BACKGROUND: Youth continue to be at high risk for STI and HIV transmission and unplanned pregnancies because of their liberal approach to sexual-health and their susceptibility toward engaging in risky activities. Youth who are street involved face greater risks than their peers because they occasionally participate in behaviours that places them at increased risk; for instance injection drug use, multiples sex partners, low condom use and considerable substance use. However, while street youth are predisposed to engage in many of the situations they do, some street youth are also making decisions to limit risk. OBJECTIVES: To 1) determine the basic level of HIV and STI knowledge of street youth; 2) to understand youth’s knowledge of, access to, and use of sexual-health information; 3) to explore where and from youth would like to get accurate sexual-health information and appropriate care; 4) to determine whether peer education is a useful method of transmitting sexual-health information to youth; 5) to assess the sexual risk level of youth; and 6) to develop an understanding of the proactive sexual-health behaviours and decisions youth have established for themselves. METHODS: Street-involved and homeless youth living in Hamilton, Ontario (n=97) who were between the ages of 14 and 24 were interviewed using a 112 questions interview tool. Topics covered in the interview included demographics, personal safety, health behaviour, accessing sexual-health information, accessing sexual-health services, HIV/AIDS knowledge and services use and peer education. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted using SAS. RESULTS: Youth had high rates of STI and HIV testing and good HIV knowledge when compared to the general youth population. However, the sample also had increased rates of unplanned pregnancies and young women were not well-informed about what gets tested for in pap smears. Some youth are also not accessing sexual-health services at all. CONCLUSIONS: Youth are making attempts to protect themselves, however there are areas for improvement; specifically increased condom-use, knowledge of HIV and pap smears. Youth who were found to have increased risk were youth who were under the age of 19, and youth who had experienced unstable housing before the age of 15. The findings suggest that sexual-health harm reduction needs to start at a younger age and the basics of sexual-health should not be overlooked.

BACKGROUND: Youth continue to be at high risk for STI and HIV transmission and unplanned pregnancies because of their liberal approach to sexual-health and their susceptibility toward engaging in risky activities. Youth who are street involved face greater risks than their peers because they occasionally participate in behaviours that places them at increased risk; for instance injection drug use, multiples sex partners, low condom use and considerable substance use. However, while street youth are predisposed to engage in many of the situations they do, some street youth are also making decisions to limit risk. OBJECTIVES: To 1) determine the basic level of HIV and STI knowledge of street youth; 2) to understand youth’s knowledge of, access to, and use of sexual-health information; 3) to explore where and from youth would like to get accurate sexual-health information and appropriate care; 4) to determine whether peer education is a useful method of transmitting sexual-health information to youth; 5) to assess the sexual risk level of youth; and 6) to develop an understanding of the proactive sexual-health behaviours and decisions youth have established for themselves. METHODS: Street-involved and homeless youth living in Hamilton, Ontario (n=97) who were between the ages of 14 and 24 were interviewed using a 112 questions interview tool. Topics covered in the interview included demographics, personal safety, health behaviour, accessing sexual-health information, accessing sexual-health services, HIV/AIDS knowledge and services use and peer education. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were conducted using SAS. RESULTS: Youth had high rates of STI and HIV testing and good HIV knowledge when compared to the general youth population. However, the sample also had increased rates of unplanned pregnancies and young women were not well-informed about what gets tested for in pap smears. Some youth are also not accessing sexual-health services at all. CONCLUSIONS: Youth are making attempts to protect themselves, however there are areas for improvement; specifically increased condom-use, knowledge of HIV and pap smears. Youth who were found to have increased risk were youth who were under the age of 19, and youth who had experienced unstable housing before the age of 15. The findings suggest that sexual-health harm reduction needs to start at a younger age and the basics of sexual-health should not be overlooked.

Children and youth are one of the most important main target groups in terms of public health work because of the habits that are established at an early age often affect the rest of their lives. Habits regarding sexual health may, with lack of knowledge, provide both physical and mental health consequences for the individual, but also for future public health in general. In Sweden, the number of chlamydia cases since 1995 has been tripled among young people, with a behavior change regarding sexuality as a possible cause. The purpose of this study is to describe how young people perceive information about sexual health and where they choose to seek information, to clarify the need of information for young people. A quantitative web-based survey was conducted on high school students (n = 98) and as a complement, a qualitative study in the form of interviews (n = 5) as well. The results showed that young people are looking for safe and informative sources for information regarding sexual health. The source that reaches most of all young people, i.e. school, was not experienced as sufficient by the young people that it should, for them to not be exposed to risks that could affect their sexual health. The conclusion reveals that youths need to be offered guidance in their search for information, which good knowledge of the subject and in various educational methods, could contribute with, and at the same time offer the youth safe and secure sources based on the needs of the individual's. / Barn och unga tillhör de viktigaste målgrupperna när det gäller folkhälsoarbete eftersom de vanor som grundläggs i tidig ålder ofta påverkar individen resten av livet. Vanor när det gäller den sexuella hälsan, kan i brist på kunskap ge såväl fysiska som psykiska hälsokonsekvenser livet ut för individen, men även påverka folkhälsan generellt framöver. I Sverige har t.ex. antalet klamydiafall sedan 1995 tredubblats bland unga, med beteendeförändringar kring sexualitet som en trolig orsak. Syftet med denna studie är dels att beskriva hur ungdomar upplever information om sexuell hälsa, dels var de väljer att söka informationen, men också att tydliggöra ungdomars behov av informationsmöjligheter. En kvantitativ webbaserad enkätstudie genomfördes bland gymnasieungdomar (n=98) och som ett komplement till den genomfördes även en kvalitativ studie i form av individuella intervjuer (n=5). Resultatet visade att ungdomar söker trygga och informativa källor när det gäller information om sexuell hälsa. Den källan som når merparten av alla ungdomar, d.v.s. skolan, upplevs inte som tillräcklig av ungdomarna för att de inte ska utsättas för risker som påverkar deras sexuella hälsa. Slutsatsen blir att ungdomar behöver bli erbjudna vägledning i sitt sökande efter information, vilket god kunskap i ämnet och i olika pedagogiska metoder skulle kunna bidra med, och samtidigt erbjuda dem trygga och säkra källor utifrån individens behov

