Adolescent Sexuality Research Articles

Survey data of adolescents\u2019 sexual and reproductive health in selected local governments in southeast Nigeria

A cross-sectional survey of adolescents and heads of households was done in six urban and rural local government areas in Ebonyi state, Nigeria in August 2018. Modified cluster sampling technique was used to select households from which eligible adolescent boys and girls were recruited. This data article describes two datasets that, for the first time, expansively describe adolescents’ sexual and reproductive behaviors in Nigeria. The datasets include variables on adolescents’ demographic and socioeconomic characteristics; family relationships; sexual behaviors; awareness and use of contraceptives; access to sexual and reproductive health information and services; gender norms and ideology about adolescent sexuality; and potential strategies for reducing unwanted teenage pregnancies and unsafe abortions. This dataset would be useful to public health researchers and social scientists investigating drivers of adolescent sexual and reproductive behaviour, as well as programme managers seeking potential strategies for improving adolescent health outcomes. The datasets also provide a template that could be replicated for national or regional surveys on adolescent sexual and reproductive behaviours.

The role of Latino masculine values in Mexican adolescent sexuality.

This study broadens the field of quantitative research on culture-specific values and Mexican adolescent sexual behavior from an ecological perspective. We examined how general values such as machismo and caballerismo, and sexual values such as the importance of male virginity are associated with Mexican adolescent normative sexual behaviors and intentions. We also examined the role of gender, age, and school type in these associations. We administered measures of caballerismo, machismo, importance of male virginity, sexual intentions, and sexual behaviors to a sample of 539 Mexican adolescents, aged 12 to 15. The results indicated that adolescents who endorsed the machismo value more had greater intentions to have sex, and were more likely to receive oral sex. Adolescents who endorsed less caballerismo had greater intentions to have sex when they were not sexually active. Additionally, adolescents who reported lower importance of male virginity had greater intentions to have sex and a higher likelihood of having vaginal sex. Gender, age, and school context moderated a few associations. For example, older adolescents (but not younger) who endorsed more caballerismo reported lower intentions to have sex. The current study expands the understanding of how general and sexual culture-specific values are associated with the sexual intentions and behaviors of Mexican adolescents. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

SC1 - Preliminary data from a survey to assess the knowledge about sexuality of adolescents. “What do our boys know about sex?”

SC1 - Preliminary data from a survey to assess the knowledge about sexuality of adolescents. “What do our boys know about sex?”

\u201cThey have this not care \u2013 don\u2019t care attitude:\u201d A Mixed Methods Study Evaluating Community Readiness for Oral PrEP in Adolescent Girls and Young Women in a Rural Area of South Africa

IntroductionAdolescent girls and young women (AGYW) remain disproportionately affected by HIV. In a rural area of South Africa with an annual incidence (2011–2015) of 5 and 7% per annum for 15–19 and 20–24-year olds respectively, oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) could provide AGYW with a form of HIV prevention they can more easily control. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, we describe findings from a study conducted in 2017 that assessed knowledge of and attitudes toward PrEP to better understand community readiness for an AGYW PrEP rollout.MethodsWe used descriptive analysis of a quantitative demographic survey (n = 8,414 ages 15–86) to identify population awareness and early PrEP adopters. We also conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of 52 potential PrEP gatekeepers (health care workers, community leaders) to assess their potential influence in an AGYW PrEP rollout and describe the current sexual health landscape. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and iteratively coded to identify major themes.ResultsPrEP knowledge in the general population, measured through a demographic survey, was low (n = 125/8,414, 1.49% had heard of the drug). Medicalized delivery pathways created hostility to AGYW PrEP use. Key informants had higher levels of knowledge about PrEP and saw it as a needed intervention. Community norms around adolescent sexuality, which painted sexually active youth as irresponsible and disengaged from their own health, made many ambivalent towards a PrEP rollout to AGYW. Health care workers discussed ways to shame AGYW if they tried to access PrEP as they feared the drug would encourage promiscuity and “risky” behaviour. Others interviewed opposed provision on the basis of health care equity and feared PrEP would divert both drug and human resources from treatment programs.ConclusionsThe health system in this poor, high-HIV incidence area had multiple barriers to a PrEP rollout to AGYW. Norms around adolescent sexuality and gatekeeper concerns that PrEP could divert health resources from treatment to prevention could create barriers to PrEP roll-out in this setting. Alternate modes of delivery, particularly those which are youth-led and demedicalize PrEP, must be explored.

