Partner's Sexual History Research Articles

African American women’s safer sexual practices: the influence of ethnic-racial socialisation and body esteem

African American women are disproportionately at risk for sexually transmitted infections (e.g., HIV and gonorrhoea). It is important therefore to explore cultural factors that may influence their sexual practices. The present study examined the relationship between safer sexual practices (i.e., using condoms and inquiring about partner sexual history), participants’ ethnic-racial socialisation experiences with maternal and paternal caregivers, and body esteem. Participants were 262, largely middle-class, African American women (ages 18 to 78) from a Midwestern US city who completed an online questionnaire. Results indicated significant differences on measures of safer sexual practice based on relationship status. Regression results suggested that certain paternal cultural practices were negatively related to inquiring about a partner’s sexual history. However, body esteem was positively associated with inquiry regarding partner’s previous sexual history. Implications for intervention efforts and research are discussed.

UNAIDS ‘multiple sexual partners’ core indicator: promoting sexual networks to reduce potential biases

UNAIDS proposed a set of core indicators for monitoring changes in the worldwide AIDS epidemic. This paper explores the validity and effectiveness of the ‘multiple sexual partners’ core indicator, which is only partially captured with current available data. The paper also suggests an innovative approach for collecting more informative data that can be used to provide an accurate measure of the UNAIDS's ‘multiple sexual partners’ core indicator. Specifically, the paper addresses three major limitations associated with the indicator when it is measured with respondents’ sexual behaviors. First, the indicator assumes that a person's risk of contracting HIV/AIDS/STIs is merely a function of his/her own sexual behavior. Second, the indicator does not account for a partner's sexual history, which is very important in assessing an individual's risk level. Finally, the 12-month period used to define a person's risks can be misleading, especially because HIV/AIDS theoretically has a period of latency longer than a year. The paper concludes that, programmatically, improvements in data collection are a top priority for reducing the observed bias in the ‘multiple sexual partners’ core indicator.

Sexual communication among young adult heterosexual Latinos: a qualitative descriptive study.

Sexual communication between sexual partners is an important component in prevention efforts against unintended consequences of sex. The purpose of this study was to describe sexual communication among young adult Latinos. Four semistructured, sex-segregated focus groups were used for this study. Participants (N = 20) were 18-30 years old self-identified Latinos who were in heterosexual and sexually active relationships (more than 3 months). Participants revealed that initial sexual communication with their partners was avoided related to a lack of interest in a partner's sexual history, feeling embarrassed about the topic, or concern for offending one's partner or partner's family. As a result of these beliefs and attitudes, initial sexual communication was nonverbal and focused on sexual pleasure. After the initiation of sexual activity, verbal sexual communication expanded to include sexual history. These findings highlight the importance of attitudes and subjective norms toward verbal sexual communication. Attitudes and subjective norms toward sexual communication in the context of a romantic relationship and how it may impact sexual behavior in the relationship should be further explored.

Trusting practitioners and trusting partners: a test to determine whether HIV prevention in Namibia is as easy as saying the ABCs

To reduce the 15% HIV prevalence rate in Namibia, public health officials have advised people to: (1) adopt the ABCs (Abstain, Be faithful, use a Condom); (2) use information-seeking strategies to determine their partner's sexual history. Whether Namibians understand the ABC campaign or know how to determine a safe partner is largely unknown. To address this concern, data were collected from young adults (16–25 years, n = 400) via open- and closed-question formats. The main reason reported for not using a condom was ‘I trust my partner.’ The majority: (1) did not believe observational tactics were a good means to assess a safe partner; (2) believed they talked sufficiently with their partners about AIDS; (3) did not believe that partners were completely honest about their sexual history, although most (82%) wore condoms. The majority (51.8%) of participants did not understand the concepts of monogamy (51.8%) or ‘being faithful’ (68%). Assessment of the target population's understanding of public health terminology should precede implementation of HIV prevention programs using the ABCs.

