Number Of Different Sexual Partners Research Articles

Salivary microbiome of healthy women of reproductive age.

The salivary microbiome has been proven to play a crucial role in local and systemic diseases. Moreover, the effects of biological and lifestyle factors such as oral hygiene and smoking on this microbial community have already been explored. However, what was not yet well understood was the natural variation of the saliva microbiome in healthy women and how this is associated with specific use of hormonal contraception and with the number of different sexual partners with whom microbiome exchange is expected regularly. In this paper, we characterized the salivary microbiome of 255 healthy women of reproductive age using an in-depth questionnaire and self-sampling kits. Using the large metadata set, we were able to investigate the associations of several host-related and lifestyle variables with the salivary microbiome profiles. Our study shows a high preservation between individuals.

Sexual behaviors, cannabis, alcohol and monkeypox infection.

The emergence of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak in 2022 is a worldwide health issue. The rapid increase of monkeypox cases caused the WHO to designate the escalating global monkeypox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on July 23, 2022. The WHO has called on the group currently most affected by the virus, men who have sex with men (MSM), to limit their sexual partners. The diminution in number of sexual partners not only decreases the proportion of infected MSM but could also increases the number of days needed to reach a given infection level among the general population. Several behavioral factors could be associated with high levels of different sexual partners, such as cannabis use and alcohol consumption. Firstly, this review focuses on the association between cannabis and alcohol consumption and the number of sexual partners, and their possible impact on the current MPXV outbreak by impairing the immune responses. Secondly, this review investigated in the UK Biobank cohort the relationship between alcohol and cannabis use and the number of sexual partners. Among the 115,604 participants, 1.8% declared to be MSM, 1.9% to be WSW (women having sex with women), 43.3% men heterosexuals and 53.0% women heterosexuals. MSM and WSW showed higher lifetime sexual partners (N = 17.4 (SD:17.52) and N = 13.65 (SD: 13.21), respectively) compared to heterosexual men (N = 6.89 (SD: 9.47) and women (N = 5.19 (SD:6.56), p < 0.001. After adjustment for age, body mass index, lifetime sexual activity, educational and income levels, tobacco and cardiovascular diseases, cannabis use and alcohol consumption remained significantly associated with increase in the number of different sexual partners in all four subgroups. Thus, cannabis use and alcohol consumption may have two detrimental effects on the MPXV outbreak: by participating in the increase of the number of sexual partners which are mainly responsible for the augmentation of the number of new MPXV infected cases and by impairing the immune response to a viral infection. Health and safety policies should address the factors and practices, including chemsex, leading to an increase in risk of sexual behaviors responsible for MPXV dissemination in the worldwide population.

Monkeypox Vaccine Hesitancy in French Men Having Sex with Men with PrEP or Living with HIV in France.

People with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or living with HIV are a high-risk population for monkeypox virus (MPXV) infection. It is important to achieve high MPXV vaccination coverage rates in this group. This project used self-reporting to assess vaccine hesitancy for the smallpox vaccine and acceptance among men having sex with men with PrEP or living with HIV. In total, 52 (33.6%) participants among the 155 declared their hesitancy to be vaccinated against MPXV. Moreover, 20.7% patients with PrEP declared a hesitant attitude towards the smallpox vaccine compared to 40.2% of the HIV patients, p = 0.013. This difference remained not significant after adjustment for age (p = 0.119) and after adjustment for both age and number of different sexual partners (p = 0.406). Among PrEP people, those who expressed concerns about people getting more vaccines than needed (p = 0.012) were less likely to accept vaccination, whereas an increased number of different sexual partners during the previous month was significantly associated with acceptance of vaccination (p = 0.034). Among HIV people, those who expressed concerns about being infected by MPXV (p < 0.001), those who expressed that the smallpox vaccine should be compulsory for people at risk (p < 0.001) and those with an increased the number of different sexual partners the previous month (p = 0.018) were significantly associated with higher acceptance of MPXV vaccination. Our results suggest that vaccine strategy would be efficient in France with a communication strategy emphasizing the benefits of vaccination and the potential MPXV risk infection for health in PrEP and HIV people. Other preventive actions should be implemented, including reduction in sexual partners.

