a one-time survey. Gay identified men reported greater levels of relationship stigma from the general public compared with heterosexually identified men. In multivariable models, higher levels of relationship stigma from the public were associated with increased odds of engaging in drug use prior to having condomless sex and receiving an STI diagnosis in the last 30 days. There were significant interaction effects such that higher levels of relationship stigma from the public were associated with both indicators of HIV risk for gay identified men but not for heterosexually identified men. Findings support the importance of HIV prevention approaches accounting for relationship stigma from the general public and the diverse sexual identities of men partnered with transgender women when seeking to increase linkage to and engagement in HIV prevention services, including biomedical prevention strategies.

Adolescent girls aged 15-24 are at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS. The existence of adolescent promiscuity, inadequate knowledge of adolescents about HIV/AIDS, and lack of communication with parents on adolescent reproductive health are some related factors to the increased number of adolescents infected with sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. Based on these situations, providing health education to adolescents is an alternative solution. The activities were carried out by implementing health education for teenage girls, conducted in four sessions. All sessions were held online, with interactive discussion methods, role play and demonstrations. A total of 18 adolescent girls participated in this activity. The final results showed that there is an increasing mean score of post-test on HIV knowledge (0.5), adolescent reproductive health (0.44), and self-esteem (0.39). There are no significant different between pre and post-test for the level of knowledge on HIV, adolescent reproductive health, adolescent risk behavior and self-esteem. Only risky behavior does not demonstrate an increase in the mean score. Providing health education to teenage girls has improved their knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS and adolescent reproductive health and increased adolescent self-esteem. However, these activities did not affect the score of teens’ behavior change. It was due to the duration of health education was not sufficient to change their behavior.

The acquisition of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and unplanned pregnancies are risks that young people deal when deciding not to use a condom when having sexual intercourse. During the decision-making process, individuals value the benefits (gains) and losses (costs) associated with a behavior. Cost-benefit analysis has been investigated to examine the differential impact of gains and losses on risky behaviours. The decisional balance approach emphasizes that costs and benefits are associated with risky sexual behavior. Decisions about condom use are a precursor to behavior, and this process may be influenced by perceived benefits. In the present study, it is proposed that the balance between the benefit and the loss of condom use contributes to consistent condom use. These factors as determinants of behaviour must be considered under the cultural context in which they are carried out. The objective of this research is to identify the relationship of gains and losses from condom use with risky sexual behaviour. It was hypothesized that: 1) Young people will evaluate the benefits (gains) with higher scores compared to the losses (costs) in deciding to use a condom in sexual intercourse. 2) The gains will be greater in those college students who use a condom more frequently and the losses will not be the same among those who use a condom. To evaluate risky sexual behavior and the use of the male condom in their sexual relations were considered. Condom gains and losses were measured with a measurement scale in a sample of 257 university students, aged between 18 and 39 years (M = 22.34; SD = 3.6) from Querétaro, México. With reference to sexual behavior, it was found that 89.1 % have started their sexual activity. The average age of initiation of sexual life is 15.41 years. The frequency of sexual activity is once or twice each month. The mean of sexual partners is 4.2, with a median of 3. The 68.5 % reported using some contraceptive method and regarding the use of condoms, 27.8 % always use it and 5.7 % never use it. To evaluate the decisional balance, subtracting the gain and loss factors created a net difference score. The gain factor was subtracted from its counterpart of the loss factor to indicate the preference for having sex with a condom. The decisional balance assessment indicates that the gains are greater than the losses (costs) of consistent condom use in sexual intercourse. Associations were found between gains and losses with indicators of risky sexual behavior. It is observed that university students who do not use a condom show greater losses from using it. In gains, there is an increase in scores when using a condom. Additionally, it is observed that university students, who sometimes use a condom, show