The experience of sexuality during adolescence is considered a normative aspect of adolescence marked by the influence of biological, familial and cultural aspects that will be the pattern of sexual identity and sexual behavior of adolescents. However, many adolescents do not have adequate knowledge and skills to implement safe sexual behavior may lead them to engage in sexual behaviors that create risk to their health. These behaviors are considered risky, and can lead adolescents to have an unwanted pregnancy or getting a sexually transmitted disease. National and international studies identified factors that may influence the development of these behaviors in sexual initiation and management of contraception. The age and education can act as protective factors related to delay of first sexual intercourse. Gender have a strong influence, especially in the management of contraception along with parental support. These factors can influence the choice of contraceptive method used in subsequent sex initiation. Observed few national studies with a focus on relationships between parental support and sexual risk behaviors in adolescents. To address the proposed objectives, this dissertation presents itself divided into two articles. In the first study, a systematic review of literature on sexual risk behavior from national studies were conducted. In the second study, we investigate possible relationships between parental support and sexual risk behaviors and other factors that could be exerting influence these behaviors, in adolescents in public schools. Participated in this study 508 students from elementary and secondary education in public schools in a city in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul. We used to collect data the Brazilian Questionare Phase II which investigating risk and protective factors in adolescents. The adolescents have their first sexual intercourse at about fourteen years old, with a steady partner. During the management of contraception it was found a decrease in the consistent use of condoms during sexual intercourse, particularly by girls who start using the pill as a contraceptive method. These data call attention to the fact that adolescents are preventing themselves from pregnancy and not STDs. / A vivência da sexualidade durante a adolescência é considerada um aspecto normativo da adolescência marcado pela influência de aspectos biológicos, familiares e culturais que vão constituir a identidade sexual e o padrão de comportamento sexual do adolescente. Entretanto muitos adolescentes podem não possuir conhecimentos adequados e habilidades para a implementação de um comportamento sexual seguro podendo levá-los a engajar-se em comportamentos sexuais que gerem risco à sua saúde. Esses comportamentos, considerados de risco, podem levar o adolescente a ter uma gravidez indesejada ou a adquirir uma doença sexualmente transmissível. Estudos nacionais e internacionais têm procurado identificar fatores que podem influenciar desenvolvimento desses comportamentos na iniciação sexual e na gestão da contracepção. A idade, a escolaridade e a religião podem atuar como fatores protetivos relacionados ao adiamento da primeira relação sexual. Aspectos relacionados ao gênero podem exercer forte influência, principalmente na gestão da contracepção nos relacionamentos sexuais posteriores a iniciação sexual, juntamente com o apoio parental. Observa-se poucos estudos nacionais com o foco nas relações entre o apoio parental e os comportamentos sexuais de risco em adolescentes. Para contemplar os objetivos propostos, a presente dissertação apresenta-se dividida em dois artigos. No primeiro estudo, foi realizada uma revisão sistemática de literatura sobre comportamento sexual de risco a partir de estudos nacionais. No segundo estudo, procurou-se investigar em adolescentes de escolas públicas, possíveis relações entre o apoio parental e comportamentos sexual de risco e outros fatores que pudesse estar exercendo influencia nesses comportamentos. Participaram dessa pesquisa 508 estudantes do ensino fundamental e médio de escolas públicas de um município da região centro do Rio Grande do Sul. Para a coleta dos dados utilizou-se o Questionário Juventude Brasileira Versão Fase II que investiga fatores de risco e proteção em adolescentes. Os adolescentes têm sua primeira relação sexual por volta dos quatorze anos de idade, com parceiros fixos. Durante a gestão da contracepção constatou-se uma diminuição do uso do preservativo nas relações sexuais, principalmente pelas meninas que passam a utilizar a pílula anticoncepcional como método contraceptivo. Esses dados alertam para o fato de que os adolescentes estão prevenindo-se de uma gravidez e não das doenças sexualmente transmissíveis.

