Sexual Relationships Research Articles

Exploring the Association Between Sexual Agency and Intimate Relationship Violence Experienced and Perpetrated by Brazilian and Portuguese Women

Abstract Introduction Women’s vulnerability to violence in intimate relationships has been negatively associated with the development of sexual agency and is not considered just an individual responsibility in the face of a series of social and economic inequalities to which women are exposed. This study aims to verify the association between sexual agency and violence experienced and perpetrated in intimate relationships, as well as the predictive role of sexual agency on violence, and compare populations with economic, social, and educational differences. Methods A cross-sectional online survey was carried out in 2023 with 322 female university students—161 Brazilian and 161 Portuguese, aged between 18 and 29—using measures to verify sexual agency and different types of violence experienced and perpetrated by women in intimate relationships. The data were analyzed using the Mann–Whitney U-test, Spearman’s correlation coefficient, and multivariate linear regression analysis. Results Data showed Brazilian women having higher scores in all the variables of experienced and perpetrated violence. Sexual practices and refusal were negatively associated with violence experienced by Brazilian women. Refusal and pregnancy/STI prevention were negatively associated with violence experienced by Portuguese women. Conclusions The differences between groups can be attributed to the intersecting systems of oppression—such as gender, race, and social class—that amplify vulnerabilities and limit investments in protective policies for women, as well as in educational initiatives focused on violence prevention. Policy Implications Results suggest the development of violence prevention programs, comprehensive sexual education programs, and policies that focus on promoting women’s sexual agency.

Psychosocial predictors of attitude toward premarital sexual practice among university students, Ethiopia

ObjectivesPremarital sexual practice during adolescence may lead to different sexual and reproductive health problems, including HIV/AIDS. The objective of this study was to assess psychosocial predictors of attitudes toward premarital sex among Bahir Dar University students.MethodsA correlational design was used. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select 375 respondents for the study, although the analysis was based on the 361 questionnaires that were returned from the field and found useful for analysis. Data was collected using a self-developed and modified instrument on standardized scales. The internal consistency of the Perception of Peer Pressure Scale was 0.83, while the self-esteem measuring scale had a reliability of 0.77. The internal consistency of the sexual attitude inventory scale was 0.97. The data were quantitatively analyzed using (inferential statistics) logistic regression, one sample t test, and an independent sample t test.ResultsThe findings of the study showed that all the psychological variables investigated were found to significantly predict premarital sexual relationships among the respondents. Male students with the experience of premarital sex have a higher level of self-esteem and exposure to peer pressure than their female counterparts. A study suggests that male students with the experience of premarital sex have a higher level of self-esteem and exposure to peer pressure than their female counterparts. Self-esteem negatively predicted attitudes toward premarital sex.ConclusionScaling up the level of school counseling, especially in the area of sexual adjustment and modification of the psychological variables investigated, was recommended.

Development of the Indonesian sexual quality of life scale for women (ISQOL-W)

Sexual quality of life is greatly influenced by sexual function, yet thorough measures remain limited and vary across regions. In Indonesia, diverse cultural and religious contexts notably shape sexual quality of life. Thus, it is important to have a tool that considers both internal and external aspects. The aim of this study was to develop a valid and reliable scale that specifically measures Indonesian sexual quality of life for women (ISQOL-W), considering cultural and social factors. A total of 228 participants were recruited from April 30, 2023, to September 30, 2023. The ISQOL-W was developed through two phases: item generation and psychometric evaluation. In the first phase, 68 items were drafted based on definitions and dimensions of sexual quality of life. In the second phase, exploratory factor analysis resulted in 34 items with a loading factor greater than 0.4 (ranging from 0.41 to 0.84) which were categorized into four domains/factors: sexual-related emotion, sexual fantasy, sexual arousal, and sexual relationship. The Cronbach’s α coefficient for the overall questionnaire was 0.915, with subscale reliability ranging from 0.826 to 0.903. Further analysis revealed significant differences in ISQOL-W scores across relationship status, educational level, history of last sexual activity, and type of sexual activity. In conclusion, the ISQOL-W demonstrated robust psychometric properties, supporting its use in future studies. This study represents the first effort to develop and validate a sexual quality of life scale specifically for Indonesian women.

