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PubMed1995

Temporal trends in human immunodeficiency virus seroprevalence and sexual behavior at the San Francisco municipal sexually transmitted disease clinic, 1989-1992.

The authors analyzed temporal trends in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among men and women who visited the San Francisco municipal sexually transmitted disease clinic between 1989 and 1992, using blinded HIV seroprevalence data. Temporal changes in sexual behavior were evaluated by abstracting self-reported information on sexual behaviors from a random sample of charts of men who visited the clinic between 1990 and 1992. From 1989 to 1992, HIV seropositivity declined from 2.0% to 1.0% among women (p = 0.06) and from 18.9% to 12.0% (p < 0.001) among men. The percentage of patients who reported having anal intercourse in the previous year did not change significantly during the study period. The percentage of male patients who reported having vaginal intercourse during the previous year decreased from 82.9% to 78.6% (p < 0.05), and the percentage of male patients who reported engaging in receptive oral sex during the previous year increased from 24.0% to 41.6% (p < 0.001). The percentage of male patients who reported that they always used condoms increased from 31.8% to 49.2% for anal sex, from 8.7% to 19.5% for vaginal sex, and from 1.4% to 6.3% for oral sex (p < 0.05). Among patients visiting the sexually transmitted disease clinic, there was a steady and significant decline in HIV seroprevalence. The decline in HIV seroprevalence was accompanied by a significant trend toward safer sexual practices. However, by the end of the study period, less than half of the patients reported using condoms all of the time, which suggests that there is a need to expand behavioral interventions to focus on high-risk persons.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Testosterone is more effective than dihydrotestosterone plus estradiol in activating sexual behavior in old male rats.

Sexual behavior declines in old male rats, and testosterone therapy does not restore the behavior to levels found in young males. If as a result of aging, old males have less capacity to aromatize or reduce testosterone, dihydrotestosterone plus estradiol treatment should be more effective than testosterone treatment in restoring sexual behavior in old castrated males. In a test of this hypothesis, the sexual behavior of old (24 months) castrated Fischer 344 males given injections of testosterone propionate (TP) or dihydrotestosterone propionate (DHTP) plus estradiol benzoate (EB) and that of old sham-operated males given injections of vehicle were observed. The DHTP/EB proved to be less effective overall than the TP in increasing sexual behavior in old castrated males. In a second experiment, young (3 months) and old (30 months) males were tested to verify that the reduced effectiveness of DHTP/EB treatment was age-related. Testosterone propionate and DHTP/EB were equally effective in restoring most measures of sexual behavior in young castrated males. In old castrated males, DHTP/EB treatment was no more or less effective than TP treatment in increasing these same measures. Neither hormone increased the behavior of old males to the level found in young males. Since DHTP/EB treatment is less effective than TP treatment in stimulating sexual behavior in old males, a reduced capacity to aromatize or reduce testosterone is not a likely explanation for decreased responsiveness to testosterone in old male rats.

Aging↗

PubMed1998

Private sexual behavior, public opinion, and public health policy related to sexually transmitted diseases: a US-British comparison.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to characterize sexual behavior and opinions about sex in the United States and Britain; implications are discussed for effective public health policy regarding sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States. METHODS: Large-scale national probability surveys conducted in the 2 countries detailed sexual behavior, opinions, and the prevalence of STDs. RESULTS: In comparison with that of Britain, the US population has greater variability in sexual behavior, less tolerant opinions about sexual behavior, and a higher STD prevalence and lower condom usage among men. CONCLUSIONS: The survey data show compelling evidence from both countries of a strong association between number of sex partners and STD risk. In the United States relative to Britain, there is both greater dispersion in sexual behavior and a greater incidence of unconditional opposition to certain sexual practices. The former implies a need for strong public health policy to address the risks of STDs, but the latter implies strong opposition to that policy. This disjuncture between public health need and feasibility may contribute to the high US rate of STDs.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

Trauma symptoms, sexual behaviors, and substance abuse: correlates of childhood sexual abuse and HIV risks among men who have sex with men.

Childhood sexual abuse is associated with high-risk sexual behavior in men who have sex with men. This study examined psychological and behavioral correlates of HIV risk behavior associated with childhood sexual abuse in a sample of men who have sex with men. Men attending a large gay pride event (N = 647) completed anonymous surveys that assessed demographic characteristics, childhood sexual abuse history, symptoms of dissociation and trauma-related anxiety, borderline personality characteristics, substance use, and sexual risk behavior. Results indicated that men who have a history of childhood sexual abuse were more likely to: engage in high-risk sexual behavior (i.e., unprotected receptive anal intercourse), trade sex for money or drugs, report being HIV positive, and experience non-sexual relationship violence. Results of this study extend previous research to show that men who have sex with men and who have a history of child sexual abuse are more likely to be at high risk for HIV infection.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Sexual behavior, knowledge and attitudes to AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases of students at the University of Benin (Togo)].