Prevalence and risk factors of Chlamydia trachomatis genital infection among military personnel of the Armed Forces of Serbia: A cross-sectional study

Background/Aim. Chlamydia trachomatis infection (CTI) is an increasing public health problem worldwide and is the most frequent sexually transmitted infection. Studies conducted in many armed forces worldwide showed that CTI is common within military population and generate significant healthcare costs. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of CTI among members of the Serbian Armed Forces (SAF) and to determine risk factors for this infection. Methods. The study was designed as a cross-sectional survey and consisted of completing a questionnaire and chlamydial testing. The questionnaire was divided into two question groups: one was about demographic/service related characteristics and the other was about behavioral patterns/ habits. Chlamydia trachomatis real time polymerase chain reaction (Real-TM PCR) was used for detection of pathogen genome specific sequence in the male urethral swabs and in the female endocervical swabs. All data collected were used to compare military personnel with and without CTI. Risk factors independently associated with CTI were identified by the stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis (MLRA) of variables selected by the univariate logistic regression analysis (ULRA), with a limit for entering and removing variables from the model at 0.05. Results. The overall prevalence of CTI was 55 of 356 respondents (15.4%; 95% CI 0.5?2.7%). The ULRA identified that CTI was significantly associated with several characteristics: number of sexual partners during previous year (p = 0.008), knowledge about symptoms of CTI (p = 0.035), tattooing (p = 0.035) and married or in stable relationship (p = 0.022). The MLRA revealed that number of different sexual partners during last year was independent risk factor of CTI (p = 0.026; OR : 0.344; 95% CI: 0.13?0.88). Conclusion. CTI is significant problem in male and female military personnel in the SAF. The number of different sexual partners during previous year was independently associated with CTI. These finding indicates that screening for CTI should be undertaken in the SAF, to reduce rates of CTI in the SAF and to prevent morbidity due to this infection.

Human papillomavirus prevalence in a Mid-European oral squamous cell cancer population: A cohort study.

Human papillomavirus infection has been investigated intensively regarding oropharyngeal carcinoma. However, there is still lack of knowledge about the impact of oral HPV infections concerning oral squamous cell carcinoma. This study investigates the prevalence of oral HPV infection in such patients, identifying possible differences between HPV+ and HPV- patients. One hundred and six consequent patients were investigated. After completion of a study questionnaire regarding risk factors, a brush smear sample was taken in each subject to identify the individual oral HPV status (overall/low risk/high risk). About 35.8% of the patients were tested positive for HPV in the oral cavity (14% low risk, 28.3% high risk). Patients with oral HPV infection and high-risk HPV infection were significantly younger (p<0.001) and had a higher alcohol consumption (p=0.0075 resp. p=0.0022). A high number of different sexual partners were significantly correlated with any type of HPV infection. At last, patients with high-risk oral HPV infection had experienced more tooth extractions during their lifetime. Oral HPV infections may influence the course of disease of oral squamous cell carcinoma as HPV+ patients are about 10years younger. It seems that high alcohol consumption facilitates high-risk HPV infection. It may be presumed that both alcohol consumption and high-risk oral HPV infection act synergistically, explaining earlier cancer onset.

The impact of sexual behavior on oral HPV infections in young unvaccinated adults.

Different authors hypothesized an important impact of sexual behavior on the prevalence of oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. In order to investigate this relationship more in detail and in contrast to most other studies, the present work focused on the population group with the highest risk for sexually transmitted infections: young and sexual active adults. Three hundred and ten men and women aged 18-30years could be recruited. After the completion of a risk-factor survey, brush smear samples for oral HPV detection were taken in every participant. In 18.1%, oral HPV could be detected. Overall, smoking (p=0.0074) and a high number of different sexual partners (vaginal: p=0.0001; oral: p<0.0001) were significantly correlated with a positive HPV testing. In case of high risk HPV infections, besides tobacco and sexual behavior, alcohol consumption showed a significant association with a positive testing (p=0.0212). Overall, the prevalence of oral HPV seems to be higher in young, sexual active adults compared to other population groups. Tobacco and alcohol may facilitate an oral HPV infection. Sexual behavior, especially oral sex practices, seems to play a crucial role in the transmission of oral HPV. The presented data, especially the association of oral high risk HPV positivity and promiscuity, may lead to improvements in the existing oral HPV prevention strategies like a HPV vaccination for both genders.