Promising selective alpha-1 blocker silodosin as a new therapeutic strategy for premature ejaculation and its drug adverse effect: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Introduction and Objectives: Premature ejaculation (PE) occurs in 31% of productive men aged 18-59 years, leading to disappointment and avoidance of sexual relations. The current guideline of treatment for PE is Dapoxetine, which possesses several adverse effects causing the limitation of long-term use. Silodosin, an alpha-1 blocker, has been proposed as a new option for treating PE due to its minimal side effects. Therefore, our study aims to assess the efficacy of silodosin in treating PE.Materials and Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was in accordance with Cochrane Handbook guidelines. Comprehensive literature search was conducted in several databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The studies were included if they met the following criteria: (1) Involving premature ejaculation patients; (2) Intervention using silodosin; (3) Comparing placebo or other therapies for PE (4) Outcome includes the Intravaginal Ejaculation Latency Time (IELT) and reported adverse events related to the therapy. Study quality was assessed using Cochrane risk-of-bias criteria. Statistical analysis in this study was performed using Review Manager 5.4 Results: A total of four studies were included in this meta-analysis. Our study showed that patients who received silodosin had a significantly longer IELT compared to control (MD: 132.54, 95% CI 51.51-213.57, p<0.001). However, patient treated with silodosin also possessed significantly higher risk of adverse event for developing reduced semen ejaculation (OR 10.79, 95% CI 3.46 – 33.67, p<0.0001).Conclusion: Silodosin significantly increased IELT. However, it also reduced semen ejaculation as its drug adverse effect. This result supports the clinical use of silodosin as an alternative treatment for premature ejaculation.

Predictors of consistent condom use among male construction workers who have engaged in concurrent sex with regular sex partners, casual sex partners, and sex workers over a 3-month period

ABSTRACT This study investigates the predictors of consistent condom use among male construction workers in South Africa who reported concurrent sexual relationships with regular partners, casual partners, and sex workers over a 3-month period. A cross-sectional survey was used to collect data from a convenience sample of 450 male workers across 18 construction work sites in the Western Cape province. Of these, 245 (54%) indicated that they had engaged in sex with all three partner types during the 3-month study period. Hierarchical multiple linear regression was then used to assess consistent condom use as a function of demographic, experiential, behavioural and cognitive characteristics. Three statistically significant predictors of consistent condom use were identified: perceived control over condom use (β = 0.252, p < 0.001), positive attitude toward condom use (β = 0.154, p < 0.05) and fear of HIV infection (β = 0.121, p < 0.05). These findings highlight the high prevalence of sexual concurrency among study participants. It also suggests that amid declining condom use, interventions which focus on enhancing an individuals’ condom application skills and efficacy, that foster positive attitudes toward condom use and that strategically incorporate fear-based messaging within a multilevel framework may potentially increase condom use among individuals in concurrent sexual relationships.

The Effect of Vaginal Tightening Surgery on Sexual Function: A Systematic Review.

Lifetime physiological or pathological events, such as vaginal delivery and menopause, may change vaginal structure and appearance, owing to local tissue expansion and separation of the pelvic floor muscles, which can affect a woman's sexual relationships. This systematic review was aimed at exploring the effect of vaginal tightening surgery on female sexual function. Articles that had measured female sexual function after vaginal tightening were considered eligible. Articles on vaginal tightening surgeries conducted only for cosmetic and/or sexual and/or functional reasons (not for medical indications) and which evaluated postoperative sexual function by a quantitative tool were included. A literature review was conducted by searching databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov from the beginning of 2000 until 1 February 2024. The authors identified 11 studies that had evaluated sexual function after vaginal reconstructive procedures designed to adjudicate sexual issues involving loss of friction, orgasmic, and aesthetic concerns. Although most of the studies implied that vaginal tightening could improve sexual function, more meticulous assessment of the studies' methodology challenged the robustness of these findings in clinical decision making. Although on the surface, it can be concluded that vaginal tightening surgery improves women's sexual function, the conclusion is severely restricted owing to the absence of the precise measurement of vaginal laxity, as well as the inconsistency in surgical techniques, methods, and tools employed in the research.