Magister Scientiae - MSc / This thesis looks at the effect that the introduction of various techniques (weighting, bootstrapping and variable selection) has on the accuracy of the modelling process when using logistic regression. The data used in the modelling process is based on the sexual activity of entering first-year students at the University of the Western Cape, therefore, by constructing logistic regression models based on this data, certain predictor variables or factors associated with the sexual activity of these students are identified. The sample weighting technique utilized in this thesis assigned a weight to a student based on gender and racial representations within a sample when compared to the population of the entering first-year. The use of a sample weighting technique is shown to produce a more effective modelling process than a modelling process without weighting. The bootstrapping procedure is shown to produce logistic regression models that are more accurate. Utilizing more than 200 bootstrap samples did not necessarily produce logistic regression models that were more accurate than using a total of 200 bootstrap samples. It is, however, concluded that a weighted bootstrap modelling procedure will result in more accurate models compared to a procedure without this intervention. The forward, backward, stepwise, Newton-Raphson and Fisher variable selection methods are used. The Newton-Raphson and Fisher methods are found not to be effective when used in a logistic modelling process, whereas the forward, backward and stepwise methods are all shown to produce very similar results. Six predictor variables or factors are identified with respect to the sexual activity of the specified students: the age of the student; whether they consume alcohol or not; their racial grouping; whether an HIV test has been taken; the importance of religion in influencing their sexual behaviour; and whether they smoke or not.i i Conclusions are reached with respect to improvements that could be made to the HIV prevention programme at UWC with reference to the sexual activity of entering first-years.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar a relação entre comportamentos sexuais de risco e religiosidade entre jovens brasileiros de nível socioeconômico baixo. A pesquisa foi dividida em dois estudos: transversal (em São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife e Campo Grande) e longitudinal (em Porto Alegre). Participaram 4078 jovens com idades entre 14 e 24 anos, 46,5% masculino e 53,5% feminino, vivendo em situação de pobreza. Foi utilizado um instrumento auto-aplicável e confidencial de 109 questões. Os dados foram coletados em escolas e ONGs de forma coletiva. Foram desenvolvidas duas escalas, uma medindo religiosidade e outra comportamento de risco sexual (um indice composto por idade da primeira relação sexual, uso de camisinha, uso de métodos contraceptivos, abuso sexual e gravidez). A média de idade dos jovens participantes foi de 16,14 anos (SD=1,83) e não foi encontrada diferença entre moças e rapazes. Os resultados indicam que 97,2% são heterossexuais e 46,8% já tiveram a primeira relação sexual. A média de idade para o debute sexual foi de 14,24 anos (SD=0,60). A média do escore de comportamento de risco sexual foi de 0,60 (SD 0,60) com diferença significativa entre moças e rapazes (t=8,99; p<0,001), com média mais elevada para as moças (0,68 e 0,51). Em termos de religiosidade, a maioria se auto-declarou como católicos (40,8%), seguidos por aqueles que não têm uma religião (24,5%) e protestantes (20,5%). Houve uma diferença significativa para o nível de religiosidade (t=11,47; p<0,001) entre moças e rapazes, a média do índice de religiosidade para eles foi de -0,21 (SD=1,03) e para elas foi de 0,19 (SD=0,94). A amostra foi dividida em três grupos de religiosidade: alta, média e baixa religiosidade. O grupo com alta religiosidade teve o maior indice de comportamento sexual de risco (F=7,82; p<0,001). De seis indicadores de risco sexual, somente a relação sexual foi associada ao nível de religiosidade (participantes mais religiosos tenderam a atrasar a idade da primeira relação sexual). Dados longitudinais revelaram que a experiência sexual tende a diminuir o nível de religiosidade. Os resultados sugerem que, embora a religiosidade seja um fator de proteção atrasando a primeira relação sexual, esta não se mantem como um fator de proteção significativo após o debute sexual. / The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between sexual risk taking behavior and religiosity among poor youth in Brazil. The research was divided into two studies: cross-sectional (in the cities of São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife and Campo Grande) and longitudinal (in Porto Alegre). The research was conducted with 4078 young people, ages 14-24, 46.5 % males and 53.5% females, living in poor social conditions. Data were collected using a confidential self-administered questionnaire with 109 questions. Data collection was conducted in groups at schools and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Two scales were developed from the data, the first measuring religiosity and the second measuring sexual risk taking behavior (a composite of age of first sexual intercourse, condom use, contraception method, sexual abuse and pregnancy). The mean age was 16.14 years old (SD 1.83) and there is no age difference between males and females. Results indicate that 97.2% were heterosexual and 46,8% have had their first sexual intercourse. The mean age for the sexual debut was 14.24 years old (SD 1.93). The mean score of sexual risk taking behavior was 0.60 (SD 0.60) for the overall sample. A significant difference was found between