Previous Sexual History Research Articles

Prevalence and Predictors of Sexual Abuse among University Undergraduates in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Background: Sexual abuse is a public health problem that poses serious challenge to health and wellbeing of young persons, globally. This study assessed prevalence and predictors of sexual abuse among undergraduate students in the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria in order to develop appropriate preventive intervention
 Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out among 500 undergraduate students of the University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State. Respondents were selected using multi-stage sampling technique. Selfadministered questionnaires were utilized for the study. Data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
 Results: The mean age of the respondents was 21.4 ± 2.8 years and 300 (60%) were females. Awareness of sexual abuse was 98.0%. Lifetime and period (one year) prevalence of sexual abuse was 320 (64.0%) and 200 (62.5%) respectively. Determinants of sexual abuse were female sex (OR=2.234, CI= 1.532 – 3.527, p<0.001), room sharing (OR=2.637, CI= 0.416 – 0.977, p = 0.039), self-support in school (OR = 2.587, CI= 0.416 – 0.977, p = 0.036), history of previous sexual abuse (OR = 6.043, CI= 3.689 – 6.238, p = 0.001) and history of abusive relationship (OR= 5.010, CI= 1.321 – 3.234, p = 0.023).
 Conclusion: Sexual abuse is prevalent among study population, with more females than males affected. The University of Benin Management should develop preventive measures that will aid prompt identification and reporting of sexual abuse with anonymity to appropriate authority

Female Sexual Dysfunction in Association with Sexual History, Sexual Abuse and Satisfaction: A Cross-Sectional Study in Hungary.

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) has a negative impact on women's quality of life, self-esteem, and physical health. The aim of the present study was to explore the prevalence and the factors associated with FSD using an online questionnaire. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among young adults (18-35 years old) in Hungary using the DSM-5 criteria. The participants (n = 5942) were divided into three major groups: FSD (20.3%), an intermediate group (43.9%), and a control group (35.6%). Most of the women showing FSD were affected with female orgasmic disorder (9.2%) and genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (4.6%), while female sexual interest/arousal disorder was found in altogether 100 women (1.7%); 4.8% of women were affected by more than one definite disorder. The occurrence of female sexual dysfunction was related to the women's previous sexual history (first sexual experience, sexual education, early encounter with pornographic content, and sexual abuse), their self-satisfaction (with their own body, genitalia, and sexual attraction), and their sexual orientation. Sexual dysfunction showed a strong association with abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, and self-esteem. The present study identified the relationship between sexual dysfunctions and other health conditions, which can be the basis for some form of screening and early assistance programs for FSD.

Gender, Myths, and Assumptions: Correlates of Risk Perception in Sexual Assault Scenarios

Sexual violence continues to plague college campuses even with the implementation of bystander intervention programs. Previous research has demonstrated that diminished situational risk recognition increases the risk for sexual assault victimization. However, there is a paucity of research comparing men's and women's risk perception in sexual assault scenarios, risk perception from a victim or perpetrator perspective, or the role of previous sexual violence history, rape myth acceptance, and world assumptions on sexual risk perception. The current study examined male and female college students' risk perception while reading a sexual assault scenario. Participants also completed measures of victim and perpetrator blame, rape myth acceptance, and beliefs in a just world. The results suggested that men's and women's risk perception is influenced by different rape myths and world assumptions. Specifically, women's risk perception and victim blame are associated with sexual communication myths and beliefs in the randomness of the world, while men's risk perception and victim blame are related to the acceptance of myths that women ask for sexual assault and that the world is a just, cruel place. The results call for the incorporation of additional training on how rape myths and world assumptions may impact risk recognition and intervention in sexual assault education. It will also be important to target different barriers to intervention for men and women.

Justice denied? Prosecutors and presiding officers' reliance on evidence of previous sexual history in South African rape trials

This article presents data from a study conducted by the Medical Research Council of South Africa, focusing on rape attrition in South Africa at different stages in the processes (from reporting at a police station to potential conviction). The study found that of the 3 952 reported cases of rape analysed 65% were referred to prosecution, and trials commenced in 18,5% of cases. Of the total 3 952 cases reported, 8,6% resulted in a guilty verdict. Using qualitative data from a subset of trial transcripts, the article focuses specifically on the problematic views of both presiding officers and prosecutors based on rape myths and gender-stereotyping at trial, and suggests that these are a factor affecting the attrition rate between cases referred to trial and those that result in a not guilty verdict.