Bibliometric Mapping of Dating Violence in Scopus and Web of Science

Introduction: Dating violence is a complex and multifaceted problem that affects people around the world. The objective was to evaluate the scientific production on dating violence in the Scopus and Web Of Science databases. Method: Scoping review was used as a method to analyze manuscripts in indexed journals. The search equations were designed with Boolean terms and operators. For the analysis of co-occurrences between authors and keywords, the Biblioshyni package was used. Results: The study covered the last 10 years, included 3077 publications from 735 journals, with a citation rate of 20.65 per document. 10499 authors participated, 92.95% of these were original articles and the most prominent authors are Miller E., Gibbs A., Decker M.R., and Silverman J.G., with the United States leading in production (49.89%). The Journal of Interpersonal Violence was the most prolific journal with 403 papers. Important thematic clusters were identified, such as violence in young couples, risk factors and interpersonal relationships, and aggression, in addition, an evolution from the approach of human and sexual relationships and violence in women was evidenced. The collaborative network showed strong connections between key authors such as Silverman, Miller, McCauley, Campbell, Stockman, Jewkes, and Gibbs. Conclusions: International collaboration and the concentration of studies in high-impact journals, mainly in the United States, underscore the need for multidisciplinary and culturally adapted approaches to effectively address and prevent dating violence. Received: 11 July 2024 / Accepted: 1 November 2024 / Published: 05 November 2024

Space, Sexuality, and Thornton Wilder’s Villa Rhabani

Abstract Thornton Wilder composed his unfinished play Villa Rhabani—set on the cosmopolitan island of Capri—between 1920 and 1921. This article argues that the play explores the connections between particular spaces and the development of nonnormative sexual identities or practices. It shows how the island setting of Villa Rhabani is crucial to its depiction of queer characters who are associated with both fluid cosmopolitanism and the contestation of sexual binaries. First, Wilder explores how transnational sexual or romantic encounters, cultivated by the shifting cross-cultural exchanges of island life, can produce a flexible attitude to place-based identities. Second, he demonstrates how a mainland–island binary can be used to describe queer identities on the move. His characters’ oscillations between the mainland metropolis of Naples and small-town Capri appear fundamental to the plasticity of their sexual, familial, and national associations. These two dominant modes of portraying character interactions and setting, as well their relation, help reveal the imbricated relationship of space and sexuality. Wilder’s unfinished play, therefore, constitutes a significant contribution to queer transnational literature. The article also contextualizes the play within colonial and Orientalist discourses that have historically linked Southern Italy with same-sex eroticism. While Villa Rhabani draws on a language of exoticization to describe the behaviors of sexually permissive Italian men, it also questions these associations by showing how such practices may be instrumentalized by the economic precarity and desperate social conditions that prevailed in Southern Italy in the early twentieth century.

Associations between Sexuality, Body Image and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients Treated for Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma – A Cross-Sectional Study

BackgroundSexuality and body image are closely related to health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but these factors are less investigated in patients treated for lymphoma.Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe and explore the associations between sexuality, body image, comorbidities and HRQoL in patients treated for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. MethodA cross-sectional study with 257 patients (25% response rate) was conducted in 2019 using measures for sexuality, HRQoL and body image and data from the Swedish National Quality Registry for Leukemia–Subregistry for Lymphoma. ResultsThe participants had a mean HRQoL of 69.75 on a 1 to 100 scale, and the functional scales ranged from 68.50 for Role to 80.82 for Social functioning. The symptoms ranged from 5.56 for nausea and vomiting to 37.73 for fatigue. Regarding body image, the participants scored a total of 14.47 (reference values 10–40). The total score for Sexual adjustment was 3.02, and for the subscales Sexual Interest 2.63, Sexual Relation 2.72, Sexual Function 3.62 and Sexual Satisfaction 3.50. HRQoL was positively associated with Sexual Relation; however, negative body image and comorbidities showed negative associations. The model explains 39.6% of the variation in HRQoL. ConclusionThe positive impact of sexual relationships on HRQoL was highlighted, which emphasised the unfavourable effect of negative body image and comorbidities on HRQoL for lymphoma patients. Cancer nurses should address these topics with patients to improve their long-term well-being.

