Terms Of Sexual Health Research Articles

Sexuality and Mental Health of Pakistani-Descent Adolescent Girls living in Canada: Perceptions and Recommendations

In Canada, the demands of female immigrant adolescents in terms of sexual health are largely unmet and have grown significantly in recent years. According to studies, racialized immigrant adolescents are less likely than non-immigrant adolescents to be knowledgeable about sexual and reproductive health and to use resources for sex education and related services. This difference seems to be related to socio-cultural and religious practices in Pakistani immigrant adolescents. This paper intends to explain the viewpoints of female adolescents of first- or second-generation Pakistani descent who reside in Canada with regard to their development of sexuality and psychological well-being. Moreover, this paper also describes how female adolescents perceive the necessity to support their sexuality as they go through the adolescent stage. Individual interviews and timelines were created using qualitative interpretative descriptive design. We included 21 female adolescents of first- or second-generation Pakistani ethnicity using a purposive sample. Data analysis was performed using a thematic analysis. The findings indicate that immigrant adolescent girls received conflicting messages about sexuality from their parents which impacted their psychological well-being. Additionally, survey participants noted that prejudice, exclusion from sex education classes, and a lack of sexual health information contributed to social isolation, health care avoidance, and poor mental health outcomes like melancholy and anxiety among adolescent girls. The absence of sexuality-related communication with parents and the scarcity of medical professionals who can relate to and address the needs and realities of immigrants may have an impact on the participants’ experiences. Female immigrant girls also spoke up on the need for open, honest, and stigma-free conversations as well as for the need to end the taboo around the subject of sexuality. This study used principles from both intersectionality and postmodern feminist theories to increase our understanding of the interplay between the experiences of developing sexuality and overall well-being in female immigrant adolescents of Pakistani descent. It is crucial to involve, listen to, and incorporate female adolescents’ voices when planning and implementing interventions to support healthy sexuality among immigrant adolescents.

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Adolescents in Schools on Sexual and Reproductive Health: Case of EL MOCTAR KONATE High School in BAMAKO

Introduction: In Mali, sexuality is a subject considered taboo and parents often find it difficult to communicate with their children on this subject. The general objective of this study is: to study the knowledge, attitudes and practices of adolescents attending El Moctar high school in Banconi Farada in commune I of the district of Bamako. Patients and Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out with students from El Moctar high school in Banconi Farada in commune I of the district of Bamako. It was conducted during the period from April 26 to May 25, 2021, i.e. a duration of one month. All the pupils who gave their consent answered the questions mentioned on the survey sheets. We used SPSS version 20.0 software. Results: The analyzes showed that boys were more likely to participate in our study with 62%. During the survey 43.2% had started sexual intercourse, only 22% of these only active students knew about condoms during their first sexual intercourse and 70.6% had never used condoms. Half of the students questioned do not know about STIs with 52%, the majority knew about HIV/AIDS, ie 91%, more than half did not know about cancer of the cervix, ie 59% of the students surveyed. Among sexually active girls at least 8.8% have a pregnancy and 85.8% of these pregnancies were unwanted. Among the students surveyed, 73% had heard of Family Planning (FP), among them only a few used FP methods and the frequently used methods are condoms, injectables and jadelle. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study, which took place in a private high school in commune I of the district of Bamako, gave us the opportunity to study in general the level of knowledge, attitudes and practices of adolescents in terms of sexual health and reproduction, specifically to describe their socio-demographic characteristics, determine the level of knowledge, their attitude and practice in matters of sexual and reproductive health. The majority of adolescents, about 52% do not .....

Comparison of sexual functions in women with and without type 1 diabetes.

This study aimed to investigate female sexual function in patients with type 1 diabetes by comparing female sexual function index scores between women with and without type 1 diabetes. A total of 62 women with type 1 diabetes and 69 age-matched women without diabetes but with similar backgrounds were enrolled in the patient and control groups, respectively. All participants were sexually active and had no systemic diseases other than diabetes in the patient group. The frequency of female sexual dysfunction was significantly higher, and the mean female sexual function index score was significantly lower in women with diabetes compared to the control group (p=0.01). There was a significant relationship between sexual dysfunction and duration of diabetes, glycosylated hemoglobin test, and body mass index (p<0.05). This study demonstrates that female sexual dysfunction is more common among women with type 1 diabetes than among women without type 1 diabetes. Patients with type 1 diabetes should be evaluated in terms of sexual health. Health professionals should give more attention to and provide guidance regarding sexual function in women with type 1 diabetes.

