Patterns Of Sexual Activity Research Articles

(046) Pattern of Sexual Activities among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic

Abstract Introduction Sexuality is rarely discussed in many cultures even in clinical context. Sexual repression and abstinence are not uncommon among pregnant women due to several factors; some of which may be related to ignorance. The pattern of sexual activity in pregnancy with its associated changes and challenges remain poorly understood due to a complex interplay of bio-psycho-social factor. Objective This study demonstrates the pattern of sexual activities among pregnant women with associated changes resulting from pregnancy as well as perception and experiences of these women about sexual activities and function in pregnancy. Methods Pre-tested self-administered questionnaires were used to obtain data from women in second and third trimesters of uncomplicated pregnancies about their sexual activities before and during pregnancy as well as their perception about sexual activities in pregnancy. Results The study recruited 228 pregnant women aged 19 to 44years (Mean - 31.7years) with an average gestational age of 27.8weeks and most (93.8%) were singleton. Most of the respondents were married (97.4%) with tertiary level of education (87.9%). Majority (60.1%) were multiparous and most (96.5%) have commenced antenatal care. Majority (58.8%) reported only one lifetime sexual partner with mean age at coitarche of 23.6years. Only 1.3% have multiple sexual partners during the index pregnancy. Most (74.8%) had sexual activities at least once weekly prior pregnancy. During pregnancy however, only 48% had sexual activities at least once weekly, 25.3% had sexual activity less than once monthly, 5.8% had no sexual activity at all in pregnancy. Frequency of sexual activity in pregnancy was moderately associated with frequency before pregnancy (Pearson–0.428, p-0.000). Regarding changes in sexual activity and function associated with pregnancy; 53.5% reported a negative effect, 28.6% had improvement and 18% reported no change in frequency of sexual activities. Regarding sexual desire, 46.1% had reduction, 31.6% reported improvement and 22.3% reported no effect on their desire. For lubrication however, 39.5% had improvement, 31.2% reported reduction whereas 29.3% reported no change. Their overall satisfaction with their sexual function was reported as better in pregnancy m 43.7%, no change in 20.2% and reduction in 36.1%. Although 77.5% of respondents agreed that regular sexual activities can improve bonding with their partners, 64.3% of respondents were afraid of risk of injury to the baby, 58.8% were afraid of risk of infection, and 51.2% were afraid of bleeding in pregnancy and these fears were reported as reasons for their decision regarding sexual activities in pregnancy. Conclusions Marked reduction in frequency of sexual activities were reported in pregnancy; women who had infrequent intercourse prior pregnancy were more likely to have infrequent intercourse in pregnancy. Fear of injury to the baby, bleeding and infection were among the topmost reasons sexual activities were avoided in pregnancy. Education of pregnant women may reduce unnecessary abstinence and sexual repression in pregnancy and avoid its psychosocial consequences on these women and their partners. Disclosure No.

Unwanted sexual activity among United States women early in the COVID-19 pandemic