Protocolo diagnóstico y terapéutico de las infecciones de transmisión sexual en la adolescencia

The possibility of contracting a sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is higher in adolescents than in adults, favoured by the early onset of sexual relations, the high number of different sexual partners or the lack of use of preventive methods such as the condom. Ignorance of STIs can be also considered a risk factor for them. From the biological point of view, adolescents are more susceptible to infection and, although the clinical features of STIs are similar to the adults, are at increased risk of morbidity and long-term sequelae. The complications of STIs, when not detected early and treated properly, can cause significant impact on the health of the individual from the neoplastic transformation induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) virus to infertility chlamydial or gonococcal infections upper genital tract involvement.

Childhood trauma and sexual behavior in adulthood among internal medicine outpatients

Abuse in childhood may be associated with a variety of sexual behaviors in adulthood. However, previous studies have been limited by population type, number of traumas inquired about, and number of sexual behaviors explored. In this study, we examined five forms of childhood abuse or trauma (i.e. sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, and the witnessing of violence) and 13 sexuality variables (e.g., age at first intercourse, number of different sexual partners) among 76 women in an outpatient resident-provider internal medicine setting. Participants who had experienced childhood “sexual abuse” reported a younger “age at first intercourse” and a greater incidence of having “ever been raped by a stranger” and having “ever been raped by a partner” – but not multiple sexual partners (i.e. promiscuity), as expected. We discuss the implications of these findings.

Understanding human sexual networks: a critique of the promiscuity paradigm

Increases in sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV rates worldwide have prompted the dedication of research to identifying transmission co-factors, with one such co-factor being an individual's number of different sexual partners. Currently, the majority of STI/HIV transmission models are based on the assumptions that sexual networks have random distributions; whereas, in real-life, these assumptions have proven incorrect because group norms produce variations in sexual practices and differences in transmission co-factors (i.e. number, type, and timing of sexual contacts, use of protection, and genital co-infections). In fact, sexual groupings follow the distribution of the scale-free network. Because human sexual assemblages form scale-free networks, a large number of sexual partners does not necessarily mean that an individual is at risk for acquiring an STI, or conversely, that a small number of partners means that an individual is not at risk. Therefore, while an individual's number of sexual partners is important for population-based and case-management initiatives, it is impossible to determine group sexual norms, network location, and γ values at the individual level. This signifies that a reliance on individuals’ number of different sexual partners to determine their need for STI/HIV testing may be an unnecessarily invasive practice that negatively impacts on testing practices. Thus, it is important to be aware that it is not so much this number of contacts that is important, but rather what occurs during these connections at a network level, and how many concurrent connections exist across the group.

Risk Reduction Counseling Is Associated With Decreased HIV Transmission-Associated Behaviors in High-Risk Indian Heterosexuals

To estimate the incidence of HIV and study the impact of risk-reduction counseling (RRC) in a cohort of people with high-risk behavior for HIV transmission in Chennai, India. Prospective cohort follow-up of 500 HIV-negative people (250 men and 250 women) at increased risk for HIV acquisition in Chennai, India for a maximum of 1 year was conducted. They received RRC at 0, 6, and 12 months. Generalized estimating equation methodology was used to determine the statistical significance of differences reported in behavior between baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. The overall HIV incidence in this cohort was 0.44 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval: 0.05-1.60). In the course of the study, both male and female participants reported statistically significant decreases in the number of different sexual partners, the number of new partners, and the proportion of sexual encounters with nonprimary partners. Participants who had more than 3 different partners at baseline and/or exchanged money for sex in the 6 months before enrollment demonstrated the greatest reductions in the number of different sexual partners. Individualized sexual RRC seems to be a useful intervention to reduce risk-taking behavior among at-risk heterosexuals in India.