males and females (t=8.99; p<0,001), showing that the girls have higher scores than the boys (0.68 and 0.51). Concerning religiosity, the majority was catholic (40.8%), followed by people who do not have a religion (24.5%) and protestants (20.5%). There was a significant gender difference for religiosity (t=11.47; p<0.001), the mean for males was -0.21 (SD 1.03) and for females was 0.19 (SD 0.94). The sample was divided into three groups of religiosity: high, medium or low religiosity. The high religiosity group has the highest level of sexual risk taking behavior (F=7.82; p<0.001). Of the six risk-taking indicators, only sexual debut was associated with religiosity (respondents who were more religious tended to delay sexual intercourse). Longitudinal data showed that experiencing sexual intercourse decrease religiosity levels. The findings suggest that, although religiosity plays a protective role delaying sexual debut, this is not a predictive variable for sexual risk taking behavior among poor young people in Brazil, once they are not abstinent.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar a relação entre comportamentos sexuais de risco e religiosidade entre jovens brasileiros de nível socioeconômico baixo. A pesquisa foi dividida em dois estudos: transversal (em São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife e Campo Grande) e longitudinal (em Porto Alegre). Participaram 4078 jovens com idades entre 14 e 24 anos, 46,5% masculino e 53,5% feminino, vivendo em situação de pobreza. Foi utilizado um instrumento auto-aplicável e confidencial de 109 questões. Os dados foram coletados em escolas e ONGs de forma coletiva. Foram desenvolvidas duas escalas, uma medindo religiosidade e outra comportamento de risco sexual (um indice composto por idade da primeira relação sexual, uso de camisinha, uso de métodos contraceptivos, abuso sexual e gravidez). A média de idade dos jovens participantes foi de 16,14 anos (SD=1,83) e não foi encontrada diferença entre moças e rapazes. Os resultados indicam que 97,2% são heterossexuais e 46,8% já tiveram a primeira relação sexual. A média de idade para o debute sexual foi de 14,24 anos (SD=0,60). A média do escore de comportamento de risco sexual foi de 0,60 (SD 0,60) com diferença significativa entre moças e rapazes (t=8,99; p<0,001), com média mais elevada para as moças (0,68 e 0,51). Em termos de religiosidade, a maioria se auto-declarou como católicos (40,8%), seguidos por aqueles que não têm uma religião (24,5%) e protestantes (20,5%). Houve uma diferença significativa para o nível de religiosidade (t=11,47; p<0,001) entre moças e rapazes, a média do índice de religiosidade para eles foi de -0,21 (SD=1,03) e para elas foi de 0,19 (SD=0,94). A amostra foi dividida em três grupos de religiosidade: alta, média e baixa religiosidade. O grupo com alta religiosidade teve o maior indice de comportamento sexual de risco (F=7,82; p<0,001). De seis indicadores de risco sexual, somente a relação sexual foi associada ao nível de religiosidade (participantes mais religiosos tenderam a atrasar a idade da primeira relação sexual). Dados longitudinais revelaram que a experiência sexual tende a diminuir o nível de religiosidade. Os resultados sugerem que, embora a religiosidade seja um fator de proteção atrasando a primeira relação sexual, esta não se mantem como um fator de proteção significativo após o debute sexual. / The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between sexual risk taking behavior and religiosity among poor youth in Brazil. The research was divided into two studies: cross-sectional (in the cities of São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife and Campo Grande) and longitudinal (in Porto Alegre). The research was conducted with 4078 young people, ages 14-24, 46.5 % males and 53.5% females, living in poor social conditions. Data were collected using a confidential self-administered questionnaire with 109 questions. Data collection was conducted in groups at schools and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Two scales were developed from the data, the first measuring religiosity and the second measuring sexual risk taking behavior (a composite of age of first sexual intercourse, condom use, contraception method, sexual abuse and pregnancy). The mean age was 16.14 years old (SD 1.83) and there is no age difference between males and females. Results indicate that 97.2% were heterosexual and 46,8% have had their first sexual intercourse. The mean age for the sexual debut was 14.24 years old (SD 1.93). The mean score of sexual risk taking behavior was 0.60 (SD 0.60) for the overall sample. A significant difference was found between males and females (t=8.99; p<0,001), showing that the girls have higher scores than the boys (0.68 and 0.51). Concerning religiosity, the majority was catholic (40.8%), followed by people who do not have a religion (24.5%) and protestants (20.5%). There was a significant gender difference for religiosity (t=11.47; p<0.001), the mean for males was -0.21 (SD 1.03) and for females was 0.19 (SD 0.94). The sample was divided into three groups of religiosity: high, medium or low religiosity. The high religiosity group has the highest level of sexual risk taking behavior (F=7.82; p<0.001). Of the six risk-taking indicators, only sexual debut was associated with religiosity (respondents who were more religious tended to delay sexual intercourse). Longitudinal data showed that experiencing sexual intercourse decrease religiosity levels. The findings suggest that, although religiosity plays a protective role delaying sexual debut, this is not a predictive variable for sexual risk taking behavior among poor young people in Brazil, once they are not abstinent.