Influence of social media for sexuality of adolescents

Abstract Background Adolescence is a phase of life of great emotional, cognitive, social and body changes. Also noteworthy are the changes related to the emotional relationship between young people and sexuality. Recent research indicates that the use of Social Media (MS) has increased dramatically among adolescents in the last 10 years, and they have a tendency to seek information on health, sexual health and STIs including AIDS in these media. Objective To understand the influences of social media for sexual health and sexuality in adolescents. Methods This is a research with a qualitative approach, based on the Theory of Social Representations. The study included 28 adolescents aged between 15 and 18 years old, high school students from two public schools in Belo Horizonte. Data collection took place through open and in-depth interviews, with a semi-structured script. The data were interpreted based on the Structural Analysis of the Narration, proposed by Demazière; Dubar. Results The results found point to positive and negative representations in relation to the interviewees' point of view on the influence of social media on the sexuality of these adolescents. The positive representations found revolve around the ease of access to information and the privacy of being able to search and answer your questions through the internet and other means of communication. The aforementioned negative representations point to the little media approach on the subject, in addition, they indicate sporadic approaches centered on festive periods and dates such as carnival, a unique focus on AIDS and aimed specifically at adult audiences. Conclusions It is necessary to rethink how adolescents and young people today experience their sexuality and how to reach them comprehensively, understanding the need to guarantee appropriate and quality information to adolescents. Key messages The present work leads to reflections on the ways that adolescents experience sexuality today. Currently, teenagers are involved in digital media, including social media, where they can express issues related to sexuality and the way they experience it.

Evaluation of effectiveness of a sexuality education program for parents of male adolescents: promoting of parent-adolescent sexual communication.

Parents play a significant role in promoting of healthy sexuality in adolescents. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of a sexuality education intervention program to enhance parent-adolescent sexual communication. This study was a randomized controlled field trial. Parents of male adolescent aged 13-16 years were recruited from eight public all-boys high schools in Karaj, Iran. A multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used and 102 parents were assigned into intervention and control groups. The recruitment and data collection process lasted from February to November 2019. Self-report demographic questionnaire and six general parenting and parent-adolescent sexual communication measures were used to assess the impact of intervention. Sexuality education program was presented for the parents of intervention group, in the form of four weekly 2-h sessions. Parents were assessed at the baseline, within one week post-intervention, and three-month follow-up to evaluate the outcome variables. The data were analyzed using the Chi-square test, two-sample t-test, general linear model analyses, and Bonferroni test. In terms of parent-adolescent general communication, parental monitoring, parent-adolescent communication about sex-related topics, parent's sexual communication skills, parent's self-efficacy, and responsiveness to sexual communication. There were no significant differences between intervention and control groups at the baseline (p>0.05). Compared to controls, intervention parents reported more improvement in general communication across the time; however, significant differences were not observed regarding general communication and parental monitoring (p=0.94, p=0.95). Parents in the intervention group significantly differed from those in the control group for the mean scores of parent-adolescent communication about sex-related topics (p=0.04), parent's sexual communication skills (p=0.04), parent's self-efficacy (p=0.002), and responsiveness (p<0.001) to sexual communication at each follow-up. We identified the educational program as a promising tool for improving parent-adolescent communication regarding sexuality-related issues. This program provides the evidence for implementation of parent-based sexuality education programs.