Justice denied? Prosecutors and presiding officers' reliance on evidence of previous sexual history in South African rape trials

This article presents data from a study conducted by the Medical Research Council of South Africa, focusing on rape attrition in South Africa at different stages in the processes (from reporting at a police station to potential conviction). The study found that of the 3 952 reported cases of rape analysed 65% were referred to prosecution, and trials commenced in 18,5% of cases. Of the total 3 952 cases reported, 8,6% resulted in a guilty verdict. Using qualitative data from a subset of trial transcripts, the article focuses specifically on the problematic views of both presiding officers and prosecutors based on rape myths and gender-stereotyping at trial, and suggests that these are a factor affecting the attrition rate between cases referred to trial and those that result in a not guilty verdict.

Justice Denied? Prosecutors and presiding officers' reliance on evidence of previous sexual history in South African rape trials

Justice Denied? Prosecutors and presiding officers' reliance on evidence of previous sexual history in South African rape trials

Analysis of HIV infection status and the related factors among male students who have sex with men from voluntary counseling and testing clinics by classification tree model in Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province

Objective: To analysis the status of HIV infection and the related factors among students of men who have sex with men (MSM) from voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinics in Changzhoucity Jiangsu province. Methods: A total of 236 subjects with previous male sexual history, 16-25 years of age and less than 3 months of confirmation time of HIV positive infection were recruited in Changzhou from January 2014 to December 2017. Questionnaires were conducted and plasma samples were collected for selenium and HIV antibody testing. The relevant factors of HIV infection among MSM were screened by classification tree model. The model was evaluated using cross validation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: The age of subjects was (20.76±1.97) years old. The age of the first sex with men was (19.14±1.85) years old and the plasma selenium content was (82.59±11.99) ng/ml. Of the 236 subjects, 74.58% (176 cases) were college students or undergraduates; 8.90% (21 cases) were diagnosed with venereal diseases in the last year; 80.93% (191 cases) received health services in the last year, and the positive rate of HIV antibody was 25.00% (59 cases). Four relevant factors were screened by the classification tree model, including the diagnosis of sexual transmitted diseases (STDs) in the last year, health services in the last year, plasma selenium level and education level. The most important factor was whether STDs were diagnosed in the last year. The estimate of re-substitution and cross-validation of the classification tree model was 0.186 and 0.195, and the standard error was 0.025 and 0.026, respectively. The area under the ROC was 0.706 (P<0.001). Conclusion: The MSM HIV antibody positive rate of VCT students in Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province was 25.0%. The diagnosis of STDs in the last year, receiving health services in the last year, plasma selenium level and education level were relevant factors of HIV infection.

Ethical loneliness and the development of a victim-focused approach to rape cases in South Africa

Abstract In this article, I focus on the rape trial of the former South African president, Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma. I have chosen this specific case as it was extensively documented, both in the media and academically, with the main focus being on how the court had relied on gender-stereotyping in coming to its conclusion that the accused was not guilty as well as the degrading onslaught the victim experienced by communities around her. I look at the court's reliance on evidence of previous sexual history in finding that the complainant (Khwezi) was, in fact, an unreliable witness. I endeavour to show how the reliance of the court on rape stereotypes can be humiliating, degrading and one of the causes of secondary victimisation. I argue that Khwezi's harmful experience of the criminal justice system is common to many victims in rape cases. I then proceed to argue that the experience of Khwezi (and many other rape survivors) can be described as what Stauffer calls, ‘ethical loneliness’. As one outlet for this loneliness, I suggest the development of the South African criminal law, which can be applied to criminal law universally, to shift the focus of rape trials from being accused-focused to victim-focused. Through this process, I argue, that law can begin to influence change in the reluctance of society to hear the story of rape survivors and help to create a safe space in communities for survivors to be heard.