Network of sexual contacts and sexually transmitted HIV infection in Burkina Faso

Two thirds of the people who have been infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the world live in Sub-Saharan African countries. The results of a study measuring the degree distribution of the network of sexual contacts in Burkina Faso are described. Such a network is responsible for the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, and in particular of HIV. It has been found that the number of different sexual partners reported by males is a power law distribution with an exponent gamma = 2.9 (0.1). This is consistent with the degree distribution of scale-free networks. On the other hand, the females can be divided into two groups: the prostitutes with an average of 400 different partners per year, and females with a stable partner, having a rapidly decreasing degree distribution. Such a result may have important implications on the control of sexually transmitted diseases and in particular of HIV. Since scale-free networks have no epidemic threshold, a campaign based on prevention and anti-viral treatment of few highly connected nodes can be more successful than any policy based on enlarged but random distribution of the available anti-viral treatments.

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and performance of STI syndromes against aetiological diagnosis, in female sex workers of red light area in Surat, India

Objectives: To measure prevalence of selected sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV among female sex workers (SWs) in the red light area of Surat, India, and to evaluate the performance...

Role Play Assessments of Sexual Assertiveness Skills: Relationships with HIV/AIDS Sexual Risk Behavior Practices

Conceptual formulations of HIV risk reduction and many HIV prevention interventions reported in the literature emphasize the role of sexual assertiveness, negotiation, and communication skills as key elements for enacting behavior change. However, there have been few attempts to determine if objective ratings of individuals' sexual communication skill effectiveness are actually associated with their levels of HIV sexual risk behavior. In the current study, 114 severely mentally ill men and women role-played scenes in which confederates simulated attempts to coerce unprotected sex. Participants' role-played responses were transcribed verbatim and later rated for quality in several areas of assertiveness skill effectiveness. In addition, participants provided detailed information concerning their sexual behavior practices in the past 30 days. Participants were categorized into highly, intermediately, or poorly skilled groups based on effectiveness in role play performance, and the groups were then compared on indices of HIV risk behavior. Individuals with high objectively rated sexual assertiveness skill had the lowest number of unprotected sex acts, the smallest number of different sexual partners, the smallest number of casual sex partners, and the highest levels of condom-protected sex in the past 30 days. Individuals with poor sexual assertiveness role-play skills had the highest levels of sexual risk behavior. These associations were especially pronounced among women. Findings of this research provide support for teaching individuals to develop and refine their sexual assertiveness and communication skills in HIV prevention programs. Future research issues in this area are highlighted.

Mixing matrices: Necessary constraints in populations of finite size

This paper analyses the constraints used to define the elements of mixing matrices employed in deterministic models of the transmission dynamics of sexually transmitted infections. These matrices define the degree to which the choice of sexual partners in a population is assortative (like with like) or dissassortative (like with unlike) in populatiions stratified by sexual activity (i.e. the number of different sexual partners per unit of time). An expanded set of constraints is described which defines patterns of mixing on the assortative to disassortative spectrum in populations of finite size. The relevance of these new constraints to past work in this area is assessed. Keywords: mixing matrices

A Diffusion Model for AIDS in a Closed, Heterosexual Population: Examining Rates of Infection

This paper considers a model for the spread of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in a closed, purely heterosexual population. Using asymptotic expansions, we derive a set of governing partial differential equations to approximate the population of proportion infected. By assuming a very narrow distribution of partners and a closed population, we examine both the initial spread of the AIDS epidemic and specific subculture populations which lend themselves well to this scenario. A main issue explored in this paper is determining a way to estimate an individual's infection rate—the probability of becoming infected with HIV given a fixed individual risk. In particular, as an individual’s risk increases, which we define to be the number of different sexual partners per year, we observe, through traveling wave solutions, the increase of an individual’s chance of becoming infected.

