International Journal of Sexual Health最新文献

Objective: This study aimed to examine sexual desire among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Czech Republic using the Sexual Desire Inventory-2 (SDI-2) and to identify differences based on sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics.

Methods: Data were collected via an online survey between 2021 and 2022. The SDI-2 was administered to 410 MSM aged 18 to 60 (M = 29.7) and recruited through social media and community outreach. The questionnaire included dyadic and solitary sexual desire subscales, as well as sociodemographic and behavioral variables (e.g., sexual preference, HIV status, education level, and frequency of sexual activity). Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Pearson correlations, and effect size calculations (η²).

Results: MSM reporting sexual attraction to both men and women had the highest total SDI-2 scores, followed by those attracted exclusively to men. Respondents attracted solely to women scored significantly lower. Dyadic sexual desire was positively associated with being in a relationship and a higher frequency of sexual activity, while solitary sexual desire correlated with younger age and more frequent masturbation. HIV-positive participants reported significantly lower scores across both subscales. Education level showed a significant effect, with the highest sexual desire found among those with incomplete primary education.

Conclusions: A combination of behavioral and sociodemographic variables influences sexual desire in MSM. These findings provide new insight into sexual motivation among Czech MSM and underscore the importance of inclusive sexual health interventions. Further cross-cultural studies using the SDI-2 are encouraged.

Objectives: Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) persons are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infection (STI) inequities. Research predominantly focuses on HIV disparities among transfeminine persons, whereas non-HIV STIs (e.g., chlamydia) and transmasculine and nonbinary persons are overlooked. Thus, we examined barriers and facilitators to uptake of non-HIV STI testing among TGD persons, inclusive of transmasculine, transfeminine, and nonbinary persons.

Methods: This community-based explanatory sequential mixed-methods study utilized secondary quantitative data collected 2018-2019 from the Michigan Trans Health Survey (n = 528) analyzed utilizing logistic regression to test associations between social ecological hypothesized factors and non-HIV STI testing. Primary qualitative focus group data collected 2022 (n = 36 TGD participants) were analyzed using a reflexive thematic approach.

Results: In multivariable analyses adjusting for age and race, reporting a very/somewhat inclusive primary care provider and ever experiencing sexual violence were statistically significantly positively associated with testing. Five themes were identified that illustrated the complexity of the testing process: 1) The "why" motivating testing; 2) "I've been vocal": The impact of individual agency on TGD peoples' testing practices; 3) "It's a big ordeal": Running the gauntlet of testing; 4) "Doesn't give me a hassle": Gratitude for bare minimum dignity when accessing care; and, 5) "Open, honest, and transparent": Increased testing access due to collaborative, judgment-free, and trustworthy patient-provider relationships.

Conclusions: Findings inform future interventions to increase STI testing among TGD populations, such as enhanced trauma-informed, intersectional, and gender-affirming STI testing, across urgent care, sexual and reproductive healthcare, and primary care. Findings call for systems-level change to promote such care to increase STI testing and advance health equity among TGD populations.

Objective: Research on use of geosocial networking (GSN) applications (e.g. Grindr, Tinder) by sexual minorities has primarily focused on risky behavior and negative health outcomes (e.g. sexually transmitted infections/HIV, drugs, alcohol, violence) among men who have sex with men. Taking a sex-positive approach, this study aimed to understand how sexual minority GSN app users in the UK and USA perceive impacts on their health and how they manage potential risks. Differences between countries and genders are explored.

Design and methods: Qualitative, cross-cultural study in Merseyside (UK) and Connecticut (USA). Photo-elicitation (fake dating profiles) was used in semi-structured interviews conducted with app users seeking same gender partners (n = 31; 15 women, and 16 men) in 2018-2019. Participants were recruited through local LGBTQ+ organizations, social media and from a previous survey, within a quota sampling framework. Transcripts were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: Perceived positive health impacts included social and romantic/sexual connections, boosts to self-esteem, and pleasurable sexual experiences. Some negative outcomes were reported, mainly by men, including rejection and low self-esteem, and racism and discrimination. Participants of all genders used strategies to reduce risks to health. Women were particularly cautious of men on apps. No differences between UK and the USA were noted.

Conclusions: GSN apps can enable positive sexual experiences and have the potential to increase social cohesion and improve mental wellbeing for stigmatized sexual minorities. All participants took measures to protect both their physical safety and mental wellbeing. Using a sex-positive health promotion approach could empower app users to build on their personal strengths and resources. Although GSN app companies may need to do more to tackle discrimination, apps show a promising opportunity for reducing isolation and health inequities. The similarity of the findings in both areas suggests evidence from the USA may be applicable in the UK.