Many studies have shown that in Africa, particularly in Togo, the 20- to 29-year-old age group is the age group most frequently affected by AIDS. This age group accounts for 84% of the students of the University of Benin. We studied students, most of the age group thought to be most at risk, investigating sexual behavior, knowledge and attitudes to AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The level of knowledge about the problems of AIDS and STDs was similar for both sexes and for all ages and levels of education of the students. Students had a reasonable knowledge of AIDS, particularly concerning the transmission of HIV (88.6% of students aware), risk behavior (80.8%), AIDS treatment (57.0%) and more general information about HIV (49.4%). They were poorly informed about the transmission (42.9%) and complications (0.69%) of other STDs. Most students had positive attitudes towards HIV issues, particularly the use of preventive measures (3.41 in 5) and the acceptance of infected individuals (3.98 in 5). However, few had seriously considered that AIDS and STDs might impact on their own sex lives (1. 84 in 5) and some were even fatalistic concerning HIV infection. The students were highly sexually active, having intercourse a mean of 31 times per year. Their sexual behavior depended on age and sex. The 15- to 19-year-olds preferred occasional partners. They had sexual intercourse 1 to 3 times per month and used condoms 10 to 20% of the time. The 20- to 29-year-olds had multiple partners. They had sexual intercourse 3 to 5 times per month and used condoms more than 30% of the time. Students over the age of 30 had many partners in addition to their regular partner. They had sexual intercourse 5 to 10 times per month and used condoms 0 to 20% of the time. Significantly more women than men had high-risk sexual behavior (40. 5% of men claimed to regularly use condoms, versus only 22.7% of the women and 11.9% of the women accepted anal penetration versus only 8. 4% of men). The general assumption is that students, who have a high level of education, should be well informed concerning AIDS and STDs and should therefore have positive attitudes and responsible sexual behavior. This study demonstrates that the assumption bears no resemblance to reality. The students were aware of the way in which HIV is transmitted and of what construes risky behavior, but there was nonetheless a high frequency of high-risk behavior (e.g. multiple sexual partners, anal and oral sex, homosexuality, intravenous drug use). The behavior of the students was not significantly different from that of young people living on the streets of Lomé. There were significant relationships between knowledge and attitudes and between some types of sexual behavior and knowledge. However, there was no correlation between attitudes and behavior. The education of young people should focus on both the prevention of AIDS and STDs and on facing up to these diseases.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1984

Effect of lesion location within the medial preoptic-anterior hypothalamic continuum on maternal and male sexual behaviors in female rats.

Lesions of the medial preoptic-anterior hypothalamic continuum (MPOA-AH) are known to disrupt both maternal behavior and male sexual behavior in the rat. In order to test the hypothesis that the two behaviors involve different neural systems in the MPOA-AH, small bilateral lesions were made in different anterior-posterior locations in the MPOA-AH of maternal-sensitized, testosterone-treated female rats, and the effects of these lesions on maternal and male sexual behaviors were assessed. Lesions centering in the MPOA disrupted maternal behavior (pup retrieval, nest building, and nursing), with anterior MPOA lesions being more effective (on pup retrieval and nest building) than posterior MPOA lesions. Lesions centering in the AH had little or no effect on maternal behavior. By contrast, male sexual behavior (mounting) was strongly disrupted by lesions in either the MPOA or the AH, with lesions in the rostral AH being most effective.

Animals↗

PubMed1993

Social contagion and adolescent sexual behavior: a developmental EMOSA model.

Epidemic Models of the Onset of Social Activities (EMOSA models) describe the spread of adolescent transition behaviors (e.g., sexuality, smoking, and drinking) through an interacting adolescent network. A theory of social contagion is defined to explain how social influence affects sexual development. Contacts within a network can, with some transition rate or probability, result in an increase in level of sexual experience. Five stages of sexual development are posited. One submodel proposes a systematic progression through these stages; a competing submodel treats each as an independent process. These models are represented in sets of dynamically interacting recursive equations, which are fit to empirical prevalence data to estimate parameters. Model adjustments are substantively interpretable and can be used to test for and better understand social interaction processes that affect adolescent sexual behavior.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2007