BackgroundFemale sexual activity and, accordingly, birth rates, tend to decline in times of stress, such as a pandemic. Additionally, when resources are scarce or exogenous conditions are threatening, some women may engage in sexual activity primarily to maintain socioeconomic security. Having unwanted sex may indicate sexual activity in exchange for economic security.ObjectiveTo describe patterns and correlates of unwanted sex, defined as having sex more frequently than desired, among U.S. women early in the COVID-19 pandemic.Study DesignThe National U.S. Women’s Health COVID-19 Study was conducted in April 2020, using a nested quota sample design to enroll 3,200 English-speaking women (88% cooperation rate) ages 18-90 years recruited from a research panel. The quota strata ensured sufficient sample sizes in sociodemographic groups of interest, namely racial and ethnic sub-groups. Patterns of sexual activity, including unwanted sex early in the pandemic, were described. To further elucidate the experiences of women reporting unwanted sex, open-ended responses to an item querying “how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting your sex life” were assessed using conventional content analysis. Logistic regression analyses - adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, self-reported health and pre-pandemic health-related socioeconomic risk factors (HRSRs), including food insecurity, housing instability, utilities and transportation difficulties and interpersonal violence - were used to model the odds of unwanted sex by pandemic-related change in HRSRs.ResultsThe proportion of women who were sexually active early in the pandemic (51%) was about the same as in the 12 months pre-pandemic (52%), although 7% became active and 7% became inactive. Eleven percent of sexually active women were having unwanted sex in the early pandemic. Rates of anxiety, depression, traumatic stress symptoms and each of the five HRSRs assessed were about 2 times higher among women having unwanted sex compared to others (p-values <0.001). Women having unwanted sex were also 5 times more likely than others to report increased frequency of sex since the pandemic (65% vs 13%, p<0.001) and 6 times more likely to be using emergency contraception (18% vs 3%, p<0.001). Women reporting unwanted sex commonly described decreased libido or interest in sex related to mood changes since the pandemic, having "more sex," fear or worry about transmission of the virus due to sex, and having sex to meet the partner's needs. Among sexually active women, odds of unwanted sex (adjusting for demographic, reproductive and health factors) were higher among women with one (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1, 3.8) and two or more pre-pandemic HRSRs (aOR 6.0, 95% CI 3.4, 10.6). Among sexually active women with any pre-pandemic HRSRs, those with new or worsening transportation difficulties early in the pandemic were particularly vulnerable to unwanted sex (aOR 2.7, 95% CI 1.7, 4.3).ConclusionsMore than one in ten sexually active U.S. women was having unwanted sex early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Socioeconomically vulnerable women, especially those with new or worsening transportation problems due to the pandemic, were more likely than others to engage in unwanted sex. Pandemic response and recovery efforts should seek to mitigate unwanted sexual activity and related health and social risks among women.

Patterns of Sexual Activity and the Development of Sexual Pain Across the Menopausal Transition

(Abstracted from Obstet Gynecol 2022;139:1130–1140) A frequently reported symptom in mid-life and older women is painful intercourse. Prevalence estimates range from 20% to 59% in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Patterns of Sexual Activity and the Development of Sexual Pain Across the Menopausal Transition.

To examine whether patterns of sexual intercourse frequency and demographic, menopausal status, genitourinary, health, and psychosocial factors are associated with developing sexual pain across the menopausal transition. These were longitudinal analyses of questionnaire data from the multicenter, multiracial and ethnic prospective cohort SWAN (Study of Women's Health Across the Nation) (1995-2008). We used multivariable discrete-time proportional hazards models to examine whether incident sexual pain was associated with preceding long-term (up to 10 visits) or short-term (two and three visits) sexual intercourse frequency patterns or other factors (eg, menopause status, genitourinary symptoms, lifestyle factors, and mental health). Of the 2,247 women with no sexual pain at baseline, 1,087 (48.4%) developed sexual pain at least "sometimes" up to 10 follow-up visits over 13 years. We found no consistent association between prior patterns of sexual intercourse frequency and development of sexual pain. For example, neither decreases in intercourse frequency from baseline (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.93, 95% CI 0.73-1.19) nor decreases in frequency over three prior visits (aHR 1.00, 95% CI 0.72-1.41) were associated with incident pain. Reasons for interruptions in intercourse activity at the prior visit, including lack of interest (aHR 1.64, 95% CI 0.74-3.65) and relationship issues (aHR 0.36, 95% CI 0.04-2.88), were not associated with developing pain. Being postmenopausal using hormone therapy (aHR 3.16, 95% CI 1.46-6.85), and reported vaginal dryness (aHR 3.73, 95% CI 2.88-4.83) were most strongly associated with incident sexual pain. Long-term and short-term declines in sexual intercourse frequency across the menopausal transition were not associated with increased hazard of developing pain with intercourse. This empirical evidence does not support the common belief that a reduction in women's sexual frequency is responsible for their symptoms of sexual pain.