Previous sexual history evidence

This article challenges the currently accepted wisdom that ‘previous sexual history evidence is never relevant’. It sketches and defends a conception of ‘relevance’, and uses that conception to analyse the plurality of issues to which previous sexual history evidence may theoretically be relevant. It highlights that evidence of the complainant’s prior sexual relationship with the accused (‘relationship evidence’) does not necessarily rely on legally forbidden propensity reasoning to support relevance. The article then examines the current legal framework in England and Wales and argues that the ‘ECHR gloss’, applied in R v A(2), should never have been required, and has been used in situations, such as R v Evans, where it was likely never intended to. In the current drive to reform s. 41, it is submitted that any such reforms must acknowledge the differences between relationship evidence and other sexual history evidence.

Reforming Indonesian Rape Law: Adopting U.S. Rape Shield Law in Excluding Prejudicial Evidence

Rape is a complicated crime in term of law enforcement. It is usually occurred by someone who has close relationship or connection to the victim. The availability of evidence is also limited. Unfortunately, sexual violence victim often does not receive proper handling from law enforcement. In several cases, the judge undermined victim’s testimony because of past sexual history and lack of resistance that led to more lenient punishment or acquit the defendant. Therefore, I assert that rape law itself should be revised to minimize judge’s prejudice or bias to several shreds of evidence. I suggest that Indonesia could learn from U.S. rape shield law that gives more protection to sexual violence victim. This law encourages the victim to report and increases the probability of conviction because it excludes victim’s previous sexual history and lack of resistance.

Trauma, attachment style, and somatization: a study of women with dyspareunia and women survivors of sexual abuse

BackgroundEvidence points toward shared characteristics between female survivors of sexual abuse and women with dyspareunia. This study explored, for the first time, similarities and differences between women who were exposed to sexual abuse to those with dyspareunia, in order to examine whether insecure attachment styles and high somatization level are associated with trauma among women with dyspareunia.MethodsAttachment styles were explored using the Experience in Close Relationships Scale to reflect participants’ levels of anxiety and avoidance. Somatization was assessed using the Brief Symptom Inventory focusing on the frequency of painful and non-painful bodily complaints. Trauma was categorized into three levels: sexual trauma, nonsexual trauma, and no trauma.ResultsSexually abused (SA) women (n = 21) compared to women with dyspareunia (dys) (n = 44) exhibited insecure attachment styles, as expressed by high levels of avoidance (SA 4.10 ± 0.99 vs. dys 3.08 ± 1.04, t(61) = 2.66, p = .01) and anxiety (SA 4.29 ± 1.22 vs. dys 3.49 ± 1.04, t(61) = 3.61, p = .001), and higher somatization (21.00 ± 8.25 vs. 13.07 ± 7.57, t(59) = 3.63, p = .001). Attachment and somatization level did not differ significantly between women with dyspareunia without trauma to those with nonsexual trauma.ConclusionsOur findings emphasized the unique role of sexual trauma as a contributing factor to the augmentation of perceived bodily symptoms and to insecure attachment style. This illuminates the importance of disclosing previous sexual abuse history among women with dyspareunia.

You should know better! Do health students have different risk attitudes to unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases?

ABSTRACTBecause healthcare professionals are in the best position to assess, assist and educate those participating in risky sexual behaviour, understanding if (and how) their risk attitudes differ from the wider population is of vital importance. In this study, we explore university health students’ risk attitudes towards unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). We examine whether university students pursuing health-related degrees, who hypothetically should have more exposure to and understanding of the risks associated with unplanned pregnancy and STD, have more risk averse attitudes to sexual behaviour. We find that health students’ sexual attitudes are significantly more risk averse than those of their nonhealth peers in relation to STDs but not unplanned pregnancy. In line with previous research, age and no previous sexual history (virginity) appear to increase risk-averse attitudes to both unplanned pregnancy and STDs. Moreover, males and singles are more risk seeking in their sexual attitudes. These findings suggest that, because unplanned pregnancy and STDs are ongoing global issues, further research is warranted into the risk attitudes of those healthcare professionals most able to provide education and support for individuals participating in risky sexual behaviour.