greater losses for using it, unlike those who always use it, which show low scores in the losses of using it. In gains factor, there is an increase in the scores when using a condom, that is, those who never or almost never use a condom have the lowest scores and as the scores increase, the frequency of using a condom in their sexual relations also increases. In conclusion, gains and losses from male condom use are associated with risky sexual behavior (age of sexual activity, number of partners and condom use) in the university context. The findings provide support for the development of interventions that promote gains or benefits to increase consistent condom use. It is important to consider in specific interventions those young people who decide to continue having sex without using a condom despite the costs and possible consequences of not using it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given their disproportionate HIV incidence, there is a critical need to identify factors related to HIV risk among Black young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in the southeastern United States. This study investigated the association of family factors and HIV-related outcomes among Black YMSM in Mississippi ages 14–20 (n = 72). Multivariable regression models evaluated associations of family factors and outcomes. Greater parent/child communication about sex was associated with fewer lifetime male sex partners and lower odds of lifetime anal sex. Greater parental monitoring was associated with greater likelihood of future condom use. Sexual orientation disclosure was associated with more lifetime male sex partners. Parental monitoring and parent/child communication about sex were protective, suggesting that family-based interventions are promising for HIV prevention among Black YMSM in Mississippi. Results also indicated that YMSM who are "out" to family are important to reach, and families could be useful in encouraging healthy behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Sexting" (electronic transmission of sexual pictures/messages) among early adolescents is associated with early sexual activity, a marker of increased sexual risk. The current study is a secondary analysis that examined the longitudinal relationship between sexting and first-time sex among a sample of early adolescents deemed "at risk" due to behavioral or emotional problems. Adolescents participated in a longitudinal sexual risk prevention trial and completed questionnaires assessing demographics, unsupervised peer time, mental health, and participation in sexting, oral sex, and penetrative sex (vaginal/anal). Analyses included 343 early adolescents (M age = 12.89, 51% female, 77% racial/ethnic minority) with no history of oral or penetrative sex. Those who reported sexting at baseline were more likely to report first-time oral and/or penetrative sex by the 1-year follow-up. Exploratory analyses revealed that sexting predicted those who had engaged in both oral and penetrative sex. These findings highlight the need to address sexting in risk prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeYoung trans women (YTW) carry a disproportionate burden of HIV. The developmental context of HIV risk for YTW is underexamined. The aim of this analysis was to examine whether parent/caregiver responses to gender identity were associated with engagement in HIV-related sexual risk behavior for YTW and whether these associations varied by racial/ethnic identity or age.MethodsBaseline data from the SHINE study (n = 300) at San Francisco Department of Public Health (2012-2014) were analyzed. Multivariable Poisson binomial regression models characterized relationships between parent/caregiver responses to gender identity and HIV-related sexual risk behaviors, adjusting for select participant demographics. Statistically significant interactions (by race/ethnicity or age) were plotted using marginal predicted probabilities of sexual risk behaviors.ResultsThirty-seven percent of YTW engaged in any condomless anal intercourse; 12% reported income from sex work in the last month. Ever moving away from family and friends because of gender identity was associated with condomless anal intercourse (adjusted prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.44, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08-1.92, p = .01) and sex work (PR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.14-3.75, p=.02). Ever receiving poor treatment from parents/caregivers because of gender identity was associated with sex work (PR = 3.47, 95% CI = 1.52-7.95, p < .01). Greater parent/caregiver acceptance of gender identity was associated with lower adjusted prevalence of condomless anal intercourse for Hispanic/Latinx YTW.ConclusionsNegative parent/caregiver exposures related to YTW's gender identities were associated with increased HIV-related sexual risk behaviors, whereas parent/caregiver acceptance of gender identity was protective against condomless anal intercourse for Hispanic/Latinx YTW. There is a need for additional studies that inform interventions for YTW focusing on parent/caregiver relationships to prevent HIV-related risk behavior.