Implementing adaptive youth-centered adolescent sexual reproductive health programming: learning from the Adolescents 360 project in Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Nigeria (2016-2020).

Adolescents 360 (A360) was a 4.5-year project working directly with young people to increase demand for, and voluntary uptake of, modern contraception among adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years. A360 utilized human centered design (HCD) to create four adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) interventions across three countries - Smart Start in Ethiopia, Kuwa Mjanja in Tanzania, Matasa Matan Arewa (MMA) in northern Nigeria, and 9ja Girls in southern Nigeria. A360's interventions tap into girls' aspirations and position contraception as a tool that can support them in pursuing their life goals. As A360 transitioned from its first program phase into its follow-on in 2020, the project examined what it had accomplished, where it had failed, and what it had learned in the process, with the goal of contributing to the global evidence base and building on these lessons in its follow-on program. A360 draws out five key lessons in this publication. These lessons speak to 1) the value of A360's aspirational program components and the need to meaningfully support girls to pursue their life goals holistically; 2) the necessity of taking a consistent and rigorous approach to improving the enabling environment for contraceptive use to promote transformative change; 3) the need to find program and measurement approaches that respond to girls' unique patterns of sexual activity, and support contraceptive continuation; 4) the usefulness of continuous program improvement during implementation to maintain a user-centered focus and create a culture of curiosity and innovation; and 5) the tension between designing for users and beginning with program sustainability in mind from the outset. A360 continues to grow in its understanding of what it takes to support sustained, transformative, holistic change for adolescent girls and commits to openness and transparency regarding successes and failures during its next project phase.

Quantifying the potential market for new contraceptive technologies: global projections of 2040 contraceptive needs and preferences

Background: Despite a wide range of contraceptive methods, unmet need persists. New contraceptive technologies (CTs) have the potential to improve uptake and continuation. CT development has a long-time horizon; products will be introduced into markets that look very different than today. Identifying viable investments requires an understanding of these future markets. For this work the 2040 potential contraceptive market is described utilizing seven market segments based on marital status, fertility preferences, and patterns of sexual activity outside of marriage. Methods: Market size estimates are developed by country for all countries in the world for a current market (2020) and a future market (2040). United Nation’s (UN) population projections of the number of women of reproductive age (WRA) form the basis of this work. WRA are then segmented into market segments based on marital status, fertility intentions, and patterns of sexual activity outside of marriage. Each segment is further subdivided by contraceptive use versus non-use. Segmentation draws from UN projections, household surveys, census data, and modeling techniques developed for this work. Results: The largest market increases will be seen in Africa; most notably among the segment of married women wanting no more children. By contrast, Asia will see declines across all three married segments, coupled with increases among sexually active unmarried segments. Levels of contraceptive use are projected to vary widely by segment, with differential patters across regions. Conclusions: This analysis projects the impact of demographic changes, evolving fertility preferences, shifts in sexual activity outside of marriage and increased utilization of contraceptives in shaping the contraceptive market of 2040. Results show that there is not one global market, but distinct markets that vary in size and shape across the world. This diversity suggests that a range of different new CTs could have potential for uptake.

Quantifying the potential market for new contraceptive technologies: global projections of 2040 contraceptive needs and preferences.

Background: Despite a wide range of contraceptive methods, unmet need persists. New contraceptive technologies (CTs) have the potential to improve uptake and continuation. CT development has a long-time horizon; products will be introduced into markets that look very different than today. Identifying viable investments requires an understanding of these future markets. For this work the 2040 potential contraceptive market is described utilizing seven market segments based on marital status, fertility preferences, and patterns of sexual activity outside of marriage. Methods: Market size estimates are developed by country for all countries in the world for a current market (2020) and a future market (2040). United Nation's (UN) population projections of the number of women of reproductive age (WRA) form the basis of this work. WRA are then segmented into market segments based on marital status, fertility intentions, and patterns of sexual activity outside of marriage. Each segment is further subdivided by contraceptive use versus non-use. Segmentation draws from UN projections, household surveys, census data, and modeling techniques developed for this work. Results: The largest market increases will be seen in Africa; most notably among the segment of married women wanting no more children. By contrast, Asia will see declines across all three married segments, coupled with increases among sexually active unmarried segments. Levels of contraceptive use are projected to vary widely by segment, with differential patters across regions. Conclusions: This analysis projects the impact of demographic changes, evolving fertility preferences, shifts in sexual activity outside of marriage and increased utilization of contraceptives in shaping the contraceptive market of 2040. Results show that there is not one global market, but distinct markets that vary in size and shape across the world. This diversity suggests that a range of different new CTs could have potential for uptake.