The effect of participatory action research on HPV primary preventive measures among in-school adolescents in Benue State, Nigeria

BackgroundIndividuals with a higher level of awareness and knowledge of HPV are more likely to dispel misconceptions about HPV and reduce their likelihood of engaging in risky sexual behavior. Behavioural change can be achieved through interventions such as participatory action research (PAR), which has been applied in various contexts. Few studies have reported on the use of PAR in Nigeria. This study aims to utilise PAR as an intervention to increase HPV awareness, improve knowledge of HPV infection, and promote behavioural change for HPV prevention among young adolescents in Benue State, Nigeria.MethodsThe study design uses a school-based, pre-post intervention approach with a cross-sectional component. Study participants are young adolescents aged 10–19 years in selected co-educational secondary schools in three local government areas (LGAs) spread across the three senatorial zones in Benue State, Nigeria. Two-stage sampling was used to select the LGAs and schools, and the sample size was computed using the before and after implementation with some prior information from a previous study. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, HPV awareness and knowledge of infection and prevention, prevention practices, and willingness for HPV vaccination were obtained with a self-administered semi-structured questionnaire adapted from the Vaccination and HPV Knowledge (THinK) survey. The HPV Knowledge survey (New Zealand) was utilized to collect information from students at baseline and post-implementation after PAR intervention. The Wilcoxon Signed Test (WST) was used to investigate the significance of the median differences before and after the intervention. A p-value less than 0.05 or 0.001 was considered significant.ResultsA total of 548 adolescents were sampled before the intervention. After the intervention, the sample size decreased to 503, reflecting an 8% attrition rate. PAR effectively increased HPV awareness among the participants from 80.9% before the intervention to 99.8% afterward. The PAR led to a significant change in knowledge of HPV infection and primary prevention and an increase in perception of HPV primary prevention. decrease in misconceptions and risky sexual behaviours, increase in HIV screening tests, and increase in the willingness of participants to uptake the HPV vaccine. Among the measures of risky sexual behaviours was a decreased perception that having more than one sexual partner is not a risk factor for HPV after the PAR intervention. The number of participants in sexual relationships decreased from 84 (16.7%) at baseline to 37 (7.4%) post-implementation. The PAR also led to a decrease in the number of participants who reported having STDs. The Wilcoxon Signed test was further disaggregated based on sex (male and female), school funding type (public and private), and school class level (junior and senior).ConclusionsPAR led to a significant increase in awareness and knowledge of HPV, knowledge of different aspects of HPV infection, and willingness to uptake the HPV vaccine. Additionally, the study has provided evidence that PAR interventions can be a viable tool in delaying sexual initiation and reducing sexual behavioural tendencies, especially in high-risk groups.

An Integrative Review of the Literature Examining Sexual Relationship Power, Depressive Symptoms, Silencing the Self, and HIV Vulnerability for Women in the United States.

An Integrative Review of the Literature Examining Sexual Relationship Power, Depressive Symptoms, Silencing the Self, and HIV Vulnerability for Women in the United States.

Evaluasi Peraturan Daerah Nomor 8 Tahun 2005 tentang Pelarangan Prostitusi terhadap Praktik Prostitusi di Kecamatan Karawaci Kota Tangerang

Prostitution is a sexual relationship between men and women without being bound by a legal marriage. The practice of prostitution continues to be a problem until now and has become one of the professions and business fields for economic purposes. If left unchecked, it will cause an increase in the number of sexually transmitted diseases. The formulation of the problem in this study is how to evaluate the Tangerang City Regional Regulation Number 8 of 2005 concerning the Prohibition of Prostitution. The research method in this thesis is a qualitative descriptive approach, this study uses analysis through interviews, observations, and document studies. The theory used in this study is the policy evaluation theory according to William N. Dunn (2003:610) which consists of 6 components, namely effectiveness, efficiency, adequacy, equality, responsiveness and accuracy. Based on the results of the study on the evaluation of the Tangerang City Regional Regulation Number 8 of 2005 concerning the Prohibition of Prostitution, its implementation has run smoothly, but there are several things that need to be optimized comprehensively in terms of effectiveness, during the process of enforcing this Regional Regulation, information leaks often occur which cause PSKs not to be optimally caught. Next, efficiency, Guidance carried out in the form of overcoming the negative impacts of Regional Regulation Number 8 of 2005 seems less than optimal due to the limited capacity of the Shelter House and the existence of equality, in the implementation of Tangerang City Regional Regulation Number 8 of 2005, namely in the Regional Regulation only regulates perpetrators of the opposite sex, but perpetrators of the same sex are not regulated in the Regional Regulation. Many perpetrators of the same sex or homosexuals also violate the Regional Regulation. If left alone, it is possible that this will happen which will increase the number of sexually transmitted diseases. In this component, the implementation of Tangerang City Regional Regulation Number 8 of 2005 concerning the Prohibition of Prostitution in Karawaci District seems smooth, but in reality it has not run with optimal results.

