Culture, Health & Sexuality最新文献

The objective of this study was to understand aromantic peoples' experiences of intra-community discrimination within the Queer community. Methods included thematic analysis of open-ended data, drawn from a convenience sample of aromantic individuals from a cross-sectional, online, international survey. Thematic analysis led to the identification of three themes. The first elucidated how discrimination against aromantic people within the Queer community is so prevalent that those who have not experienced it consider themselves lucky. A second theme centred on discriminatory attitudes which were largely governed by ignorance and misunderstanding about aromanticism and worked to exclude aromantic people from fuller participation within the Queer community. The third theme explained how intra-community discrimination causes some aromantic people to disengage from the Queer community. Discrimination faced by aromantic people within the Queer community has negative implications for mental health and wellbeing within aromantic communities. Aromantic people, as well as members of the wider Queer community, stand to benefit from efforts to ensure aromantic people are included and affirmed within the Queer community.

This study examined how adolescents in Rural Tanzania navigate social norms governing their access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Services. Informed by Giddens' Structuration Theory, we adopted a qualitative case study approach. Data were collected between March and June 2025 through 60 in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions (two in each ward) with adolescents and young people aged 14-19, as well as with six healthcare workers in Nyasa District. Thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke's six-step framework, revealed three interrelated patterns of agency: norm reproduction, norm resistance, and norm negotiation. Adolescents and young people reproduced dominant norms by prioritising social acceptance through social conformity and behavioural self-regulation in line with community expectations, resistance through discreet strategies such as covert clinic visits, and norm negotiation by balancing compliance with selective access to services. In a context marked by rural poverty, intergenerational authority, and stigmatising gender expectations, adolescents actively navigated constraints while seeking to maintain dignity and community belonging. This study contributes to scholarship on social norms and adolescent health by advancing a nuanced understanding of how young people exercise agency within a restrictive cultural context. It also offers practical insights into culturally responsive interventions that move beyond policy rhetoric to address lived realities.

This descriptive qualitative study explored Jordanian and Syrian adolescents' understandings of available sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information sources and identified their perceived barriers to accessing these sources. The sample consisted of 179 adolescent participants aged 15-19 who were enrolled from community centres in the four main cities of northern and central Jordan. Same-sex trained facilitators guided focus groups to generate discussions. Thematic analysis found that adolescents frequently expressed how conservative social norms, referred to as the 'culture of shame,' prohibited them from accessing and obtaining accurate SRH information. The 'taboo' surrounding SRH in Jordanian society made adolescents feel embarrassed and judged when seeking SRH information. Intergenerational dialogue regarding SRH was generally prohibited and limited. Despite the cultural shame surrounding reproduction and sexuality, participants identified diverse sources in their quest for adequate and reliable SRH information. This study underscores the need for culturally acceptable and youth-friendly SRH services and information. Efforts should be directed towards meeting adolescents, and young people's needs in this regard. Additionally, the sensitive nature of SRH topics for Jordanian adolescents and their parents should be considered.

This study examines how COVID-19 restrictions influenced the location of first sexual intercourse among Mexican university students. The sample included 221 students who initiated sexual activity during the pandemic and 162 who did so before or after. During the pandemic, there was a significant change, with a reduction in sexual relations at parents' houses (from 54.9% to 40.3%) and an increase in first sex in rented/borrowed houses (from 9.3% to 19.5%) and outdoor spaces (from 2.5% to 9.5%). However, at all times, even during pandemic restrictions, the parents' house remained the most common site for first sexual intercourse (46.5%). Other notable locations included hotels/motels (22.7%), rented/borrowed houses (15.1%), cars (9.1%), urban outdoors (3.7%), and rural outdoors (2.9%). Those who first started having sex during the pandemic displayed a lower level of interest in sexual activity (inhibited sexual desire (ISD) score: 3.39 vs 2.64, p = .006), initiated later (17.92 vs 16.95 years, p < .001), and had fewer partners (2.18 vs 2.77, p = .048). These findings highlight the continued importance of the parental home as a key site for first sexual activity among students, but with key shifts in location linked to pandemic restrictions.

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) communication between parents and children is critical for adolescent well-being but remains limited in many Sub-Saharan African contexts. This study examined how masculinity norms shape SRH communication between parents and boys in rural southwestern Uganda, where such interactions are often constrained by gender socialisation, fear-based approaches, and traditional expectations of masculinity. Using qualitative methods and a community-based participatory research design, data were collected from emerging adults, parents and community stakeholders to identify barriers to effective communication. Findings revealed that while cultural norms emphasised mothers' guidance of daughters on SRH, boys were left to navigate these issues independently. Fathers often avoided discussing SRH, reinforcing self-reliance and emotional restraint that aligned with traditional masculine ideals. Fear-based communication, centred on concerns about pregnancy, HIV and societal shame, further limited boys' openness, pushing them towards secrecy and misinformation from peers and media. This neglect perpetuates sexual risk and creates missed opportunities to challenge harmful norms. By focusing on boys, this study highlights the need for programmes and interventions that address the impact of masculinity norms on SRH communication. Promoting equitable, open dialogue between parents and boys is key to improving adolescent health outcomes and fostering gender-sensitive SRH education.