Few researchers have quantitatively explored the relationship power-HIV risk nexus in same-sex male couples. We developed and validated the Power Imbalance in Couples Scale (PICS) to measure relationship power among men in same-sex, committed relationships and its association with sexual risk behaviors. We recruited three independent and diverse samples of male couples in the greater San Francisco and New York City metropolitan areas and conducted qualitative interviews (N1 = 96) to inform item development, followed by two quantitative surveys (N2 = 341; N3 = 434) to assess the construct, predictive, convergent, and discriminant validity of the PICS. Exploratory factor analysis of the first survey's data yielded four factors-overtly controlling partner, supportive partner, conflict avoidant actor, and overtly controlling actor-that accounted for more than 50% of the shared variance among the PICS items. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the second survey's data supported these four factors: χ2(1823) = 2493.40, p

Purpose of Review: This aim of the present systematic literature review is to critically analyze problematic sexuality and sexual dysfunctions in personality disorders (PDs) and pathological personality traits. Recent Findings: An initial pool of 123 studies was found, out of which 17 met the selection criteria and were therefore included. Traumatic experiences as childhood sexual abuse and adverse childhood experiences characterize the relationship between sexual behavior and PDs. From this point of view, sexual compulsivity and sexual risk behaviors, typical of BPD and ASPD, respectively, are among the pathognomonic aspects of PDs and of pathological personality traits. Summary: A maladaptive personality functioning may manifest through a problematic sexuality and a sexual impairment. In this regard, traumatic life experiences may structure personality together with sexual functioning. Therefore, it would be useful to consider the relationship between trauma, sexuality, and personality in research and in the clinical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explores the difference between Women Who Have Sex Exclusively with Men (WSEM), Women Who Have Sex Exclusively with Women (WSEW), and Women Who Have Sex with Women and Men (WSWM). The data were obtained from a survey of a probability-based web sample of 1967 Norwegian women. Most WSWM identified themselves as heterosexuals (76.3%), and three out of 10 used a condom when having sex with a new partner. The highest number of sex partners during the last year was reported by WSWM. More WSEW than the other categories reported premature orgasm. WSWM should be targeted in health campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was developed to examine sexual risk behavior among patients seeking community-based mental health services, including associations with psychological distress, identity dysfunction, and childhood emotional neglect. A mediation model was examined regarding identity dysfunction mediating the link between emotional neglect and sexual risk behavior. A total of 245 outpatients completed questionnaires regarding perceived risky sexual behavior, psychological distress, identity dysfunction, and emotional neglect. Sexual risk behavior was found to be a prevalent issue among individuals seeking outpatient mental health services, with 13% reporting engagement in unsafe sexual practices at least some of the time. Mediation analysis revealed that childhood emotional neglect was indirectly linked with sexual risk behavior through the mediating effect of identity dysfunction. Thus, findings suggest a pathway to sexual risk behaviors through perceived childhood emotional neglect and identity dysfunction. Clinical attention to identity-related vulnerability among this population may be warranted in aiming to mitigate risk-taking associated with sexual practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social media has been a great influencing factor on the attitude of individuals consuming it on a regular basis as studies revealed. It offered lots of endless possibilities and risks to those individuals who use it. With its easy-access feature, it brought adolescents to a platform where various information is easily tapped. Appropriate or not, these social media contents have been affecting these adolescents' behavior. Among the most controversial contents of social media are what we call as sexualized media. These are platforms the enable one to access sexually related contents such as images, videos, and even real-time video chatting. This research is aimed at providing the influence of sexualized media on sexual behavior and sexual risk behavior of selected Grade 12 students of General Mariano Alvarez Technical High School. The study employed random sampling and used descriptive-correlational research design to find answers to its specific questions. Since the study used students as its respondents, proper procedures were followed to conduct the study. A descriptive survey