The purpose of this study was to describe the sexual health knowledge and attitudes of a sample of Saskatchewan post secondary freshmen aged 17-19. Three primary questions guided this research: What do Saskatchewan freshmen know about the general sexual health topics of physiology, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections? What are common attitudes about sexual activity, risk behaviors, and relationships? What were the main sources of sexual health information for these freshmen, and do they express a need for more education and resources? The study design was a qualitative web-based survey. Participants were volunteer freshmen aged 17-19 from the University of Saskatchewan and Saskatoon Institute of Applied Science and Technology, and 515 responded. Sixty-two percent were sexually active. Condoms were seen as helpful (98%) but only 57% saw them as effective for preventing pregnancy. Only 47% saw condoms as effective for preventing HIV/AIDS. Knowledge of reproductive physiology and STI symptoms and consequences were low with an average knowledge score of 26%, while HIV and AIDS knowledge scores averaged 80%. Knowledge of long acting contraceptives was much lower than birth control pills. Human papilloma virus was poorly understood, and many wanted more information about HPV vaccination. Attitudes were mixed about safe sexual activities, with respondents identifying condoms (94%), withdrawal (18%) and anal sex (15%) as safer sex. Condoms were used at last intercourse by 57%. A variety of attitudes were expressed about condom use, sex in relationship, and social pressures. Topics concerning to respondents were sexual violence, HIV/AIDs, STIs, unintended pregnancy, and the influence of alcohol/ drugs on sexual activity. Very few respondents had heard of or accessed sexual health websites designed and promoted to teens. An interest was expressed for more information from doctors and public health nurses, more guest speakers for SBSHE, and easier access to sexual health clinics. The information gathered in this study highlighted many areas for further detailed inquiry, and topics that can be better addressed in physician’s offices and sexual health curriculum. Additionally, the results could guide sexual health educators, policy makers and direct physicians towards collaboration and advocacy projects, and ultimately contribute to long term improvement in sexual health of Saskatchewan teens.

South Africa continues to have the highest HIV-prevalence in the world, in addition to other sexual health-related issues. A vast majority of its population is also religiously affiliated with Christianity. This study sought to understand how young women living in Khayelitsha experience the relationship between sexual health and religion within the context of uncertainty and socio-economic deprivation. How their sexual health-decision making unfolds given the tensions that arise between religious expectations and socio-economic realities and how they perceive the partnership between religious organisations and public health facilities offering sexual health services was also explored. Data collection consisted of ethnographic field notes, 11 semistructured interviews and 3 focus group discussions with 6 people in each group. Data were then analysed using a thematic analysis approach. The findings reveal that young women experience the tension between religious expectations and their socio-economic realities through the “moral dichotomisation of right and wrong” and that this, in addition to the ‘dynamics of hypervulnerability’ consisting of gender inequalities and economic vulnerability, leads to a sense of lacking control over sexual health decision-making. The call for church involvement in sexual health-related matters reveals a deeper desire for various forms of support as they transition to adulthood in the context of uncertainty and socio-economic marginalisation. The article argues that young people navigating uncertainty and dealing with the complexities of transitioning to adulthood may perceive religion and the church to play the role of a custodian in sexual health issues, however, expectations of the church are difficult to live up to and sit in tension with socio- economic realities. Thus, a division of duties between religious organisations and public health facilities should be established to strengthen sexual health promotion and prevention efforts.

Traditionally, the Vietnamese culture demands strong conservative values where individuals are expected to practice abstinence before marriage and faithfulness afterwards. Thus, the topic of sex is not widely discussed in Vietnamese families amongst parents and children. As a result, men and women who have never been to an American school will not have received up-to-date sexual health education. In addition, low acculturation levels could be preventing some Vietnamese men and women from accessing the educational and medical resources available to them. Vietnamese immigrants living in Central Florida could, therefore, be at higher risk for HIV/STI's. My research indicated several noteworthy patterns. Individuals who lived in the United States longer were able to name more types of STIs in existence. In addition, those who were slightly more acculturated were more likely to have tested themselves for STIs. These findings indicated that further research on Vietnamese immigrant is needed to explain these correlations and, hopefully, eliminate them with education specifically tailored for Vietnamese immigrants.