An Empirical Qualitative Investigation into Psychosexual Development in and Sex Education for Autistic Youth: Insights from Autistic and Non-Autistic Young Adults.

The present study was designed to examine autistic and non-autistic young adults' lived experience in psychosexual development and sex education and to solicit recommendations on how to improve sex education programs. Participants included 10 autistic young adults and 10 non-autistic young adults aged 18 to 24 years. The two groups were matched for sex and education level. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted. Participants' responses were analyzed using comparative interpretative phenomenological analysis. Four superordinate themes emerged: (1) "Who am I as a sexual being"; (2) Making sense of psychosexual development; (3) Sources of information; and (4) "Dear developers of sex education programs". Most autistic participants shared feelings of intense anxiety about romantic and sexual relationships, in part due to anticipated difficulties in social communication. Interestingly, although interview questions mostly focused on sex and adolescence, issues surrounding romantic relationships and their links to current self-concept were prominent themes in many autistic participants' responses, suggesting that autism-friendly sex education programs need to address issues related to romance and should target not only adolescents but also young adults. Also, autistic participants learned from peer interactions within the autistic community, highlighting the importance of facilitating peer exchanges and continuous learning beyond completing a program. Regarding delivery format, autistic participants valued concreteness and a mixed-sex small-group setting, and recommended using visual cues, real life examples, and role play. Autistic individuals have unmet psychosexual educational needs. Further research may consider their needs, lived experience, and recommendations when developing new autism-friendly sex education programs.

Network determinants of relationship influence on HIV prevention decision-making among people in the social networks of women who have experienced incarceration in the US.

Many cisgender women in the US who have experienced incarceration are at substantial risk for HIV acquisition after they return to the community. Various network interventions have been leveraged for HIV prevention in this population. The objective of this study was to identify network and relationship determinants of influence on HIV prevention decisions, including PrEP. We conducted interviews with a network mapping exercise with participants recruited from the social and sexual networks of women who had experienced incarceration. Participants enumerated important individuals in their lives from the past six months and provided demographic and relationship data as well as whether each relationship influenced their HIV prevention decisions. We abstracted network data from the interview transcripts and described the data set using descriptive statistics and network density graphs. To measure associations between characteristics at each level and whether a relationship was considered influential regarding PrEP decision-making, we use multiple logistic regression with random intercepts for each respondent. We interviewed 32 participants, average age 33.5 years (SD = 8.98), majority female (n = 28, 87.5%), white (n = 23, 71.8%), heterosexual/straight (n = 25, 78.1%), and with a personal history of incarceration (n = 29, 90%). They reported 253 relationships (119 family, 116 friend, 18 sexual relationships). Most adult network members had used drugs or alcohol (n = 182, 80.9%), and of those, 30.8% had used them with the participant (n = 53). The mean network size was 7 (SD = 4) and network density was 52.2%. In the full model, significant positive predictors of an influential relationship included participant non-heterosexual identity (OR 27.8), older average age in the network (OR 3.9 per standard deviation), and being a current or prior sexual partner (OR 10.1). Significant negative predictors included relationships with individuals who use or had used drugs (OR 0.28), longer average relationship duration in the network (OR 0.09) and being in a network with at least one sexual partner (OR 0.2). There are significant positive and negative determinants of relationship influence related to PrEP at individual-, dyad-, relationship-, and network-levels. These support using nuanced network approaches to behavior change that respect and leverage the diversity of relationships that comprise the social networks of women who have experienced incarceration.