Objectives: Compulsive sexual behavior (CSB) has recently been recognized as a possible disorder (CSBD) by the World Health Organization (ICD-11) and may affect a significant portion of adolescents. Yet the relationship between CSB, religious values, and sexual shame remains underexplored in this population. This study investigated how CSB, moral disapproval, and sexual shame intersect among Orthodox Jewish adolescents.

Methods: Drawing on a sample of 1,050 adolescents (63% boys and 37% girls, M_age = 17.39, SD = 1.36), the study examined the role of moral disapproval, which arises when sexual behaviors conflict with religious beliefs, in amplifying sexual shame.

Results: CSB was positively correlated with moral disapproval (particularly of masturbation, pornography, and non-pornographic sexual content) and with sexual shame, suggesting a potential reinforcing cycle between religious guilt and compulsive sexual behaviors. Network analysis revealed that more religious adolescents experienced distinct clusters of moral disapproval, with masturbation emerging as a central concern.

Conclusions: Findings suggested that adolescents in religious communities might face heightened sexual shame due to the internal conflict between their sexual behaviors and religious ideals, emphasizing the importance of addressing both moral disapproval and CSB in therapeutic and educational settings. By fostering open dialogue around these topics, interventions can help mitigate shame and promote healthier sexual development within religious contexts.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to understand social representations of the Portuguese population regarding sexual assistance services for people with physical disabilities.

Methods: A questionnaire collected sociodemographic information and attitudes concerning sexual assistance from 167 Portuguese participants over 18 years of age.

Results: Results suggest most participants agree with legal recognition of sexual assistance services, expressing their agreement that it should require training, be remunerated, be aided by the availability of a list of professionals who provide these services, and attribution of public funds to make access possible to anyone. Contact with sex workers and perception of people with physical disabilities' interest in sexual assistance are associated with higher acceptance of these services.

Conclusions: These findings showed positive social representations toward sexual assistance, emphasizing a need for further debate between people with disabilities, sex workers, academia and policymakers regarding training for providers of sexual assistance, creation of a list of sexual assistants, public funding to make these services accessible, and legal recognition of sexual services, to ensure the rights of people with disabilities and sex workers.

Implications: The findings underscore the importance of advancing public discourse on key issues related to sexual assistance, including the development of specialized training programs for sexual assistance, the establishment of a list of qualified sexual assistants, the provision of public funding to enhance service accessibility, and the legal recognition of sexual assistance. These measures are essential to safeguarding the rights of both people with disabilities and sex workers.

Introduction: Healthy relationships rely on emotional, physical, and sexual connections, but genitopelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD) can render intimacy difficult for affected couples. This condition also affects the psychological and sexual well-being of male partners, which frequently leads to feelings of rejection and frustration that can further strain relationships. To effectively support couples, understanding how male partners are impacted by and cope with their partner's GPPPD, the focus of this study, is crucial.

Methods: This study conducted a systematic review of the literature published up to 2024 across nine databases to identify studies on male sexual dysfunction related to female partners with GPPPD. Studies that focused on male responses to GPPPD, excluding reviews and theoretical articles, were considered eligible. Data were extracted and assessed using PRISMA guidelines and the Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies (ROBINS-E) tool, focusing on outcomes such as sexual dysfunction, mental health, relationship satisfaction, and effort to seek solutions among male partners.

Results: Conducted between 2008 and 2020 in several countries, primarily from the Middle East, these studies involved approximately 2,485 couples. The results highlighted that male partners of women with GPPPD frequently experience significant sexual dissatisfaction and dysfunction, including issues such as premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and hypoactive sexual desire. These challenges typically lead biological, psychological, and social impacts. We also observed no significant differentiation across cultures, social values, or generations.

Conclusion: The review identified three major responses and effects of GPPPD among men, including personal and relational tension that contribute to mental and sexual disorders; however, men frequently actively seek help and adopt coping strategies instead of passively accepting the situation.

Objectives: Sexual expression is important to many older adults, but this population may be overlooked by sexual health campaigns and services. This study sought to understand the sexual health information-seeking behaviors and preferences of older adults, including whether and where they seek this information, the characteristics associated with seeking it, as well as satisfaction, preferences, and reasons for not seeking it.

Methods: The data were gathered in 2021 via a cross-sectional online survey of Australians aged 60 and over. There were seven quantitative outcomes and one set of free-text comments. Quantitative outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi² test, and logistic regression. The free-text comments were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.

Results: The survey sample was comprised of 1,470 respondents with an equal balance of men (49.9%) and women (49.7%) and a median age of 69 years (range of 60-92 years). Findings showed that 41.2% (602/1,461; 95%CI 38.7-43.7) had sought information, and 63.6% were satisfied with the information found. Being male, STI testing, online dating, age 70-79, and urban-living were associated with information-seeking. Healthcare providers were the most utilized and trusted information source, and many respondents were willing to look online. One in five did not seek information when they needed it, outlining various barriers preventing them from doing so.