questionnaire was made to determine the sexualized media consumption, sexual behavior, and sexual risk behavior of the respondents. Results were tested at 0.05 alpha level of significance which have revealed that there is a significantly positive moderate correlation between sexualized media consumption and sexual behavior. Also, it was shown that there is a significantly positive moderate correlation between sexualized media consumption and sexual risk behavior and that there is a significantly positive moderate correlation between sexual behavior and sexual risk behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Habanera de Ciencias Médicas is the property of Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de La Habana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• A quarter of sexually active adolescents did not use condoms at their last sex. • Girls were more likely to condom non-use. • Various psychosocial, parental, lifestyle, sexual risk factors were linked to condom non-use. • Significant regional differences in factors linked to condom non-use. Studies in several resource-limited settings have investigated the prevalence and potential factors associated with condom non-use among adolescents, showing inconsistent and varied findings, owing to methodological inconsistencies. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of condom non-use among a global sample of adolescents and their differences based on sex and region. We conducted a cross-sectional study using the 2009–2018 Global School-based Health Survey data from 58 countries which included 183,100 adolescents aged 12–15 years. Random-effects meta -analysis was used to estimate the overall and regional pooled prevalence of condom non-use. Multilevel mixed-effect logistic regressions were used to investigate the correlates of condom non-use. Overall, 26.2% of the total sample reported being sexually active and of these, 27.6% did not use condoms during last intercourse, with boys reporting higher than girls (27.9% vs. 25.6%). The prevalence of condom non-use was the highest in the African region (29.2%) and the lowest in the South-East Asia region (21.1%). There were variations in prevalence across countries, regions, and sex. Female gender, older age, loneliness, suicidal ideation, being bullied, parental support and supervision, truancy, smoking, illicit drug use, early sexual initiation, and having multiple sex partners were associated with condom non-use. There was evidence of heterogeneity of correlates across regions and sex. In this analysis, we found variations in the prevalence and associated factors of condom non-use among adolescents by sex and region. These findings can shape effective sexual health initiatives and improve resource distribution across regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This pilot study evaluated the use of smartphone ecological momentary assessments (EMA) for self-monitoring to optimize treatment outcomes among gay and bisexual men enrolled in an outpatient methamphetamine abuse treatment service program. Participants (N = 34) received EMA prompts five times daily to self-monitor their methamphetamine use, cravings, sexual risk behaviors, and associated triggers and affect throughout the 8-week treatment program. Participants were randomized into either a self-directed condition with access to a web-based EMA response visualization dashboard ("EMA + Dashboard"; n = 16); or, a counselor-supported condition incorporating weekly, 30-min, one-on-one counseling sessions to review and discuss the participant's self-monitoring data on the dashboard ("EMA + Dashboard + Counselor"; n = 18). Pilot participants were compared with historical controls (n = 102) as the reference group in multiple regression analyses to assess the impact of the two study conditions on the treatment service program outcomes. Study participants with weekly counseling (EMA + Dashboard + Counselor) exhibited significantly greater reductions in the number of condomless anal intercourse episodes than historical controls (IRR = 0.02, 95% CI [0.00, 0.30]), whereas the reduction was of similar magnitude as controls in the EMA + Dashboard self-directed condition (IRR = 0.23, 95% CI [0.02, 3.56]). Treatment effects were not significant for comparisons between the two study conditions and historical controls for self-reported methamphetamine use (EMA + Dashboard: IRR = 1.06, 95% CI [0.32, 3.49]; EMA + Dashboard+Counselor: IRR = 0.46, 95% CI [0.14, 1.49]), number of male partners (EMA + Dashboard: IRR = 1.02, 95% CI [0.39, 2.61]; EMA + Dashboard+Counselor: IRR = 0.54, 95% CI [0.20, 1.45]), and the likelihood of providing a urine sample that tested positive for methamphetamine metabolites (EMA + Dashboard: OR = 1.00, 95% CI [0.79, 1.25]; EMA + Dashboard + Counselor: OR = 0.93, 95% CI [0.74, 1.16]). The pilot study provides preliminary evidence that the treatment outcome for condomless anal intercourse can be improved through a combination of smartphone- and counselor-assisted self-monitoring.