International Research on Sexual Behaviour and Reproductive Health: A Brief Review with Reference to Methodology

Abstract

The introduction to this review of international research on sex behavior and reproductive health notes that the three lines of sexual enquiry (treatment of sexual disorders contraception and sociocultural research into human sexuality) have reconverged. The review begins with a look at research on human sexuality and reproductive health in terms of sex behavior contraception and fertility. An overview is then provided for each of the following reproductive health issues that includes the questions raised by the issues and highlights of their research history: sex behavior and fertility sex behavior and contraception (in general in women and in men) sex behavior and sexually transmitted disease (including HIV/AIDS) and adolescent sexuality and sexual health. The paper continues with discussion of the following methodological issues: 1) validity and reliability 2) method of enquiry 3) social desirability and social disapproval 4) sample selection 5) terminology and frames of reference and 6) sociocultural biases. This introduces the review of selected current research on patterns of sexual behavior in developed countries (Belgium France Germany the Netherlands Norway Sweden Switzerland the UK and the US) and in developing countries (with special emphasis on surveys of the behavior of adolescents and young adults). The paper ends by discussing the needs and constraints of future research on sex behavior.