Adolescent sexuality: practices and contraceptive problems in Douala (Cameroon)

Introduction: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adolescence is the period of growth between 10 and 19years of age. Complications from pregnancy are the second leading cause of death for adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 worldwide. Objective: Our objective was to study the sexual practices of adolescent girls in secondary schools in the Douala 3rd district as well as their contraceptive attitudes towards precocious pregnancies. Methodology: We conducted a case-control analytical study from November 8th, 2018 to June 26th, 2019 in ten secondary schools in the Douala 3rd district. We matched, around the obstetric variable, a case group with this history to a control group who declared not to have had one and studied the different strategies used to avoid the occurrence of pregnancy. Data analysis was done using SPSS 20.0 software. The significance threshold was set at p&lt;0.05. Results: A total of 445 consenting adolescent girls were selected, including 89 cases and 356 controls. The multivariate analysis of the results showed that the factors associated with the occurrence of teenage pregnancies were: an age greater than 17years (aOR=1.91; CI=1.64-2.33), being single with a boyfriend (aOR=6.48; CI=3.33-12.60), the use of the male condom and the after pill (aOR=6.73; CI=3.53-12.83, aOR=4, 34; CI=1.86-10.11), find out about sexuality from your sexual partner or on social networks (aOR=2.24; IC=1.11-4.54, aOR=1.78; IC=1.01-3.13), do not ask your parents (aOR 2.20; IC=1.31-3.70), alcohol consumption (aOR=2.01; IC=1, 23-3.29), multi sexual partnership (aOR=2.89; CI=1.24-6.69), an age difference of more than 5years with partner (aOR=2.24; CI=1.16-4.35). Conclusion: The teenager of the 3rd district of Douala is subject to early and unsafe sexuality and underuses family planning services which lead to precocious pregnancy.

A Qualitative Study of Precursors to Rape in Sexual Behaviour of Juvenile Offenders with Underage Partners in Malaysia

In many countries, statutory rape laws are applied to both adults and adolescents. Consequently, statutory rape laws would view adolescents who have normative sexual behaviours as sexual offenders. The study questions the assumption that adolescents who engage in sexual intercourse with an underage partner should be automatically charged as sexual offenders and presumed to have a ‘rape mentality’, as this potentially violates their rights as children. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess Malaysian adolescents who have sex with an underage partner in terms of their precursors to rape mentality. Ten juvenile offenders in three juvenile detention centres were recruited and interviewed regarding their experience of having sexual intercourse with an underage partner. While some offenders exhibited several precursors such as believing in rape myths and having a casual attitude towards sex, most of the offenders exhibited normative behaviours related to adolescent sexuality. The implications of the study are discussed.

Exploring narratives and advocating support and peer mentorship to improve HIV-positive adolescent mothers’ lives in South Africa

Research on adolescent sexuality, health and parenting has gained much attention in recent years. This growing body of research, however, has arguably limited qualitative outputs on HIV-positive adolescent mothers’ sexual and reproductive health choices, needs, and rights in South Africa that could lead to informed policymaking. Through in-depth interviews conducted with a select group of ten HIV-positive adolescents and three key informants, the article explores the sexual, motherhood, risk discourses and reproductive health issues and rights of HIV-positive adolescent mothers as they come to terms with choices they have made and the challenges ahead. The findings highlight the dominant narratives on what are deemed to be the forces that shape these adolescent mothers’ new social realities. With existing policies in place for adolescents, it is argued that a “one-size-fits-all” policy approach does not work, especially for HIV-positive adolescent mothers. Drawing on this identified gap and the tensions between individual needs, and the public welfare provision, the article highlights the need for tailored policy that will accommodate and promote the overall well-being of HIV-positive adolescent mothers and their children.