Sexual Activity and Weekly Contraceptive Discontinuation and Selection Among Young Adult Women in Michigan

Understanding young women’s contraceptive and pregnancy prevention behaviors is important for helping women and their partners control if and when they have children. Prior research on associations between patterns of sexual activity and contraceptive behaviors is limited. We assessed the influence of recent sexual activity on discontinuation and selection of specific contraceptive methods. We used weekly data from the Relationship Dynamics and Social Life (RDSL) study, a longitudinal 2.5-year population-based project that sampled woman ages 18 and 19 (N = 1,003) in one Michigan county. We estimated logistic and multinomial regression models that accounted for clustering of weekly observations within partnerships and women. Weekly discontinuation of longer-acting methods declined with increasing sexual activity in the past month, as did discontinuation of shorter-acting hormonal methods. Sexual activity was associated with decreased selection of condoms relative to other methods. Future research into life events that lead to changes in the frequency of sexual activity may provide insight into times when women are at risk of contraceptive discontinuation. These findings underscore the importance of anticipatory guidance in contraceptive counseling so that when women change their contraceptive behavior they are equipped in advance with resources to make safe transitions between methods.

Relative patterns of sexual activity and fertility among HIV positive and negative women—Evidence from 46 DHS

ObjectivesProjections of fertility of HIV positive women as ART scales up are needed to plan prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services. We describe differences in exposure to pregnancy between HIV positive and HIV negative women by age, region and national ART coverage to evaluate the extent to which behavioural differences explain lower fertility among HIV positive women and assess whether exposure to pregnancy has changed with antiretroviral treatment (ART) scale-up.MethodsWe analysed 46 nationally representative household surveys in sub-Saharan Africa conducted between 2003 and 2015 to estimate risk of exposure to recent sex and pregnancy of HIV positive and HIV negative women by age using a log binomial model. We tested for regional and urban/rural differences and associations with national ART coverage. We estimated an adjusted fertility rate ratio of HIV positive to HIV negative women adjusting for differences in exposure to pregnancy.ResultsExposure to pregnancy differs significantly between HIV positive and negative women by age, modified by region. Younger HIV positive women have a higher exposure to pregnancy than HIV negative women and the opposite is true at older ages. The switch occurs at 25–29 for rural women and 30–34 for urban women. There was no evidence that exposure to pregnancy of HIV positive women have changed as national ART coverage increased. The inferred rate of fecundity of HIV positive women when adjusted for differences in exposure to pregnancy were lower than unadjusted fertility rate ratios in women aged 20–29 and 20–24 in urban and rural areas respectively varying between 0.6 and 0.9 over regions.DiscussionThe direct effects of HIV on fertility are broadly similar across ages, while the dramatic age gradient that has frequently been observed is largely attributable to variation in relative sexual exposure by age.

Differences in the ability to predict and prepare for sexual activity between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected young South African Women.