Male Sexual Dysfunction

Among all types of sexual disturbance in men, disturbances of sexual function are the most important in clinical practice. These are classified by the segment of the sexual reaction cycle in which they arise (appetence, arousal, orgasm, and resolution). Partial functional impairment must be distinguished from dysfunction causing significant suffering and requiring treatment. The authors' clinical experience is supplemented with a selective review of the literature on sexual dysfunction, its association with underlying diseases, and its impact on sexual and relational satisfaction. The sexual history (including the partner's sexual history, as far as this can be obtained) is of prime importance in the diagnostic evaluation of sexual disturbances. This evaluation must take the multidimensionality and multiple functions of human sexuality into account. Chronic frustration of the fundamental psychosocial needs for acceptance, closeness, and security is a very important factor that has been neglected until now by the prevailing conceptions of the etiology and pathogenesis of sexual disturbances. Their treatment involves a combination of elements from sexual medicine and psychotherapy, along with somatic medical and pharmacotherapeutic intervention, if needed. The goal of syndyastic sex therapy, a further development of the previous therapies, is to fulfill these fundamental needs and thereby to improve the patient's sexual function and deepen his satisfaction with the relationship in its entirety. It is essential to understand the different types of sexual disturbance in their biopsychosocial context as well as the significance of sexuality for the individual, and for the couple, with respect to reproduction, sexual pleasure, and bonding. Sexual disturbances are common, and patients therefore expect their physicians to be proficient in sexual medicine. The coverage of this subject in both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in Germany needs to be improved.

Attachment Orientations and Daily Condom Use in Dating Relationships

This daily experience study examined the roles of attachment orientations and daily relationship satisfaction in shaping daily condom use among college students in dating relationships. Seventy-five participants completed an initial measure of attachment orientation and then reported their relationship satisfaction and condom use each day for 14 consecutive days. The results showed that attachment anxiety was associated with less frequent use of condoms on a daily basis. Daily satisfaction was also associated with a decreased likelihood of using condoms, and this association was stronger for those high in attachment anxiety and mitigated for participants high in attachment avoidance. The associations between attachment orientations and daily condom use remained significant when controlling for important covariates including participant gender, use of another form of birth control, frequency of sex, and knowledge of a partner's sexual history. Implications for sexual risk-taking behaviors and future research using daily diary methods to study sexuality in intimate relationships are discussed.

Perceptions regarding preventive sexual practices and communication with sexual partners among Chinese college students

Purpose. To assess the relation between Chinese college students' perceptions and attitudes regarding preventive sexual behaviors, their sexual knowledge, and their use of protective sexual behaviors. Methods. A subsample of 133 sexually active college students (18–25 years old) was obtained to identify factors related to protective sexual behaviors (e.g., knowledge of partner's sexual history, condom use). Results. Seventy-five percent of the sexually active students were male. Significantly more females had discussed AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) issues with their partners and had asked their partners about their sexual histories than males. Students endorsing the use of preventive behaviors were more likely to have discussed AIDS issues with their partners, used condoms, and known their partner's sexual history. Conclusions. Student perceptions about preventive behaviors have a significant impact on their knowledge of their sexual partners and their own sexual behaviors. These findings, as well as the presence of significant gender differences in perceptions and communications with their partners, have major implications for risk reduction programs.

Abnormal Pap test results and the rurality factor.

To review the published socio-cultural determinants that put women in rural areas at greater risk of having an abnormal Pap test result. Literature review. An Australian woman is at increased risk of developing cervical dysplasia if she lives in a rural area, identifies as an Indigenous Australian or is from a non-English speaking country. Being aged over 50 years, increases the risk of cervical cancer but not cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1, which peaks in the 20-24 year age group. Other connections with cervical dysplasia relate to a woman or her partner's sexual history, her nutritional status and possibly even her personality type. Smoking, social isolation, high negative life change events and having lived a 'troubled' life are all identified in the literature as increasing a woman's risk of having an abnormal Pap test result. Receiving an abnormal Pap test result often leads to feelings of fear, anxiety, guilt, shock, vulnerability, powerlessness, depression, shame and feeling dirty for the woman concerned. Compounding these negative feelings are social, practical and financial difficulties that have to be addressed. It is argued that social and medical models of health must complement each other to improve the well being of rural women experiencing an abnormal Pap result.

