Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy are significant public health concerns. Abstinence-only until marriage (AOUM) and abstinence pledge programs have received a significant amount of government funding in an attempt to address these problems. Despite receiving over two billion dollars in funding, the programs have not been shown to be effective in achieving their stated goals. In addition, there are significant concerns about the content of AOUM curriculums, including medical inaccuracy and use of outdated gender stereotypes.

Background: The purpose of this secondary data analysis was to determine the prevalence of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBI) and to examine the role of survival sex in sexual risk among street-involved youth in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Methods: Between 1999 and 2003, 743 Winnipeg street youth were interviewed in three separate cohorts as part of a national multi-centred study by the Public Health Agency of Canada. Results: Among the 673 Winnipeg street youth who responded to questions relating to survival sex, 26.3% reported they had engaged in survival sex. Females and Aboriginal youth were at greatest risk for sex trade involvement. Youth engaged in survival sex were diagnosed with significantly higher rates of STBBI; experienced greater amounts of abuse; and were at greater risk for participating in high risk sexual behaviours compared to their non-sex trade counterparts. Conclusion: Gender specific, culturally appropriate, and youth oriented prevention and intervention strategies are urgently required to reduce the prevalence of STBBI and survival sex among this at-risk population.

The national reported rates of sexually transmitted infections (other than HIV/AIDS) in Ireland have been increasing over the last decade of the 20^th century. Medical professionals and epidemiologists consider the rates of STIs as indicators of the proportion of the population engaging in 'high risk' behaviour. According to this hypothesis, an increase in reported rates reflects an increase in 'high risk' behaviours. This thesis will examine this relationship and determine the reasons for the increased reported rates in Ireland. This will involve an investigation into Irish sexual behaviours and attitudes, thus giving an insight into Irish sexuality, which has previously attracted little sociological interest. Evidence in regard to Irish sexuality and sexually transmitted infections is limited. In the absence of longitudinal data on sexual behaviours and a national survey on STIs and risk-taking sexual behaviours, the question of the rising rates has to be addressed by collating available data from different sources. This involves: (1) the use of epidemiological and GUM clinics' information, (2) a socio-historical account of Irish sexuality and sexually transmitted infections and (3) a comparative analysis of Irish sexual behaviours and attitudes with four other countries utilising the International Social Survey Programme's 1994 dataset, Family and Changing Gender Roles II. It is concluded that the increasing reporting rates of STIs are not being directly caused by accompanying increases of 'high risk' sexual behaviours in the general population but are produced by a number of factors including a growing public openness about sexuality and sexual health awareness.

Background: Street-involved youth are known to be at a greatly increased risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs); however, the role that environmental and structural factors play in driving disease transmission risk among this population has not been thoroughly examined. Methods: The At Risk Youth Study (ARYS) is a prospective cohort of homeless and street-involved youth between the ages of 14 and 26. From September 2005 to October 2006, participants completed a baseline questionnaire which elicited information regarding sexual activity, injection and non-injection drug use, addiction treatment experience, encounters with police and security guards, and health service utilization. Environmental and structural correlates of number of recent sex partners were identified using quasi-Poisson regression. Factors independently associated with consistent condom use were also examined using logistic regression. Results: Among 529 participants, 415 (78.4%) were sexually active during the past six months, of whom 253 (61.0%) reported multiple sex partners and 288 (69.6%) reported inconsistent condom use during this time period. In multivariate logistic regression, homelessness and self-reported structural barriers to accessing health services were inversely associated with consistent condom use. In multivariate analysis, living in a shelter, hostel, or single room occupancy hotel was positively associated with greater numbers of recent sex partners. Structural factors that were associated with number of sex partners included having a warrant or area restriction that affects access to health services, and for males, being accosted by the police. Conclusions: Unstable housing, homelessness, and structural factors related to the criminalization and displacement of street-involved youth were associated with an increased risk of HIV and STI transmission, even after extensive adjustment for sociodemographic and individual level characteristics. These findings suggest that both environmental and structural factors influence the spread of HIV and STIs, and point to the need for environmental-structural interventions to reduce the burden of these diseases among this population.

Thesis (PhD)--University of South Australia, 2001.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2002. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Thesis (M.D.)-- University of Adelaide, Dept. of Medicine, 1974.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1997. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [197]-205).

Thesis (MHSc--Health Science) -- AUT University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. Also held in print (ix, 144 leaves ; 30 cm.) in the Archive at the City Campus (T 613.954 WAE)

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Teachers College, Columbia University. / Typescript; issued also on microfilm. Sponsor: Paul Byers. Dissertation Committee: William C. Sayres. Bibliography: leaves 97-103.