The Human Research Council’s National HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behavior Survey ranks South Africa first in HIV incidence in the world with 400,000 new infections in 2012 and found the HIV incidence rate among female youth aged 15 to 24 years to be 2.5% that year. The objective of this study was to compare the pattern and predictability of sexual activity between HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected young South African women. Sexually active young women between the ages of 16 and 21 years old completed a study survey between October 2012 and 2014 at two Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation centers. 100 young women with a mean age of 19.04 years responded to the survey. 51 women (51%) were HIV-infected and 49 were HIV-uninfected (49%). HIV-infected young women were found to be statistically less likely to have a temporal pattern to their sexual activity as compared to HIV-uninfected young women (56.9 vs. 95.9%, p<0.0001). While controlling for frequency of sex and lifetime sexual partners, HIV status remains a significant predictor of having a pattern of sexual activity (OR=16.13, p=0.0004) and a predictor of having sex on the weekend only (OR=4.41, p=0.0022). The ability to predict when sexual activity will occur enables a woman to prepare for its associated risks. HIV-uninfected young women are more likely to have a predictable pattern to their sexual activity as compared to HIV-infected young women. Knowledge of the sexual behavior patterns of this high-risk population will aid in the development of effective HIV prevention campaigns.

Hubungan penggunaan IUD (intrauterin device) dengan pola aktivitas seksual pada perempuan di Kota Kupang

The use of intra uterine device (IUD) and sexual activity patterns in women in KupangPurposeThe purpose of this study was to know the influence of intra uterine device type contraceptive use to the pattern of sexual activity.MethodsThis research was an observational study with a cross-sectional design using questionnaires to collect data. The samples were 190 women of fertile age in the city of Kupang. The correlation of intra uterine device usage and sexual activities pattern was analyzed by using chi square tests, and continued with multivariate analysis using logistic regression tests, using confidence interval (CI) of 95% and a level of significance of p&lt;0.05.ResultsThere was no significant difference in patterns of sexual activities of women using intra uterine device with those who were not using contraception. The variables that were statistically significant were age, parity, duration of marriage and effects of intra uterine device use. Meanwhile variables that were not statistically significant were working status and duration of intra uterine device use.ConclusionThe usage of intra uterine device contraception did not affect patterns of sexual activities of women in Kupang. However, the effect of intra uterine device usage did have influence toward sexual activity, but such effect would be reduced over time up to 1 year of using. The recommendations given in this research is that it is necessary to further analyze intra uterine device usage effects toward sexual activities patterns.

Prevalence and Patterns of Sexual Activity during Pregnancy in Kano, Northern Nigeria.

Very little has been documented on sexual activity during pregnancy in northern Nigeria. We examined prevalence and factors associated with vaginal intercourse during pregnancy in Kano, Nigeria. A cross section of 336 pregnant women attending antenatal care at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital was interviewed using pre-tested structured questionnaire. Nearly all respondents (96.4%; n=324) reported vaginal intercourse during the index pregnancy. By trimester, 88.4%, 90.7% and 97.4% women had coitus during the first, second and third trimesters respectively, (P>0.05). Relative to pre-pregnancy behavior, 55.4%, 16.3% and 28.3% women reported decreased, increased and unchanged coital frequency, respectively. Ninety six (29.6%) of the sexually active women reported having problems. These included vaginal soreness/pain, abdominal discomfort, bleeding, rupture of the membranes, urinary incontinence and vaginal dryness and itching. History of previous miscarriages and higher pre-pregnancy coital frequency were significantly associated with sexual activity during pregnancy (P <0.05). Vaginal intercourse is nearly universal among pregnant women attending this center with little variation between the trimesters. Health providers should counsel couples on safe coital activity during pregnancy and clear any misconceptions.

Sexual Activity and Function in the Year After an Acute Myocardial Infarction Among Younger Women and Men in the United States and Spain.