Sex Therapy in a Couple with Learning Disabilities

Despite greater emphasis in the last decade on sex education programmes for young people who have learning disabilities, there are few reports of sexual counselling or sex therapy. This case study discusses a married couple who had been married for seven months and who had been together for the previous year. Sexual intercourse had only been achieved on two occasions. This was too low in frequency for both partners. No other problems, such as lack of time in foreplay or insufficient enjoyment of the act itself was mentioned, at this time, by either partner. On the two occasions of sexual intercourse, both partners stated that they had reached orgasm. There were no indications of any difficulties in either partner's sexual history (such as abuse), and their knowledge of sexual matters met the standards of routine education packages for people with learning disabilities. A number of standard measures were amended and used to assess current functioning and to chart progress. For treatment, an approach in two phases was used.

A night with Venus: Partner assessments and high-risk sexual encounters

This study examined partner assessments and high-risk sexual encounters among STD clinic patients. Participants were 42 English-speaking attendees of a public STD clinic in Southern California with ages ranging between 18 and 60. Twelve focus groups were conducted. Qualitative data from the focus groups were analyzed using grounded theory. The analysis resulted in delineating five temporally-ordered stages of casual sexual encounters. Participants reported that they did not use condoms when they perceived new sexual partners as being safe. Instead of directly addressing their partner's sexual history, they relied heavily on both visual and verbal cues to judge if their partner was clean, or disease-free. This assessment process reflects an error in judgement, particularly because most of the participants had already contracted a STD. Suggestions are provided for incorporating the information about the partner assessment process into AIDS educational programmes.

Partner‐Specific Risk Perception: A New Conceptualization of Perceived Vulnerability to STDs

Two studies were conducted to test a new conceptualization of risk perception, focusing on the risk posed by a specific sexual partner at a specific time rather than a generalized perception of vulnerability to HIV or sexually transmitted diseases. Study 1 used a cross‐sectional design and found support for a model with the following domains as antecedents of partner‐specific risk perception (PSRP): generalized perception of HIV risk, partner's sexual history, and characteristics of relationship with the partner. However, PSRP was not associated with condom use in Study 1. Study 2, which used a longitudinal design, replicated the domains predictive of PSRP and also demonstrated the influence of PSRP on condom use 4 weeks later while controlling for past condom use. The findings support the utility of this conceptualization of risk perception.

Present versus future time perspective and HIV risk among heterosexual college students.

Because safer sex behaviors require planning and forethought and their primary motivations lie in the future, the hypothesis that behaviors that might reduce exposure to HIV would positively correlate with future time orientation, whereas risky behaviors would correlate with present time orientation, was tested in a survey of 188 heterosexual college students. As expected, those high in future time orientation were less likely to be sexually experienced and had fewer sexual partners. In contrast, present time orientation positively related to those measures. Those high in future orientation were more likely to use alternate methods of reducing exposure to HIV (e.g., inquiring about partner's sexual history, delaying or abstaining from sex). Time perspective also interacted with both gender and fear of AIDS. The responses of women and individuals low in fear were more related to time orientation.

Sexual behavior, communication, and chlamydial infections among college women.

The sexual practices, partner communication patterns, and prevalence of chlamydial infection were determined in a sample of college women. Specific inclusion criteria were used to screen 146 participants. The presence of a mucopurulent cervical discharge was the only criterion significantly associated with infection. Only 12% of the sample used condoms alone or in combination with another birth control method, and only 31% of the women discussed with their partner their own or their partner's sexual history. Thirty-eight percent of the sample reported a history of one to four episodes of a sexually transmitted disease, and 21% of the women stated they had had two or more sexual partners within the past 6 months. Health providers, counselors, and women themselves must address this health issue with more assertive behavior and communication skills.

Predictors of safer sex on the college campus: a social cognitive theory analysis.

In April and May 1989, the authors surveyed a sample of students enrolled on four college campuses in New Jersey (N = 923) concerning their HIV transmission-related behavior, knowledge, and a variety of conceptual variables taken primarily from social cognitive theory that were thought to be potentially predictive of safer sexual behavior. Analyses of sexually active, unmarried students' responses indicated that men expected more negative outcomes of condom use and were more likely to have sexual intercourse while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, whereas women reported higher perceived self-efficacy to practice safer sex. Regression analyses indicated that, among the factors assessed, stronger perceptions of self-efficacy to engage in safer behavior, expecting fewer negative outcomes of condom use, and less frequency of sex in conjunction with alcohol or other drug use significantly predicted safer sexual behavior. Enhanced self-efficacy to discuss personal history with a new partner was associated with a greater number of risky encounters. Implications of these findings for intervention efforts with students are discussed.