Psychological Outcomes After a Sexual Assault Video Intervention: A Randomized Trial.

Sexual assault survivors are at risk for a number of mental and physical health problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety. Unfortunately, few seek physical or mental health services after a sexual assault (Price, Davidson, Ruggiero, Acierno, & Resnick, 2014). Mitigating the impact of sexual assault via early interventions is a growing and important area of research. This study adds to this literature by replicating and expanding previous studies (e.g., Resnick, Acierno, Amstadter, Self-Brown, & Kilpatrick, 2007) examining the efficacy of a brief video-based intervention that provides psychoeducation and modeling of coping strategies to survivors at the time of a sexual assault nurse examination. Female sexual assault survivors receiving forensic examinations were randomized to standard care or to the video intervention condition (N = 164). The participants completed mental health assessments 2 weeks (n = 69) and 2 months (n = 74) after the examination. Analyses of covariance revealed that women in the video condition had significantly fewer anxiety symptoms at the follow-up assessments. In addition, of those participants in the video condition, survivors reporting no previous sexual assault history reported significantly fewer posttraumatic stress symptoms 2 weeks after the examination than those with a prior assault history. Forensic nurses have the unique opportunity to intervene immediately after a sexual assault. This brief video intervention is a cost-effective tool to aid with that process.

Sexual History Affects Mating Behavior and Mate Choice in the Crayfish Orconectes limosus

AbstractBecause mating entails both costs and potential benefits to both sexes, males and females should be under selection to make optimal choices from among available potential mates. For example, in some cases, individuals may benefit by using information on potential mates' previous sexual histories to make mate choices. In such cases, the form and direction of these benefits may vary both between the sexes and based on the sexual history of the choosing individuals themselves. We investigated the effects of recent previous sexual history on the mate choice and mating behavior of both males and females of the crayfish Orconectes limosus. In one experiment, we found that opposite‐sex dyads comprising crayfish that had both mated 7–8 d previously with other conspecifics were significantly less likely to mate than dyads in which at least one crayfish was unmated. In a second experiment, we found that, when presented with a choice of tethered (but free to move) opposite‐sex conspecifics, only virgin females discriminated between males based on sexual history, showing a preference for virgin males over recently mated males. Mated females, mated males, and virgin males showed no preferences based on the sexual histories of potential mates. We discuss the implications of these inferences in the context of what was previously known about mating behavior and potential sperm limitation in crustaceans and other taxa.

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.

Association of anti-Chlamydia antibodies with ectopic pregnancy in Benin city, Nigeria: A case-control study

Ectopic pregnancy remains a major public health problem especially in many developing countries where it is a significant contributor to pregnancy related morbidity and mortality. To determine the association between prior Chlamydia trachomatis infection and the risk of ectopic pregnancy. A case-control study from two tertiary health care facilities in Benin City, Nigeria. Ninety eight women with ectopic pregnancy (cases) and another 98 women with uncomplicated intrauterine pregnancy (controls) matched for age, were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire and evaluated for serological evidence of prior Chlamydia trachomatis infection. The antibody titres in cases (48%) were significantly higher than in controls (16.3%) (p<0.001). However, the association between Chlamydia antibodies and ectopic pregnancy was attenuated when the effects of indicators of previous pelvic infections, socio-demographic characteristics, contraceptive and sexual history were controlled for. Primary level of education (OR = 6.32; CI, 2.31 - 17.3), three or more lifetime sexual partners (OR = 5.71; CI, 2.39 - 13.65) and prior history of vaginal discharge (OR = 5.00; CI, 2.03 - 12.3) were more likely to be associated with ectopic pregnancy than with the presence of antibodies to Chlamydia trachomatis (OR = 2.82; 95% CI, 1.33 - 5.95). The Population Attributable Risk was 30.9%. Chlamydial infections play only a limited role in the pathogenesis of ectopic pregnancy.

Applying crime scene analysis to the prediction of sexual recidivism in stranger rapes.