Gênero, sexualidade e infância: corpos e formas de governo em investigações criminais no Brasil

This article explores the relations between gender, childhood and sexuality on the daily life of criminal investigations held in a police station in South of Brazil. The research was based on ethnographic observation and the tracking of police investigations. In this work scenes of these investigations are selected to provide a setting from which we could dialogue with the fields of gender and childhood sexuality studies. The article demonstrates that both childhood and gender are grounded on a decontextualized imagery of those categories in the context of those investigations. It also highlights that the forms of protection accentuate the ways in which children and adolescents sexuality is being normalized. At the end we suggest that there is a hegemonic logic underlying the discourses of the subjects transiting the police station, who share a normalized language which, in turn, demand problematization within the fields of gender and childhood sexuality studies. &nbsp;

Femininity, Homoeroticism and Heterosexuality in Yin Jianling’s Female Coming-of-Age Narratives

This article reads contemporary Chinese children’s author Yin Jianling’s novels The Paper Puppy (Zhiren) and Orange Fish (Juzi Yu) alongside her letter collection Fifteen Letters to Girls (Zhi Weilai de Ni) to explore the overarching themes of femininity, difference and female sexualities. The Paper Puppy weaves homoeroticism, heterosexuality, pre-marital sex and teenage pregnancy into one single novel. Homoeroticism, linked with the curiosity for the changing adolescent female body, marks the end of sexual innocence and the beginning of sexual awakening for protagonist Su, which is entwined intricately with the adolescent girl’s physical, emotional and psychological maturation. In contrast, heterosexuality is portrayed in both novels as a deviant and potentially perilous site for adolescent girls. Fraught with the attendant risks of pregnancy, abortion and even suicide, adolescent heterosexual relationships are to be cautioned against. The analysis suggests that despite her self-proclaimed re-traditionalisation and anti-feminist stance in the letters, the sexual discourses in Yin’s novels are much more subtle and complex, saturated with feminist and queer overtones. Significantly, in the development of adolescent female sexualities, whether homoerotic or heterosexual, the role of motherhood and adult mentorship is highlighted.

Understanding Primary Care Providers' Perceptions and Practices in Implementing Confidential Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Services

PurposeSubstantial gaps exist between professional guidelines and practice around confidential adolescent services, including private time between health-care providers and adolescents. Efforts to provide quality sexual and reproductive health services (SRHS) require an understanding of barriers and facilitators to care from the perspectives of primary care providers working with adolescents and their parents. MethodsWe conducted structured qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of pediatricians, family physicians, and nurse practitioners (n = 25) from urban and rural Minnesota communities with higher and lower rates of adolescent pregnancy. Provider interviews included confidentiality beliefs and practices; SRHS screening and counseling; and referral practices. ResultsThe analysis identified two key themes: (1) individual and structural factors were related to variations in SRH screening and counseling and (2) a wide range of factors influenced provider decision-making in initiating private time. A nuanced set of factors informed SRHS provided, including provider comfort with specific topics; provider engagement and relationship with parents; use of adolescent screening tools; practices, policies, and resources within the clinic setting; and community norms including openness with communication about sex and religious considerations regarding adolescent sexuality. Factors that shaped providers’ decisions in initiating private time included adolescent age, developmental stage, health behaviors and other characteristics; observed adolescent-parent interactions; parent support for private time; reason for clinic visit; laws and professional guidelines; and cultural considerations. ConclusionsFindings suggest opportunities for interventions related to provider and clinic staff training, routine communication with adolescents and their parents, and clinic policies and protocols that can improve the quality of adolescent SRHS.