Effects of Randomness of Risk Factors on the HIV Epidemic in Homosexual Populations

In the studies of the HIV epidemic, most of the risk factors are assumed to be unknown, fixed parameters. In reality, however, most of these factors are subjected to random variation. To assess the effects of randomness of risk factors, in this paper we develop a stochastic model for the HIV epidemic in homosexual populations to generate some Monte Carlo studies. The results reveal that if the number of infective people is not too small, then randomness of the number of different sexual partners per unit time, randomness of the probability of condom use, and randomness of the transition rates of infective stages have little effect, if any, on the HIV epidemic. However, the Monte Carlo studies show that deterministic models in general provide poor approximations to the mean numbers of stochastic models in most of the cases.

Sexual behaviour in a group of Swedish homosexual men.

Using self-administered questionnaires, sexual behaviour was assessed among 181 male homosexuals who were members of a 'gay' organization. Eighty-seven out of 181 (48%) had a regular partner and 14% reported their relationship as monogamous. The number of different sexual partners among the studied men was found to be low. Anal intercourse with non-steady partners in the past year had been practised by 43%, 79% of whom had generally used a condom. Use of condoms during oral intercourse was less common. Most of the men (86%) had made some risk-reducing behavioural changes (since a mean of 2.8 years) because of perceived risk of HIV/AIDS. 73% had had an HIV antibody test performed. Adoption of safer sexual practices seems to have occurred among the gay men studied.

Sexual Behavior, Contraception and Unintended Pregnancy Among Young Females

Information about contraceptive usage and sexual experiences was sampled in 1985-86 from 16-20-year-old Danish females admitted for legally induced abortion on Funen (N = 140). In attempts to elucidate the causal relations behind undesired pregnancy among teenagers, data were in the present context compared with answers to the same questions from a representative Danish sample of sexually experienced, non-pregnant females of the same age (N = 201). Of the reference sample, 83.6% were using contraceptives at the time of the interview--mostly oral contraceptives (O.C.). Of the abortion sample, 90.7% said they had used contraception earlier in their reproductive life. Approximately one third conceived in spite of contraception (most frequently the condoms). O.C. was the contraceptive method used most recently (by 43.6%). Thus, a pause in an effective contraceptive often precedes an unintended pregnancy, pointing to the need for follow-up counselling when O.C. is prescribed to teenagers. Only the minority could state the total number of times they had experienced sexual intercourse. Significantly more females in the abortion sample were in an alliance with a male partner with whom they had regular sexual intercourse. However, they also reported a higher average number of different sexual partners, indicating an association between changing sexual relationships and undesired pregnancy. In the abortion sample significantly more pregnancies prior to the index pregnancy were reported during a corresponding period of risk of conception lasting only a few years. Taking the widespread use of contraception into account, it is possible that an increased fecundity might be a co-factor behind unsuccessful contraception.

Time of exposure and risk of HIV infection in homosexual partners of men with AIDS.

We interviewed, and tested for HIV antibody, 117 homosexual men who had been regular sexual partners of men who developed acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); 85 tested seropositive. Receptive anal intercourse with the index AIDS case and number of different sexual partners with whom subjects were anally receptive were both risk factors. Controlling for the number of partners with whom subjects were anally receptive, we found that the odds ratio of receptive anal intercourse with the case was infinite (95% confidence intervals, 3.3-infinity) if sexual contact continued up to or beyond the time of diagnosis, while the odds ratio was 1.0 (95% CI 0.3-3.2) if contact ceased before the case's AIDS diagnosis. Risk was not associated with the duration or frequency of contact. Our data suggest that the potential for sexual transmission from an HIV-infected person may be greater close to or after the onset of disease.

The impact of AIDS on gay male sexual behavior patterns in New York City.

A sample of 745 gay men, ages 20 to 65, were interviewed in 1985 as part of an effort to determine the impact of the AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) epidemic on the non-ill but at-risk community. Measured in terms of the number of different sexual partners, sexual activity was reported to have declined by 78 per cent since hearing about AIDS. The frequency of sexual episodes involving the exchange of body fluids and mucous membrane contact declined by 70 per cent, and condom use during anal intercourse increased from 1.5 to 20 per cent. Abstinence from gay sex did not change over time.