THE JOURNALISTIC APPROACH IN THE CASES OF DANIEL ALVES AND SANDRA MARA FERNANDES: AN ANALYSIS OF GENERATIONAL AND GENDER ISSUES

This study aims to denounce typical elements of structural machismo in Brazilian society, as evidenced by the media coverage of the case of Daniel Alves, a soccer player accused of raping a young woman at the Sutton nightclub in Barcelona in December 2022. It also addresses the case of Sandra Mara Fernandes, a businesswoman who, during a psychotic episode, had sexual relations in her car with homeless man Givaldo Alves in Planaltina (DF) in March 2022. The qualitative methodology is based on theoretical categories capable of explaining the relationships between the media, hegemony, and society. The aim is to highlight that even in news stories where the main subject is a man's mistake, machista culture exalts the male figure while distorting the image of the women involved.

Subtle Biases Towards a New Colleague Depend on Sexual Orientation and Relationship Status

Abstract Background Allonormative beliefs entail the idea that all people desire sexual activity with other people. Single and/or asexual individuals may face social disapproval or discrimination for not being in line with allonormative beliefs. The present study investigated whether individuals offered help or were likely to befriend a new co-worker differently depending on the co-worker’s sexual orientation (i.e., heterosexual vs. asexual) and relationship status (i.e., in a relationship vs. single). Methods The online study included 1,028 participants (50.0% women and 50.0% men; Mage = 29.2, SD = 8.8) from German-speaking countries. Each participant read one of twelve short descriptions of a working situation in which they got to know a new co-worker. The description of the new colleague’s gender, sexual orientation, and relationship status varied. Participants had to indicate how likely they would share information with, befriend, gossip about, or have other-interests in the new colleague. A multivariate analysis of co-variance was calculated. Results Female participants had lower intentions to share knowledge with persons who were singles by circumstance than with persons in a relationship and male participants were more likely to befriend a single gay man by choice than a gay man in a relationship. Conclusions Bias against single persons or prejudice resulting from heteronormative beliefs might lead to subtle differences in behavior towards a co-worker. Such subtle “micro-practices” can be harmful because micro-practices accumulate over time and situations. Interventions at organizations need to help employees realize their own biases that might be based on prejudices against people with different sexual orientations and relationship statuses. Key messages • Overall women are more pressured by allonormative ideas and might therefore have lower intentions to share knowledge with persons who were singles by circumstance than with persons in a relationship. • The differing treatment of single gay men by choice and gay men in relationships may not be solely due to adherence to allonormativity, but rather could stem from heterosexist beliefs.

Comparison of the effect of self-care education with two methods, teach-back and smartphone application, on the adherence to treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Self-care is one of the basic principles in the management of chronic diseases, which influences follow-up and adherence to treatment. Therefore, the current study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effect of teach-back (TB) and a smartphone application on adherence to treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The current clinical trial was conducted among 80 patients with IBD in Mashhad, Iran, in 2021-2022. Self-care education (diet, personal and social relationships, medications, sleep, physical activity, sexual relationships, etc.) was provided through TB method in one group and by using a smartphone application in another group. The control group only received the routine education. A checklist for demographic information and the adherence questionnaire in patients with chronic diseases were used for data collection. Patients' mean age was 38.73 ± 10.32 years. The majority of patients had ulcerative colitis (81%) and were married (67%). Mean and standard deviation score of adherence to treatment were the same in all three groups before the intervention (P = 0.668). The mean post-test scores of adherence to treatment in the TB, application, and control groups were 170.04 ± 14.19, 167.99 ± 11.59, and 159.60 ± 10.94, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.003). A significant difference was observed in regards to the mean post-test scores of adherence to treatment between TB and control groups (P = 0.004) and app and control groups (P = 0.048). However, the difference between TB and app groups was not significant (P = 0.989). TB method and smartphone application have the same effect on adherence to treatment in patients with IBD. Due to the usability and cost-effectiveness of smartphone applications, this method can be used by health-care providers to educate this group of patients.