Associations of mindfulness with adolescent outcomes and sexuality

IntroductionUsing an online survey, we evaluated how adolescent trait and state mindfulness was associated with positive adolescent outcomes in non-sexually active and sexually active adolescents. Additionally, we evaluated a newly developed measure, the Sexual Mindfulness Measure (SMM), with adolescents. MethodsWe asked 2000 U.S. adolescents (half boys/girls; 1/3 low, medium, and high incomes) aged 13–18 (one group 13–15, another 16–18) about trait mindfulness, sexual state mindfulness, and adolescent outcomes. Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and structured equation modeling, we evaluated the reliability and validity of the SMM and its associations with adolescent outcomes. ResultsUsing a trait mindfulness measure, we found that mindful adolescents with no sexual experience, showed positive associations with self-efficacy, body-esteem, and disclosure with both fathers and mothers. Evaluating adolescents who were sexually active, we confirmed that the SMM had a two-factor structure and demonstrated acceptable reliability for both male and female adolescents. We found that the SMM was associated with positive sexual attitudes, body image, self-efficacy, and disclosure to parents above and beyond trait mindfulness. ConclusionsTrait mindfulness was associated with positive self-assessments and parental disclosure. The SMM provided an important assessment of how sexually active adolescents’ ability to remain aware and non-judgmental during sexual experiences may be positively associated with outcomes such as sexual consent, positive body image, self-efficacy, disclosure to parents, and negatively associated with sexual shame and sexual anxiety above and beyond trait mindfulness.

FACTORS OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN ADOLESCENTS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

This study is devoted to the problem of sexual functioning among adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. The main goal of the current research is to explore the factors, related to behavioral displays of sexuality of adolescents with ASD. The theoretical analysis of causes that may provoke inappropriate sexual behavior of individuals with ASD is given. The hypothesis that such factors as intelligence level, social functioning level, sexual knowledge and parenting style can be related with sexual behavior of adolescents with ASD is tested in the current study. The adolescents with ASD and their peers without the developmental disorder were found to be significantly different at the displays of inappropriate sexual behavior, the factor of diagnosis showed a great impact. The current study also reveals that higher levels of social functioning and sexual education of individuals with ASD are related to more adequate sexual behavior. As for the intelligence level, it did not show a significant effect on the displays of sexual behavior among individuals with ASD. The relation between parenting styles, which are common in families with individuals with ASD, and sexual behavior displays were also discussed in the article. In conclusion, the author outlines the importance of adequate sexual education and healthy parenting styles for an appropriate sexual functioning of adolescents with ASD.

The Association of Childhood Sexual Abuse With Non-Paraphilic and Paraphilic Sexual Behaviors Among Adolescents Who Have Sexually Offended

ABSTRACT A history of childhood sexual victimization (CSV) is one of the most commonly examined factors in research on male adolescent sexual offending. Although CSV has been extensively researched in relation to the onset and maintenance of adolescent sexual offending, few studies have investigated the association of CSV with domains of adolescent sexuality outside of sexual offending. Understanding how CSV may be associated with the non-paraphilic, and paraphilic, sexual behaviors of adolescent males who commit sexual offenses has important implications for promoting healthy sexuality among this population. In a sample of 162 male adolescents (M age = 15.2 years, SD = 1.3) adjudicated for a sexual offense, we tested the association of CSV with a range of non-paraphilic (e.g., age of first consensual sex) and paraphilic (e.g., use of paraphilic pornography) sexual behavior variables. The results indicated CSV was associated with greater engagement in risky non-paraphilic sexual behaviors, as well as paraphilic sexual behaviors. CSV was also associated with specific offense characteristics, replicating previous research findings. The current study is a first step toward understanding the broader sexual context of adolescents who commit sexual offenses.

Social judgments on abortion and contraceptive use: a mixed methods study among secondary school teachers and student peer-counsellors in western Kenya