The current study sought to improve the predictive accuracy of sexual recidivism using the Static-99 risk assessment tool by the addition of detailed crime scene analysis (CSA). CSA was carried out using a Behavioral Thematic Analysis (BTA) approach, the gold-standard in CSA. BTA was conducted on a sample of 167 stranger rape cases using nonmetric multidimensional scaling (MDS). The BTA procedure revealed three behavioral themes of hostility, criminality, and sexual exploitation, consistent with previous research in sexual offending CSA. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the criminality theme was significantly predictive of sexual recidivism and also significantly correlated with previous sexual offense history. Further, the criminality theme led to a significant increase in the incremental validity of the Static-99 actuarial risk assessment instrument for the prediction of sexual recidivism.

Iowa Universities Join to Combat Sexual Misconduct

Iowa Universities Join to Combat Sexual Misconduct

Prevalence and Correlated Factors of Sexually Transmitted Diseases—Chlamydia, Neisseria, Cytomegalovirus—in Female Rape Victims

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was not well known in female rape victims. To assess the prevalence and correlated factors of STIs--especially Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhea (NG), and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in female rape victims presenting to a dedicated regional referral center in South Korea after settle down of intergrated service center for sexual abuse in study hospital. Positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result for CT, NG, and CMV. A retrospective observational analysis was conducted from December 2008 to February 2010. All females, regardless of age and previous sexual history, who were victims of rape, and self presented or referred to the regional center for medical care and couselling were included. Relevant diagnostic tests for STIs--including PCR by cervical swab-were performed. Analysis for virgin (VIR) and nonvirgin (non-VIR) groups was done separately to compare certain clinical characteristics. A total of 316 females were included. Overall STI prevalence was 32.91%; CT in a majority (28.85%) followed by NG (6.27%), CMV(1.37%). In VIR group, prevalence of STI was 26.67%; 20.00% in CT, 4.55% in GN, 2.33% in CMV. A small and non-significant difference in STI was noted in VIR and non-VIR groups (26.67% vs. 34.26%, respectively). STI prevalence was higher in young women 20 to 24 years of age and girls 15 to 19 years of age compared with other age groups. Age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.909, confidence interval [CI]: 0.851-0.971) and pyuria (OR: 3.454, CI: 1.567-7.614) were determined as significant correlated factors after multivariate regression analysis. Prevalence of CT and GN in female rape victims was introduced and it was higher than that in the general population. Even in the VIR group, it was high. CMV prevalence in the female genital tract was reported firstly.

Sexualidad en las mujeres mayores

To determine the prevalence of sexual relations in women >or=65 years. To determine factors that affect their activity and interest in sex. To evaluate the impact on their quality of life. DESIGN. Descriptive, cross-sectional study by means of survey.Palacio de Segovia Health Centre, Madrid, Spain. Primary care.Women >or=65 years old. Criteria of exclusion: bed-ridden women, with psychiatric disease and/or moderate-severe cognitive deterioration. Sequential selection from 10 medical lists.Social and demographic, medical, geriatric (Katz and Lawton-Brody index), quality of life (WONCA sheets), variables on sexuality.One hundred and sixty two women. Mean age, 74.7 (7.8). Sixty one women with a stable partner (37.7%). Thirty four maintained sexual relations (20.98%), 61.8% (21) of them with coitus: these were satisfactory for 29 women (85.3%). For 50 (30.8%), communication was the most important aspect of sexuality. The lower their age, the more sexual relations they had (P<.022; odds ratio [OR]=0.85; 0.74-0.97). Of 115 women satisfied with the relations of their youth, 28.7% maintained sexual relations now (P<.003; OR=17; 1.7-178.8). The 23.9% maintained their sexual desire, though their partners had more interest in sex (50.9%). Women with stable partners and high self-esteem had more sexual relations than those who had neither, with a significant difference in both cases (P<.001). Maintaining sexual relations is a dependent factor on the Katz index (P<.007). The 32.2% of women thought that their sex life had changed for the worse, while 30.12% (20.54+19.17) thought their sex life had not changed or had improved.One of every 4 women >64 years old maintain sexual relations. Factors that determine sexual activity are: self-esteem, having a partner, sexual desire, previous sexual history, and the Katz index. Sexual relations are independent of quality of life.