Conclusions: Many older adults seek sexual health information, and with some experiencing access barriers and one-third unsatisfied, there is room for improvement. Relevant, accessible information should be provided by healthcare professionals and credible websites.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the psychosocial phenotype and its association with risky sexual behavior to deepen the understanding of the mechanisms of risky sexual behavior (RSB) among people living with HIV.

Methods: Data were collected between October and December 2021 in a cross-sectional study. Participants were 727 people living with HIV from an HIV clinic in a comprehensive hospital and completed a battery of questionnaires. A latent profile approach was utilized to identify the psychosocial phenotype based on depression, stigma, and social support. Multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate the relationship between sexual behaviors and the psychosocial phenotype.

Results: Three distinct phenotypes were identified: a low-risk profile (52.68%), a middle-risk profile (37.96%), and a high-risk profile (9.35%). These profiles exhibited a gradually increasing level of depression and stigma but a decreased level of social support. Participants in the middle-risk profile were twice as likely to engage in risky sexual behavior than those in low-risk profile (OR = 1.924, p = .008).

Conclusions: This study implies the synergistic impact of depression, stigma, and social support on the occurrence of risky sexual behavior among people living with HIV, which may be useful to the early intervention of risky sexual behavior.

Objectives: Faking orgasm is a common yet psychologically complex behavior among women, shaped by both emotional vulnerabilities and sexual motivations. This study examined the psychological correlates of faking orgasm in two sexual contexts-vaginal intercourse and oral sex-focusing on difficulties in emotion regulation and sexual motivation.

Method: A sample of 425 Hungarian women completed self-report measures assessing six facets of emotion regulation (Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale), three types of sexual motivation (Hungarian Short Form of the Reasons for Having Sex Questionnaire), and four motives for faking orgasm in each context (Faking Orgasm Scale). We used a dual analytic approach combining network analysis and multiple linear regressions to explore and predict context-specific patterns.

Results: Faking orgasm was associated with emotion regulation difficulties-especially non-acceptance of emotions, impulse control problems, and lack of emotional clarity-and with sexual motivations related to coping, personal goals, and partner-focused concerns. These associations were stronger and more interconnected in vaginal intercourse than in oral sex. Network centrality analyses identified coping-related motivation and emotion regulation deficits as key variables.

Conclusions: Faking orgasm may serve as a strategic emotion regulation behavior embedded in relational dynamics and sociocultural scripts. The findings highlight the importance of addressing emotional literacy, sexual communication, and relational expectations in clinical and educational contexts. Future research should investigate real-time affective processes and cultural norms that shape women's sexual behavior.

Objectives: To identify trajectories of chemsex engagement and their evolution across time among men who have sex with men (MSM) and the associated factors.

Methods: Among 2518 PrEP-using MSM in the French ANRS- Prévenir cohort, a group-based trajectory model was used to identify trajectories of chemsex engagement. A multivariable model was then used to estimate time-constant factors associated with trajectory membership, and time-varying factors associated with the shape of each trajectory. Data were collected quarterly from self-administered online questionnaires and electronic case record forms. The median follow-up time was 21 months [interquartile range: 9-27 months].

Results: Four distinct trajectories were identified: the Null/low (probability of engagement) (N-CX, n = 1881, 75%), the Increasing (I-CX, n = 158, 6%), the Decreasing (D-CX, n = 195, 8%), and the High (H-CX, n = 284, 11%). Compared to N-CX: MSM in the I-CX and D-CX were younger (OR [95%CI]: 0.95[0.93-0.98], p < 0.001 & 0.94[0.91-0.96] p < 0.001 per additional year or point (p/y), respectively), while MSM in the H-CX were older (1.03[1.01-1.05] p/y, p = 0.016); depression score was higher among the D-CX (1.02[1.00-1.04] p/y, p = 0.026) and lower among the I-CX (0.97[0.94-0.99] p/y, p = 0.028). Use of daily PrEP regimen (compared to 'on-demand') was associated with increased and decreased likelihood of chemsex engagement for the H-CX (Coeff.(SE): 0.75(0.33), p = 0.027) and D-CX (-0.41(0.20), p = 0.043), respectively. The likelihood of chemsex engagement increased for the D-CX (0.02(0.01), p = 0.006), H-CX (0.04(0.01), p = 0.004), and N-CX (0.008(0.003), p = 0.011) as their number of casual sex partners increased. Participants in the N-CX and D-CX were more likely to engage in chemsex if they engaged in condomless anal sex during their last sexual encounter [0.86 (0.34), p = 0.011 and 1.63 (0.21), p < 0.001, respectively].

Conclusion: Four different patterns of engagement in chemsex were identified, with specific sexual behaviors and HIV prevention strategies. Differentiated healthcare and prevention approaches could be offered to MSM based on their patterns of chemsex engagement.