This study draws from qualitative research conducted using a participatory action framework with 47 young adults who identified as people living with HIV, men who have sex with men, transgender, non-binary, or sex workers in Vietnam. The research objectives were to explore their experiences using mobile phones to access sexual and reproductive (SRH) health information and support and the impact of the digital turn in health on their autonomy, privacy and equality. The research was conducted through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and digital ethnography. The project utilised a participatory action research framework. The research was led by the Vietnam Network of People Living with HIV within the frame of a three-country study, and the authors describe how the network used the findings to advance policy. The paper concludes by proposing participatory action research as a useful methodology for studying human rights and digital health governance.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective means of HIV prevention, reducing infection risk by up to 92% with consistent use. Despite its efficacy, PrEP adoption remains low due to structural, social and personal barriers, including stigmatisation. This study aimed to analyse representations of PrEP in the Spanish press from 2018 to 2023, focusing on how media coverage influences public perception and stigmatisation. We conducted a quantitative content analysis of articles from four Spanish newspapers (El País, La Vanguardia, El Mundo, and Ara). Articles were selected based on relevance to PrEP and analysed for themes of hope and risk, framing, metaphors, and stereotypes. The analysis revealed a shift from hopeful representations of PrEP as a biomedical advance to risk-focused narratives post-implementation. Media coverage predominantly linked PrEP to use by cisgender men, with limited mention of cisgender women and trans men. The presence of individual testimonies increased after PrEP became available, while collective voices from civil society organisations decreased. No differences were found in coverage between newspapers. The media's shift from hopeful to risk-oriented narratives may contribute to PrEP stigmatisation, potentially hindering its adoption. The study highlights the need for more inclusive and accurate media reporting to support PrEP uptake and reduce associated stigma.

Women who suffer from an obstetric fistula endure more than just physical pain. Their ability or desire to bear children may also be affected due to physical damage to their reproductive organs. In addition, they may suffer from emotional trauma which is likely to affect their decision to have children. The aim of this study therefore was to explore in more detail the perspectives of obstetric fistula survivors about childbearing after treatment for their condition. This qualitative study was conducted at a non-governmental organisation in the Central Region of Malawi. Data was collected using in-depth interviews from 18 women who had suffered from an obstetric fistula. The study revealed that many women either had no further desire for children or were unable to bear children. Fear of dying and resulting pain from the fistula surgery deter women from wanting further pregnancies. However, there was still strong emphasis placed on childbearing, especially for the younger women who desired children as a means of maintaining their marriages. The risk of further pregnancies and mitigation strategies for reducing obstetric fistulas, should be fully communicated to women. Those who become infertile as a result of obstetric fistula may also require appropriate counselling.

Disparities in adolescent sexual and reproductive health (SRH) outcomes in rural areas of the USA persist as a concern in achieving health equity for youth. A growing body of literature recognises that improving adolescents' health necessitates systems thinking to address the culture and environment in which adolescents live. This paper uses systems thinking to identify leverage points to improve adolescent SRH in rural Latino communities in California. We conducted focus group discussions with 22 young people and interviewed 10 adult stakeholders to centre the perspectives of youth and youth-serving professionals. Transcripts were coded and analysed using systems thinking. Five themes were developed: (1) community and cultural norms can be a source of both support and stigma for youth; (2) families are key to supporting health education and services; (3) rural schools provide a central hub for programme delivery; (4) community-based organisations can work to serve rural youth, but limited resources and transport are challenges; and (5) youth face considerable barriers accessing SRH services in their communities. Using systems thinking to identify leverage points and gaps in interactions between system components influencing youth can aid in the development of more holistic and culturally responsive approaches for rural youth SRH.

Self-stigma and minority stress necessitate programmes and interventions that consider and respond to how LGBTQ+ individuals evaluate, cope with, and seek support in relation to these stressors and their sources. Self-help materials are potentially useful in supporting the development of skills and knowledge that may help LGBTQ+ youth cope with minority stress and self-stigma. This study developed 54 online self-help resources for Filipino LGBTQ+ youth. The developed materials were evaluated by twenty-four respondents representative of LGBTQ+ youth and advocates, content experts, and community partners to obtain quantitative and qualitative feedback. The self-help materials were rated positively indicating that the materials were attractive, understandable, acceptable, believable, relatable, relevant, and motivational to a considerable extent. The materials developed may prove helpful in providing Filipino LGBTQ+ youth with evidence-informed, contextually grounded self-help resources to support and promote their mental health.