High school youth in Grades 9-12 who are in public schools without comprehensive sexual health education (CSHED) are more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors and have higher rates of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases than are their peers in schools with CSHED. The purpose of this correlational study was to explore the statistical relationship between the consistent implementation of CSHED, before and after the enactment of the Chicago Public Schools' (CPS) sexual health education policy, and the sexual risk behaviors of Chicago high school youth in Grades 9-12. The study was based on Antonovsky's salutogenic model of health and wellbeing. CPS students' sexual risk behaviors were analyzed using data obtained from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) for the years of 2007 and 2013. Logistic regression was used to estimate prevalence and odds ratios of each sexual risk behavior. The findings showed a complex pattern of and variances across the sexual risk behaviors analyzed. The prevalence of sexual behaviors among all students remained relatively stable. The prevalence estimates for students who drank alcohol or used drugs before the last sexual encounter and who were never taught about AIDS or HIV increased from 2007 to 2013. The likelihood of not using birth control pills before the last sexual intercourse encounter decreased among Black students; the likelihood that Hispanic/Latino students ever had sex, and had sex with 4 or more people in their life, decreased. The decrease of sexual risk behaviors indicates a positive influence by CSHED, while the increases indicate continuing challenges to the promotion of healthy sexual behaviors. These findings show the need for legislators and school administrators to increase support for the enactment of CSHED policy to help mitigate the sexual risk behaviors of high school youth.

Introduction: Youth (15-24) have the highest prevalence of sexual transmitted infections (STI) among all the age groups and this has been attributed to high sexual risk behaviour and low condom use in this group. The use of condoms by youth is negotiated through a complex array of personal and social factors. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of Swedish youth on the factors that affect their use of condoms to protect against STI.  Methodology: The data collection was done over a period of 3 months using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions (FGD) and the collected data was analysed with thematic analysis. Findings: Participants perceived that different factors across intimate social circle, community and access to condoms influence the use of condoms by youth in Sweden. The lack of information from the media, embarrassment as a barrier to obtaining condoms and the influence of parents on condom use were prominent findings. Conclusion: Efforts to improve condom use by youth will benefit from exploring the different factors that inform youth’s perceptions on condom use. Opportunities for improvement identified in this study include the installation of condom vending machines, promoting condom use through the mass media and parents discussing condoms with their children.

The aim of this article is to examine the relations between two approaches to the measurement of life history (LH) strategies: A traditional approach, termed here the biodemographic approach, measures developmental characteristics like birthweight, gestation length, interbirth intervals, pubertal timing, and sexual debut, and a psychological approach measures a suite of cognitive and behavioral traits such as altruism, sociosexual orientation, personality, mutualism, familial relationships, and religiosity. The biodemographic approach also tends not to invoke latent variables, whereas the psychological approach typically relies heavily upon them. Although a large body of literature supports both approaches, they are largely separate. This review examines the history and relations between biodemographic and psychological measures of LH, which remain murky at best. In doing so, we consider basic questions about the nature of LH strategies: What constitutes LH strategy (or perhaps more importantly, what does not constitute LH strategy)? What is gained or lost by including psychological measures in LH research? Must these measures remain independent or should they be used in conjunction as complementary tools to test tenets of LH theory? Although definitive answers will linger, we hope to catalyze an explicit discussion among LH researchers and to provoke novel research avenues that combine the strengths each approach brings to this burgeoning field.

Background: Sexuality has been considered as a part of people's lives that are more than a biological and reproductive function. Diseases, medications and mental conditions can directly or indirectly affect the person's sexual health, so it is a subject not to ignore in the nursing perspective. Although nurses believed that sexuality was an important subject, it is not a priority in psychiatric care. People with mental illness lacked information and conversations about sexuality and sexual health. It is precisely in this area that people had a higher risk of being sexually exploited, suffering from sexually transmitted infections, and unwanted pregnancies. In order to achieve a holistic care, nurses expressed that they needed to involve sexuality in their profession. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe nurses' experiences of talking about sexuality with the patients suffering from mental illness. Method: A literaturebased study of ten scientific qualitative articles that have been compiled and analyzed. Articlesearches were conducted in the databases PubMed, CINAHL, PsychInfo and PsycArticles. Results: Four categories emerged that explain the experiences of nurses related to their responsibilities and knowledge about sexuality. A category was how the responsibility of the organization to implement routines and effective work environment can influence the communication of the nurses and patients. Another category presented the feelings of nurses about how their approach and how their attitudes affect the communication with patients suffering from mental illness about sexuality. Conclusion: The nurses are awarded that sexuality is an important subject and a fundamental aspect of life. Nurses needed more education about sexuality to be able to engage in a conversation with patients and kept in mind that they are responsible for holistic care. Nurses attitudes towards to the mental health patients and sexuality is a big barrier in which nurses need to change and the organization needs to provide all the necessary help for the nurses to do an adequate job. Patients need to receive the best care regardless of their mental state.