Most younger adults who experience an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are sexually active before the AMI, but little is known about sexual activity or sexual function after the event. To describe patterns of sexual activity and function and identify indicators of the probability of loss of sexual activity in the year after AMI. Data from the prospective, multicenter, longitudinal Variation in Recovery: Role of Gender on Outcomes of Young AMI Patients study (conducted from August 21, 2008, to January 5, 2012) were assessed at baseline, 1 month, and 1 year. Participants were from US (n = 103) and Spanish (n = 24) hospitals and completed baseline and all follow-up interviews. Data analysis for the present study was conducted from October 15, 2014, to June 6, 2016. Characteristics associated with loss of sexual activity were assessed using multinomial logistic regression analyses. Loss of sexual activity after AMI. Of the 2802 patients included in the analysis, 1889 were women (67.4%); median (25th-75th percentile) age was 49 (44-52) years (range, 18-55 years). At all time points, 637 (40.4%) of women and 437 (54.9%) of men were sexually active. Among people who were active at baseline, men were more likely than women to have resumed sexual activity by 1 month (448 [63.9%] vs 661 [54.5%]; P < .001) and by 1 year (662 [94.4%] vs 1107 [91.3%]; P = .01) after AMI. Among people who were sexually active before and after AMI, women were less likely than men to report no sexual function problems in the year after the event (466 [40.3%] vs 382 [54.8%]; P < .01). In addition, more women than men (211 [41.9%] vs 107 [30.5%]; P < .01) with no baseline sexual problems developed 1 or more incident problems in the year after the AMI. At 1 year, the most prevalent sexual problems were lack of interest (487 [39.6%]) and trouble lubricating (273 [22.3%]) among women and erectile difficulties (156 [21.7%]) and lack of interest (137 [18.8%]) among men. Those who had not communicated with a physician about sex in the first month after AMI were more likely to delay resuming sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.51; 95% CI, 1.11-2.05; P = .008). Higher stress levels (AOR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.01-1.83) and having diabetes (AOR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.15-3.13) were significant indicators of the probability of loss of sexual activity in the year after the AMI. Impaired sexual activity and incident sexual function problems were prevalent and more common among young women than men in the year after AMI. Attention to modifiable risk factors and physician counseling may improve outcomes.

Sexual Behaviors, Healthcare Interactions, and HIV-Related Perceptions Among Adults Age 60 Years and Older: An Investigation by Race/Ethnicity.

Older adults are remaining sexually active for longer periods of time, underscoring the need to assess sexual activity patterns in this group and identify differences by race/ethnicity, some of which may have implications for the development and implementation of sexual risk reduction interventions. Using data from the 2010 National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project, this study examined responses from 1,429 adults aged 60 years and older. Multinomial logistic regression compared sexual behaviors, health-related indicators, interactions with healthcare professionals, and HIV-related perceptions across participants' race/ethnicity. Approximately 81% of participants self-reported as non-Hispanic white, 10.59% as African American, and 8.05% as Hispanic. On average, participants were 69.9 years of age. In the previous year, 49.3% of participants engaged in sexual intercourse; only 3% used condoms. The majority of participants (83.1%) visited a physician at least twice in the previous year, 30.9% had discussed sex with a physician since turning 50, and 14.2% had been tested for HIV. Relative to non-Hispanic whites, African Americans were more likely to be divorced (OR=3.23, P<0.001) or widowed (OR=2.90, P<0.001); have more lifetime sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnoses (OR=1.67, P=0.030); and have paid for sex (OR=2.83, P=0.002). Although African Americans had greater perceived risk for HIV infection (OR=1.66, P=0.046), they were less likely to have discussed sex with a physician since turning 50 (OR=0.45, P=0.009). Contextualized interventions to improve patient-provider communication and proactive screening behaviors in sexually-active and aging African Americans are needed.

Sexual disorders among elderly: An epidemiological study in south Indian rural population.