Wybrane zagadnienia związane z zaburzeniami statyki narządów płciowych w kontekście medycyny przeciwstarzeniowej i medycyny rodzinnej

One of the most important problems in anti-aging medicine, family medicine, gynecology and sexology are disorders of the statics of female genital organs, usually resulting in sexual dysfunction and urogynecological problems. Although in the era of a pandemic, the fight against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infections is a priority. COVID-19, and in this context one of the most important problems also related to family medicine are geriatric issues – issues related to aging societies, and the more elderly people there are, the more attention should be paid to them in the context of their health – also in terms of sexual health.

Sexuality and Sexual Health In Adults with Limb Loss: A Systematic Review

A systematic review was conducted to provide an overview of the current state of research regarding sexuality and sexual health in adults with limb loss. Five databases (Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science and PsycINFO) were searched between January 1, 2000 and April 14, 2019. Two reviewers independently screened all titles and abstracts for primary inclusion and full texts for secondary inclusion. The inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed journal articles that were published in English, that addressed at least one aspect of sexuality or sexual health and included adults (18 years and older) who acquired a major limb amputation. A modified Sackett Scale was used to assign levels of evidence to each study. A total of 29 articles met the inclusion criteria. With regard to sexuality, the most common topics investigated were body image (n = 21), sexual desire (n = 6) and sexual activity (n = 4). The Amputee Body Image Scale was the most commonly used outcome measure to assess body image (n = 10). In terms of sexual health, the most frequently studied issues were sexual functioning (n = 5) and sexual counselling (n = 2). Sexuality and sexual health issues affect the health and wellbeing of adults with limb loss. The majority of studies were low in evidence; indicating that more robust intervention studies are needed to help people cope with limb loss as it relates to their sexual health and sexuality. In particular, more targeted efforts for women and individuals with upper limb loss are needed.

The perspectives of asylum seekers when accessing sexual health services in Cork and Kerry

Abstract Background The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that; “Sexual health is a state of physical, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality. It requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence.” Asylum seekers are among many vulnerable groups that may face inequalities in terms of sexual health and how sexual health services are accessed. The aim of the present study is to gain an understanding of the experiences of asylum seekers when accessing sexual health services in Cork and Kerry, including the perceived barriers to and factors that facilitate access. Methods This is a qualitative study in which data was collected from 14 semi-structured interviews conducted with asylum seekers between May and June 2019. Participants were over the age of 18 and living in direct provision in Cork or Kerry. The present study uses a content analysis to explore the perspectives of asylum seekers when accessing sexual health services in Cork and Kerry. Results Participants demonstrated varying levels of understanding around the topic of sexual health and sexual health services. Several barriers and facilitators were identified which can be grouped into socioeconomic, political/legal, systemic, and social/cultural/religious barriers and facilitators. Conclusions The findings from this study highlighted several areas for improvement in the provision of information and services in relation to sexual health for asylum seekers living in direct provision and revealed the importance of addressing these issues in order to fulfil the purpose of public health by promoting health, preventing disease and prolonging life for all aspects of society. Key messages This study has identified the barriers and facilitators to accessing sexual health services in the context of the direct provision system in the Republic of Ireland. The results of the study reveal the varying ideas and understanding of the topic of sexual health and how this can influence help-seeking behaviour.

The Needs of Information Services on Reproductive Health, STIs and HIV in Middle Adolescence

Reproductive health information including STIs and HIV/AIDS has been provided in community health center. In fact, the level of adolescent knowledge in terms of sexual health and its risks is still low. This study aims to identify adolescent needs of information services on sexual and reproductive health including STIs and HIV/AIDS. All adolescent aged 15 to 19 years in Ngesrep village were recruited as a sample. There were 237 adolescents participated in this cross sectional study. The findings showed that half of them have low level of knowledge, nearly half have permissive sexual attitudes, 15% have engaged in sexual intercourse. Adolescents need comprehensive information including pregnancy, sexual diseases and HIV/AIDS which provided by health workers at school health programs.