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar a relação entre comportamentos sexuais de risco e religiosidade entre jovens brasileiros de nível socioeconômico baixo. A pesquisa foi dividida em dois estudos: transversal (em São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife e Campo Grande) e longitudinal (em Porto Alegre). Participaram 4078 jovens com idades entre 14 e 24 anos, 46,5% masculino e 53,5% feminino, vivendo em situação de pobreza. Foi utilizado um instrumento auto-aplicável e confidencial de 109 questões. Os dados foram coletados em escolas e ONGs de forma coletiva. Foram desenvolvidas duas escalas, uma medindo religiosidade e outra comportamento de risco sexual (um indice composto por idade da primeira relação sexual, uso de camisinha, uso de métodos contraceptivos, abuso sexual e gravidez). A média de idade dos jovens participantes foi de 16,14 anos (SD=1,83) e não foi encontrada diferença entre moças e rapazes. Os resultados indicam que 97,2% são heterossexuais e 46,8% já tiveram a primeira relação sexual. A média de idade para o debute sexual foi de 14,24 anos (SD=0,60). A média do escore de comportamento de risco sexual foi de 0,60 (SD 0,60) com diferença significativa entre moças e rapazes (t=8,99; p<0,001), com média mais elevada para as moças (0,68 e 0,51). Em termos de religiosidade, a maioria se auto-declarou como católicos (40,8%), seguidos por aqueles que não têm uma religião (24,5%) e protestantes (20,5%). Houve uma diferença significativa para o nível de religiosidade (t=11,47; p<0,001) entre moças e rapazes, a média do índice de religiosidade para eles foi de -0,21 (SD=1,03) e para elas foi de 0,19 (SD=0,94). A amostra foi dividida em três grupos de religiosidade: alta, média e baixa religiosidade. O grupo com alta religiosidade teve o maior indice de comportamento sexual de risco (F=7,82; p<0,001). De seis indicadores de risco sexual, somente a relação sexual foi associada ao nível de religiosidade (participantes mais religiosos tenderam a atrasar a idade da primeira relação sexual). Dados longitudinais revelaram que a experiência sexual tende a diminuir o nível de religiosidade. Os resultados sugerem que, embora a religiosidade seja um fator de proteção atrasando a primeira relação sexual, esta não se mantem como um fator de proteção significativo após o debute sexual. / The aim of this research was to investigate the relationship between sexual risk taking behavior and religiosity among poor youth in Brazil. The research was divided into two studies: cross-sectional (in the cities of São Paulo, Porto Alegre, Recife and Campo Grande) and longitudinal (in Porto Alegre). The research was conducted with 4078 young people, ages 14-24, 46.5 % males and 53.5% females, living in poor social conditions. Data were collected using a confidential self-administered questionnaire with 109 questions. Data collection was conducted in groups at schools and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Two scales were developed from the data, the first measuring religiosity and the second measuring sexual risk taking behavior (a composite of age of first sexual intercourse, condom use, contraception method, sexual abuse and pregnancy). The mean age was 16.14 years old (SD 1.83) and there is no age difference between males and females. Results indicate that 97.2% were heterosexual and 46,8% have had their first sexual intercourse. The mean age for the sexual debut was 14.24 years old (SD 1.93). The mean score of sexual risk taking behavior was 0.60 (SD 0.60) for the overall sample. A significant difference was found between males and females (t=8.99; p<0,001), showing that the girls have higher scores than the boys (0.68 and 0.51). Concerning religiosity, the majority was catholic (40.8%), followed by people who do not have a religion (24.5%) and protestants (20.5%). There was a significant gender difference for religiosity (t=11.47; p<0.001), the mean for males was -0.21 (SD 1.03) and for females was 0.19 (SD 0.94). The sample was divided into three groups of religiosity: high, medium or low religiosity. The high religiosity group has the highest level of sexual risk taking behavior (F=7.82; p<0.001). Of the six risk-taking indicators, only sexual debut was associated with religiosity (respondents who were more religious tended to delay sexual intercourse). Longitudinal data showed that experiencing sexual intercourse decrease religiosity levels. The findings suggest that, although religiosity plays a protective role delaying sexual debut, this is not a predictive variable for sexual risk taking behavior among poor young people in Brazil, once they are not abstinent.