Harassment of interns, medical interns and residents: consequences and complaints

Abstract Introduction Workplace harassment manifests in various forms for healthcare students, potentially leading to modifications in their lives and academic activities. Objectives To describe the type of harassment experienced by interns, medical interns, and residents, and its consequences. Methods A cross-sectional and prospective study was conducted, including medical interns, social service interns, and residents from Veracruz who reported experiencing harassment in their assigned areas during their last academic year. Direct and virtual invitations were sent through various electronic means. Results 58 students were included, with 39 (67.2%) being women. 50% reported experiencing psychological abuse, and 65.5% reported experiencing sexual harassment. The most severe sexual harassment incidents included sexual assault with physical force (1.7%) and three instances of non-consensual sexual relations (5.2%), while the most common were sexual jokes/comments (72.4%). Following harassment experiences, 25% of participants reported feeling anxious, 22% stressed, and 17% angry. Students who perceived psychological abuse reported anger (69%), stress (58.6%), and anxiety (58.6%) as the most frequent consequences, while those reporting sexual abuse indicated anger (73.7%), shame (68.4%), and anxiety as primary consequences. The most frequently identified harassers were attending physicians (56.9%), senior students (34.5%), and non-medical personnel (34.5%). Students filed complaints with hospital authorities (6.9%), university authorities (6.9%), and external agencies (5.2%). The individual who experienced sexual assault with physical force did not file any complaint, while only one person reported non-consensual sexual relations to hospital authorities. Conclusions It is crucial to establish safe spaces for students within the hospital environment to promote their overall well-being and academic success, as well as to encourage a culture of reporting. Key messages • Highlighting the need for intervention within the work teams where our students are placed, promoting a violence-free environment. • Annexing a therapist as part of the work team could favor the well-being of students, since mental health is one of the main points affected within a violent environment.

O ENGAJAMENTO DOS ESTUDANTES DE MEDICINA COM AS PRÁTICAS PROFILÁTICAS DO HIV

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains one of the main global public health challenges, with approximately 1.5 million new infections in 2021, despite the therapeutic advances that have transformed the prognosis of AIDS. In Brazil, HIV has an incidence rate of 17.69 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2020, with a significant increase among young people aged 13 to 29, especially in the North and Northeast regions. This cross-sectional study analyzed 50 medical students from a university in Brazil, investigating the association between age group and safe sex practices, such as the use of condoms, as well as the perception of vulnerability to HIV. The results indicate that 61.2% of the students used condoms during sexual relations in the last 12 months, with no significant correlation with age group (p=0.507). However, 50% of the students justified not using condoms because they trusted their partner, and 82% believed that they would be unlikely to be infected with HIV because of their social environment. Statistical analysis also showed that the perception of invulnerability to HIV does not vary significantly with age group (p=0.350). This study investigated risk perception and condom use among medical students, concluding that there is no significant correlation between age group and safe practices. Trust in the partner was a relevant factor in the non-use of condoms, highlighting the need for educational campaigns to promote preventive behaviors and awareness among future health professionals.

Bezwolna i okrutna – konstruowanie obrazu kobiety i kobiecości przez użytkowników hasztagu „przegryw” na portalu Wykop.pl

The article is based on an analysis of content posted by selected users of the Wykop.pl website under the hashtag “loser”. This hashtag gathers young heterosexual men who consider themselves unfi t for society and losers in life. The biggest source of their frustration is the non-existence of their sex life – they cannot fi nd female partners for sexual or romantic relationships despite their clear desire to do so. The “losers” (as they call themselves) make the lack of a woman the main axis of their identity, therefore this text focuses on how her character is constructed and how she acts with the diff erent types (“alpha male”, “beta ATM”, “loser”) into which users divide men. The “losers” (as they call themselves) make the lack of a woman the main axis of their identity, therefore this text focuses on how her character is constructed and how she ranks against the diff erent types (“alpha male”, “beta ATM”, “loser”) into which users divide men. The analysis also focuses on the nature of the pseudo-biological language used on hashtags and how their narratives make visible their perceived repulsion towards women. Attention was also paid to issues of lower class membership in users’ statements, which may indicate that this membership is the source of the social movement of losers and their aspirations for conservative revolution. Ruth Wodak’s critical discourse analysis was the main tool used to conduct the analysis.