Jovens, negras e estudantes: aspectos da vulnerabilidade em São Luís do Maranhão

Resumo O artigo resulta de pesquisa realizada em uma escola pública em São Luís, Maranhão, sobre a vulnerabilidade em saúde de jovens negras estudantes do ensino médio. Buscou-se identificar a importância da presença de uma equipe que trabalhe em instituições, escolas e unidades de saúde básica públicas, além de organizações não governamentais preocupadas com a realidade escolar de jovens negras que frequentam esse locais. O trabalho se apoiou em estudos sobre a formação étnico-racial da população brasileira; nas condições de saúde da mulher negra, seus agravos e suas especificidades diante da prestação de serviços em saúde pública; e na importância da escola no ensino de conhecimentos relacionados à saúde das jovens negras. A metodologia da pesquisa envolveu aplicação e análise de questionários respondidos por jovens negras estudantes sobre saúde sexual, doenças prevalentes na população negra e locais em que as informações sobre estas são obtidas. A escola aparece como espaço de obtenção de informações sobre saúde sexual.

대학생들의 인터넷 포르노그래피 탐색이유와 사이버섹스에 대한 인식: 성별과 인터넷 포르노그래피 이용량을 중심으로

This study investigated the motivations for internet pornography search and perception on cybersex focusing on the role of gender difference and previous internet pornography use with 203 college students. The motivations included sexual relationships, masturbation, and sexual curiosity factors. Males searched for sexual relationships and masturbation, but females searched for satisfying sexual curiosity. The perception on cybersex included 2 factors-alternative sex and real sex. For males and females, no differences were found in the perceptions of engaging in sexual behavior exchanging sexual messages online similarly. The implications of the research were discussed in terms of sexual health.

“She'll be right”? National identity explanations for poor sexual health statistics in Aotearoa/New Zealand

The sexual health statistics around sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Aotearoa (New Zealand) suggest two things: many STIs are increasing, and the STI rates are high compared to other ‘similar’ countries. What sense do ordinary New Zealanders make of these figures? Focusing on heterosexual sex, this paper discusses lay accounts that sought to make sense of Aotearoa's STI statistics. In total, 58 participants (38 women, 20 men) aged 16–36 years (mean age 25) took part in 15 focus group discussions related to sexual health. Participants were mostly Pākehā (of European ancestry) and heterosexual. Data were analysed thematically. The predominant category of explanation was national ‘identity’ accounts. National ‘identity’ explanations invoked a particular New Zealand persona to explain the sexual health statistics. New Zealanders were characterised, sometimes contradictorily, as binge drinkers; poor communicators; self-sufficient and stoic; conservative yet highly and complacently sexual; and ‘laid back’, which was associated with a lack of personal concern about sexual health risk. The emphasis on national identity shifts responsibility for sexual health from the individual, and suggests agency lies beyond the individual, who is fully embedded in their culture and acts according to its dictates. In terms of sexual health, this suggests a need to consider whether, and if so how, national ‘identity’ might be meaningfully invoked and deployed in sexual health promotion initiatives.