BackgroundIn Kenya, unsafe abortion is the leading cause of maternal deaths in adolescent girls aged 15–19 years, and a majority did not use a modern contraceptive before becoming pregnant. The aim of this study was to explore attitudes related to abortion and contraceptive use among secondary school teachers and student peer-counsellors in a low-resource setting in western Kenya.MethodsA mixed methods design, combining a questionnaire-survey and focus group discussions (FGDs), was utilised to explore attitudes to abortion and contraceptive use among teachers (n = 15) and student peer-counsellors (n = 21) at a secondary school in Kisumu, Kenya. First, two Likert scale questionnaires were used: a modified version of the Stigmatising Attitudes, Beliefs and Actions (SABA) scale and the Contraceptive Use Stigma (CUS) scale. Secondly, four FGDs were conducted. Descriptive statistics and Abductive Thematic Network Analysis (ATNA) were used to analyse the data.ResultsOverall, Social judgments on abortion and contraceptive use were found among teachers and student peer-counsellors, with similar patterns between sexes. Christian and cultural values; A majority, 28/36 considered abortion a sin, and chastity and purity before marriage were highly valued feminine ideals. Discrimination and isolation; 18/36 believed that a girl who has had an abortion might be a bad influence on other girls, and 13/35 stated that an adolescent girl cannot decide for herself if to use a contraceptive method. Conflicting views on abortion and contraceptives; A third (11/34) believed that contraceptives may cause infertility, and its use was related to promiscuity. Girls associated with abortion and contraceptive use were considered immoral, lacking parental guidance, and were used to represent bad examples in school. Although conflicting views were present, sexuality was considered a taboo topic, which left adolescents ignorant on contraceptive use.ConclusionsAdolescent girls associated with abortion and contraceptive use are at risk for social judgements and discrimination, by both peers and teachers. Sexual and reproductive health training needs to be implemented in teacher education to increase knowledge on adolescent sexuality, abortion and contraceptive use to improve adolescents’ sexual health and decrease the stigma.Trial registrationThis was a prestudy nested in a cluster randomised intervention study, registered on February 28, 2017, at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03065842).

Prevalence of early pregnancie in neighborhoods Basoko-Rail (Ngaliema commune), Lisala and Salongo (Kintambo commune) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

According to the World Health Organization, nearly 16 million adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 gave birth worldwide each year. About 95% of these births occured in developing countries. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of early teenage pregnancies in the city of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRG). This was a prospective study for descriptive purposes, carried out in the Basoko-Rail (commune of Ngaliema), Lisala and Salongo (Commune of Kintambo) districts in the city of Kinshasa over the period from March to May 2019. The prevalence of early pregnancies was 25%, of which 85.3% were primigest and 14.7% multigest. The level of education was significantly linked to the occurrence of early pregnancies (p˂0.05). The main source of information on adolescent sexuality was the Internet and social media (40.1%); the dropout rate afterpregnancy was 51.5%. There is a need of sexual and health education of adolescents and minors; creating centers for psychological care for victims of early pregnancy may also be required.

Involvement of Parents in Sexuality and Reproductive Health Education of Adolescents and Associated Factors in Hoima Municipality, Uganda

Involvement of Parents in Sexuality and Reproductive Health Education of Adolescents and Associated Factors in Hoima Municipality, Uganda

Media Komik Sebagai Alternatif Media Promosi Kesehatan Seksualitas Remaja

Based on the results of the 2012 IDHS survey the TRC showed 9.3% or 3.7 million adolescents said they had had premarital sex. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of comic media as a promotion of adolescent health in SMP N 2 Pontianak. This research uses a quantitative approach with quasi-experimental methods (quasi experiments) type of pre-test post-test one group design. The number of samples of data analysis using the Wilcoxon Test was 38, using questionnaire and comic instruments. The results of this study by conducting the Wilcoxon Test there are significant differences between before and after given the intervention in the form of comic media on the information variable (p value = 0,000), subjective norm variables (p value = 0,000), and the variable Intention of sexual behavior (p value = 0.044) so it can be concluded that comics are effective media as an alternative media for the promotion of adolescent sexuality health.

‘Boys mostly just want to have sex’: Young Indigenous people talk about relationships and sexual intimacy in remote, rural and regional Australia

This article seeks to understand Indigenous Australian young people's relationships and their experiences of sexual intimacy. A cohort of Indigenous 16–25-year-olds from urban, rural and remote communities were invited to participate in a collaborative method involving scenario-based body mapping. In these activities, young people discussed the range and complexity of their relationships and how constructions and interpretations of relationships contribute to both positive and negative experiences. These rich understandings provide important insights into adolescent sexuality as ‘multidimensional, socially constructed and negotiated'. However, they also point to the continued gendered power inequalities that subordinate young women's lives to the desires and control of young men.