Risky sexual practices can lead to concerning public health issues, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy. Coercive or deceptive behaviors by one’s partner to engage in risky practices may be one factor contributing to sexual risk. This study examined experiences of sexual risk coercion and deception, including partner sexual infidelity, coerced condom nonuse, and fear of negative partner reaction to condom request, as predictors of engagement in sexual risk behaviors, including condom use, safer sex communication, and lifetime number of sexual partners. Self-esteem was examined as a moderator. College students (N = 216) were recruited through the ETSU Sona System to complete self-report surveys via the REDCap survey platform. Using SPSS, linear regression analyses and PROCESS moderation analyses were performed. In analyses of covariance, gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation made no significant contributions to the models. Partner sexual infidelity significantly predicted lifetime number of sexual partners (F(1, 210) = 11.042, p = .001, β = 3.088, SE = .929), R2 = .050. Self-esteem was found to be a significant moderator of this relationship (F(1, 197) = 8.759, p = .0035). Fear of negative partner reaction to condom request significantly predicted lifetime number of sexual partners (F(1, 213) = 4.930, p = .027, β = 2.609, SE = 1.175), R2 = .023. Future research should continue to examine the psychosocial determinants of sexual behaviors, as increased understanding will inform more effective sexual risk intervention to reduce HIV, other STIs, and unplanned pregnancy among college populations.

This study examined differences in sexual risk behaviors by gender and over time among 1281 patients (777 males and 504 females) from 12 community-based substance use disorder treatment programs throughout the United States participating in CTN-0032, a randomized control trial conducted within the National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network. Zero-inflated negative binomial and negative binomial models were used in the statistical analysis. Results indicated significant reductions in most types of sexual risk behaviors among substance users regardless of the intervention arms. There were also significant gender differences in sexual risk behaviors. Men (compared with women) reported more condomless sex acts with their non-primary partners (IRR = 1.80, 95 % CI 1.21–2.69) and condomless anal sex acts (IRR = 1.74, 95 % CI 1.11–2.72), but fewer condomless sex partners (IRR = 0.87, 95 % CI 0.77–0.99), condomless vaginal sex acts (IRR = 0.83, 95 % CI 0.69–1.00), and condomless sex acts within 2 h of using drugs or alcohol (IRR = 0.70, 95 % CI 0.53–0.90). Gender-specific intervention approaches are called for in substance use disorder treatment.

No description available.

This thesis investigates the underlying factors behind sexual risk-taking and non-risk-taking behavior with regard to Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) among adolescents in Lusaka, Zambia. The Qualitative Approach was used for data collection and analysis and using the theory of Social Construction, the author explains how different contexts and aspects in the Zambian Society, that is Traditional, Socio-economic, Political, etc., influence the sexuality or sexual behavior of young people in Zambia. Hermeneutics was used to interpret the meanings in the texts/transcripts acquired through data collection and from the author’s knowledge and understanding of the Zambian historical and cultural contexts within which the participants of the research were constructed. Max Weber’s Ideal Type concept was also used to explain that each young individual’s sexual behavior is uniquely constructed by societal aspects. It explains how that the discourses of these different aspects of society impact on young people individually causing them to be either Sexually Risk-taking or Non Sexually Risk-taking. Either tendency depends on whether the societal aspect that has most the dominating influence on a given individual's life is a Power factor (causing them to rationally think their way into Non Sexually Risk-taking behavior) or a Risk factor(causing them to rationally think their way into Sexually Risk-taking behavior). The author of this thesis introduces a new Model for Social Construction of Adolescent Sexuality with regard to Risk-taking. She uses it to explain how it is either power factors or risk factors that can have a greater impact on an individual's thinking, causing them to have either sexual risk-taking or non-sexual risk-taking behavior. The author concludes that the extent to which unsafe sex among the Zambian adolescents constitutes a product of interacting and/or main discourses in relation to mainly Traditional aspect risk factors, varies from person to person depending on the strength of given risk factors over any power factors that may be at play in an individual's life.

No description available.