Sexual Risk-Taking Behaviors among Boys Aged 15–18 Years in Tehran

Purpose The purpose of this study is to evaluate the extent and potential correlates of sexual risk-taking behaviors among adolescent boys aged 15–18 in metropolitan Tehran. Methods Data were collected from a population-based, cross-sectional survey of adolescent males (ages 15–18) residing in Tehran, Iran. Of 1385 subjects, 382 reported sexual experience (27.7%). The article is mainly considering sexually experienced subjects. Two factors were considered as sexual risk-taking behavior (“not using condom or inconsistent condom use in sexual contacts” and “ever had multiple sexual partners in lifetime.” Several other factors were considered as independent variables and their relations were assessed using t test, χ 2 test, and logistic regression models. Results Having no access to Internet, feeling regretful at sexual debut, having one sexual partner in lifetime and lower knowledge of condoms are predictors of condom non-use. Older age, using alcoholic drinks, early sexual debut, and poor knowledge of reproductive physiology are predictors of multiple sexual partners among adolescent boys aged 15–18 years. Conclusion Appropriate interventional programs should be implemented for adolescents in Iran to encourage and enable them to delay first sex and abstain unwanted and unplanned penetrative sex, to stress the health risks of alcohol use in terms of sexual health and finally to enhance their knowledge on different aspects of reproductive health particularly prevention against STI/HIV.

Partnership Dynamics and Sexual Health Risks Among Male Adolescents in the Favelas of Recife, Brazil

Adolescents' past and current partnerships influence their sexual health risks. Males' responsibilities and needs in terms of sexual health have long received less attention than females'. It is important to examine male adolescent sexual and contraceptive patterns within the broader context of partnership dynamics. In May 2000, 1,438 males aged 13-19 living in the urban shantytowns of Recife, Brazil, were surveyed. Adolescents gave detailed partnership, sexual and contraceptive history data in the form of month-by-month calendars for the prior two years. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between prior and current partnership experience and contraceptive use. Overall, 76% of respondents reported having had at least one partnership in the past two years; 49% of partnerships involved intercourse. On average, steady and casual partnerships lasted 4.7 months and 1.6 months, respectively. Respondents typically had spent 2.8 months of the past two years in a sexual partnership, 1.2 months of which were unprotected by contraceptive use. Of those with a recent partnership, having had a prior sexual partner was associated with elevated odds of being sexually active in the current or most recent partnership (odds ratio, 4.0). Of sexually active adolescents, having used contraceptives at first sex or in a former sexual partnership was associated with elevated odds of having used a condom in the current or most recent sexual partnership (7.9 and 6.5, respectively). Prevention programs need to have an accurate portrait of adolescent partnership dynamics, an adequate understanding of adolescent sexuality and a realistic estimation of actual exposure to risk, so interventions and messages can be tailored to adolescents' realities.

Sexual health care in persons with intellectual disabilities

In the past, preventive health concerning sexuality of people with intellectual disabilities was addressed through surgical sterilization as part of nationwide eugenic programs in many countries. For more than 30 years now, it has come progressively to light in the scientific literature that, besides major ethical and legal problems, these programs also failed to assess many of the individual's needs in sexual health. The fact that an increasing number of people with intellectual disabilities live in the community rather than in institutions has heightened public awareness that these individuals have sexual expectancies, desires, and needs that must be supported through both education and health services. The emergence of AIDS, including descriptions of cases among people with intellectual disabilities, has further demonstrated that surgical sterilization cannot be considered a global option to achieve preventive sexual health. The aim of this paper is to review scientific studies that have assessed the expectancies and support needs of persons with intellectual disabilities in terms of sexual health. These needs vary widely from one individual to another, according to life milieu, level of disability, and potential comorbidity. From this review, it appears that hygiene management, global gynecological care, and prevention of unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and abuse have been frequently identified as areas in which the presence of intellectual disability dictates specific support needs. Different approaches that have been evaluated to address these issues will also be discussed.

Is Schooling a Risk? Gender, Power Relations, and School Culture in Uganda

This article relates a study of AIDS education in Uganda which used an ethnography of school culture to explore the contradictions in curriculum intervention. The school was found to be a site of an extensive set of gendered practices which constituted a risk in themselves in terms of sexual health. Four forms of control are examined in this article: hegemonic masculinity, gendered discipline patterns, sexual harassment and 'compulsory' heterosexuality. Male domination and power imbalances in the school encouraged attitudes and practices with regard to sexual relationships which negated the official messages of the AIDS curriculum.