Background:Realizing a dearth of data on this topic, especially in the Indian context, an epidemiological study was conducted in a south Indian rural population to identify the sexual activity patterns and sexual problems among the population above 60 years of age.Objectives:(1) Assessment of sexual activity patterns among individuals above 60 years. (2) Assessment of the prevalence of sexual disorders among individuals above 60 years.Materials and Methods:The study sample consisted of 259 participants, which included both males and females above 60 years of age. Subjects who were sexually active and fulfilled the study criteria were administered Arizona Sexual Experience Scale as a screening tool, for the presence of sexual problems. Those who were found to have sexual problems were interviewed further using appropriate questionnaires.Results:Only 27.4% of the individuals above 60 years were sexually active, and it progressively dropped as age advanced and none were sexually active after 75 years of age. Among the sexually active males, erectile dysfunction (ED) was prevalent in 43.5%, premature ejaculation in 10.9%, hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSSD) in 0.77% and anorgasmia in 0.38% of the subjects. Among females, arousal disorder was prevalent in 28%, HSSD in 16%, anorgasmia in 20% and dyspareunia in 8% of the subjects.Conclusion:The study gives us an insight into the sexual problems of the elderly and brings home the point that sexual problems are very much common among both men and women in the older population. Among elderly males, ED is the most common sexual disorder whereas in elderly females, arousal disorder is the most prevalent female sexual dysfunction, implicating biology plays an important role in men, whereas psychology plays an important role in women sexual functioning.

Race, Ethnicity, and the Changing Context of Childbearing in the United States.

In what ways do childbearing patterns in the contemporary United States vary for white, black, and Hispanic women? Why do these differences exist? Although completed family size is currently similar for white and black women, and only modestly larger for Hispanic women, we highlight persistent differences across groups with respect to the timing of childbearing, the relationship context of childbearing, and the extent to which births are intended. We next evaluate key explanations for these differences. Guided by a "proximate determinants" approach, we focus here on patterns of sexual activity, contraceptive use, and post-conception outcomes such as abortion and changes in mothers' relationship status. We find contraceptive use to be a particularly important contributor to racial and ethnic differences in childbearing, yet reasons for varying use of contraception itself remain insufficiently understood. We end by reflecting on promising directions for further research.

Religiosity, religious affiliation, and patterns of sexual activity and contraceptive use in France

ABSTRACTObjective To examine the association between religiosity and sexual and contraceptive behaviours in France.Methods Data were drawn from the 2005 Health Barometer survey, a random sample of 7495 women and 5634 men aged 15 to 44. We used logistic regression models to study the associations between religiosity and sexual and contraceptive behaviours, by gender and religious denomination.Results Three quarters of respondents (73%) reported no religious practice, 20% practised occasionally, and 7% regularly. Regular practice was associated with later sexual debut, regardless of religious denomination. Among participants less than 30 years old, religious respondents were less likely to have used a condom at first sexual intercourse (odds ratio [OR] = 0.2 for women, OR = 0.4 for men) or any form of contraception (OR = 0.2 for women). At the time of the survey, sexually experienced adolescents who reported regular religious practice were less likely to use contraception (84.7% vs. 98.1%, p < 0.001). Regular practice was associated with a 50% decrease in the odds of using very effective methods for Catholics, but had no effect among Muslims.Conclusion This study, conducted in the French secularised context, shows a complex relationship between religiosity and sexual behaviours, which varies by gender, religious affiliation and during the life course.

Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile Dysfunction

Aging and the course of desire

The desire to make a difference in the world, to receive the esteem and approval of others, and to be attractive to others for the person one is, is a basic human longing. The fate of such desire over the course of life is a subject that has largely been relegated to studies of changing patterns of sexual activity with advancing age. The broader topic of the human desire to remain actively engaged in the world has yet to be fully developed and incorporated within sociological theories of aging. We know little of the variables that affect the workings of desire and the circumstances under which desire is more or less likely to be manifest. Due to its reluctance to bridge the disciplinary boundaries that separate structural and social psychological approaches to theorizing age, sociologists of aging and the life course have rarely considered the ways in which human desire for recognition, love, and influence affect behavior at various points in the life course. In this paper, I address the problem of the social breakdown syndrome that is thought to bring about an atrophy in the skills and talents of those in old age. With concepts drawn from the dramaturgical literature in sociology, I argue that those who continue to benefit from the emotional energy that derives from satisfying and productive social interactions will age in ways that cannot be explained by existing sociological theories of aging.

Patterns of sexual activity among young Polish women born between 1975 and 1995

Patterns of sexual activity among young Polish women born between 1975 and 1995