Narratives, Culture and Sexual Health: Personal Life Experiences of Salvadorean and Chilean Women Living in Melbourne, Australia

This article examines narratives about culture, gender, identity and sexual health amongst Chilean and Salvadorean women living in Melbourne, Australia. We compare women’s narratives about gender roles in their home country to make sense of their experiences of migration, the tensions that arise in renegotiating their gender identities and roles in a new country and the ways these changes are experienced in terms of sexual health and well being. In comparing these past and present narratives of Chilean and Salvadorean born women, we raise a number of questions about the assumptions underpinning many of the sexual health promotion and STD prevention programmes targeted at women in migrant communities in Australia. Many of these programmes have targeted specific ‘language groups’ or ‘geographical regions’ with little attention paid to variations of cultural or socio-economic contexts within people’s home countries or the specific ways in which these impact on gender roles. Additionally, very few sexual health policies and strategies in Australia take into account the impact of the‘migration and settlement process’ and the ways these experiences influence cultural and gender identity of migrants in Australia. We propose that there is a need to build effective and flexible sexual health promotion and STDs, including HIV/AIDS, prevention strategies that build upon a dual strategy which includes men and women.

Factors and processes in heterosexual competence and risk: An integrated review of the evidence

Separate bodies of literature exist on factors influencing negative or positive outcomes in terms of sexual health. These research traditions have shown that sexual conduct is complex social behaviour. Both heterosexual pleasure and risk are influenced by a multitude of factors and cannot be reduced to separate causes. In this article we combine these separate areas of research by putting together the evidence on the use of contraceptives in general. condoms in particular, and on sexual aggression. The evidence on factors influencing either positive or negative outcomes regarding these risks is reviewed. and common factors are identified. An integrated conceptual view of heterosexual risks is presented. in which interactional competence is taken to be a crucial concept. The competence of both heterosexual partners is considered to be related to factors in childhood and adolescence, the wider socio-cultural and interpersonal context, the specific meanings and functions of sexuality for the individual, and aspects of the immediate context. Possibilities of the model and directions for future research are briefly discussed.

Female condoms

Early versions of a female condom were available in the 1920s and 1960s, but they were little used and soon forgotten. It took the arrival of AIDS, and the urgent need for a wider range of female-controlled barrier techniques, to rekindle scientific interest in this method. In the 1980s, three groups in Europe and the USA began development of new female condom designs, comprising 'Femidom (Reality)', the 'Bikini Condom', and 'Women's Choice'. Apart from differences in their physical design, Femidom differs from the others in that it is made of a polyurethane membrane, which has several advantages over latex. Of the three, Femidom is the most advanced in terms of development and clinical testing, and it is the only one to have reached the marketing stage. Laboratory studies and clinical trials suggest that its contraceptive efficacy is similar to that documented for the male condom, though a direct comparison is not possible because no comparative clinical trials have, as yet, been undertaken. Reported 'typical-use' pregnancy rates range from 12.4 to 22.2% at 6 months of use in the USA and Latin America, respectively, while a study in the UK observed a rate of 15% at 12 months. As with all barrier methods, most failures appear to be associated with poor compliance or incorrect use. 'Perfect-use' pregnancy rates were substantially lower, indicating that Femidom can be very effective, if used consistently and correctly.Evidence for Femidom's effectiveness to protect against transmission of sexual disease-causing organisms, including HIV, is still very limited and based largely on laboratory studies. Whilst, in theory, the condom should confer reliable protection, its efficacy in clinical use will depend upon correct and consistent use and upon the product's ability to maintain an effective physical barrier throughout penetrative intercourse. In this respect, the results of recent and ongoing clinical studies are expected with much interest.How valuable Femidom will prove to be, in terms of sexual health and contraception, will also depend largely on its long-term user-acceptability. As is generally the case with new methods, initial public interest in Femidom is expected to be high, as was documented in numerous surveys, and there undoubtedly exists a sub-group of women who view the product as their most appropriate contraceptive/sexually transmitted disease prevention option. However, more information on the product's acceptability, based on continuation rates, as is usually applied to other contraceptive techniques, is urgently needed to permit a more reliable assessment of Femidom's position among current methods.The arrival of a female condom represents a welcome addition to the range of female-controlled barrier contraceptives and, because of its numerous potential advantages over the male condom, may play an important role in the prevention of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.