Prevalence of sexually transmitted infections and high-risk sexual behaviors in heterosexual couples attending sexually transmitted disease clinics in Peru.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of sexually transmitted infection (STIs) in heterosexual couples and the sexual behaviors associated with their acquisition. GOAL: The goal of this study was to better direct educational efforts to decrease STI among heterosexual couples in Lima, Peru. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a case-control study in 195 heterosexual couples without HIV infection who attended 2 sexually transmitted disease clinics in Lima, Peru. A case was defined as an individual with one or more newly diagnosed STIs such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, herpes simplex, syphilis, mycoplasma, or ureaplasma. RESULTS: Thirty-three percent of individuals (41 men and 89 women) had at least one STI and 26 couples (13%) had the same STI detected. Men who have sex with men (MSM) accounted for 13% of all men, had higher rate of STIs and higher risk behaviors than non-MSM. Ureaplasma infection was the most prevalent STI found in both men and women and was associated with oral sexual contact. In heterosexual pairs, condom use during anal sex occurred less than 10% of the time. CONCLUSIONS: The heterosexual couples in sexually transmitted disease clinics have high-risk behaviors and STIs are frequent. The educational effort concerning prevention of STIs requires higher effort.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Demographic characteristics, drug use, and sexual behavior of i.v. drug user with AIDS in Bronx, New York.

Intravenous (i.v.) drug users are a key factor in the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, yet epidemiologic information about this population, especially those with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is scarce. The demographic characteristics, drug use behavior, and sexual practices of i.v. drug users who developed AIDS were prospectively studied at the Montefiore Medical Center from October 1984 to February 1988. The early wave of i.v. drug users with AIDS was characterized by poverty, minority overrepresentation (more than 80 percent were black or Hispanic), and initiation of i.v. drug use at an early age (median age 19 years). Injection of drugs and sharing of needles was frequent. Most had used so-called shooting galleries, but only for a minority of injection episodes. Heroin or cocaine use was almost universal, nearly always accompanied by abuse of another substance, usually alcohol or marijuana. Fewer than a third had ever participated in a methadone maintenance program, but more than 40 percent had been in prison since 1978. All patients had been sexually active, often with partners who were not i.v. drug users. The research suggests a complex interaction existing between high-risk demographic characteristics, drug use practice, and certain types of sexual behavior, all of which contributed to the early spread of HIV infection in this population. Efforts that are directed toward interrupting i.v. drug user-related transmission of HIV need to include consideration of these characteristics.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1997

Gay youth and their precautionary sexual behaviors: the Sydney men and sexual health study.

Many commentators have positioned Western gay youth as a high-risk group for HIV infection and obscured important cultural, social, and contextual differences between populations. This study compares risk of HIV transmission factors among 216 young (under 25 years) and 822 older (25 years or over) homosexually active men, recruited through Sydney gay community and other sources. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of survey data that were collected by personal interviews consistently supported our hypothesis of no difference in HIV-related risk factors between young and older men. Although young men in this cohort were more likely to be of unknown serostatus, they were at least as knowledgeable, as attached to gay community, and as precautionary in their sexual behaviors with regular and casual male partners as their older counterparts. Safety campaigns targeting these young gay men should focus, for example, on their lower rates of HIV antibody testing and not be based on a false premise of hedonistic, uninformed, and disenfranchised youth.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗

PubMed2002

Monoaminergic and cholinergic stimulation of masculine sexual behavior in neonatally demasculinized male rats.

Sexual behavior during adulthood largely depends upon hormonal events that take place around birth. Administration of the antiestrogen Tamoxifen (Tx) to males immediately after birth induces a marked decrease of masculine sexual behavior during adulthood. On the other hand, it is well known that masculine sexual behavior can be stimulated by the administration of drugs acting specifically on the monoaminergic or the cholinergic systems. This study was performed to analyze if masculine sexual behavior can be pharmacologically stimulated in adult male rats neonatally demasculinized by the administration of Tx. Neonatal administration of Tx induced clear impairments of masculine sexual behavior during adulthood. Administration of oxotremorine (OXO), 8-OH-DPAT (8-hydroxy-2(di-n-propylaminotetraline)), yohimbine (YH), and apomorphine (APO), drugs that normally elicit a stimulation of masculine sexual behavior were unable to fully restore it in demasculinized males. Only slight improvements of some behavioral parameters were observed with 8-OH-DPAT and YH. OXO seems to induce a worsening of sexual behavior impairments. Results obtained with APO were not significantly different from saline controls. Data suggest that neonatal treatment with Tx induces permanent impairments of the neural circuitry regulating masculine sexual behavior not only limited to morphological changes but also functional alterations of the neurotransmitter systems.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗

PubMed2003

An NMDA antagonist impairs copulation and the experience-induced enhancement of male sexual behavior in the rat.

Sexual experience facilitates subsequent male sexual behavior; activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor may play a role in this experience-induced enhancement. In this article, the authors report that systemic injections of MK-801, an NMDA receptor antagonist, impaired male sexual behavior in sexually naive and sexually experienced male rats. Furthermore, saline-treated rats that received 7 daily exposures to an inaccessible estrous female instead of sexual experience displayed enhancement of copulation on the following day. Injections of MK-801 before each of these exposures inhibited the experience-induced enhancement on the drug-free test on Day 8. These data suggest that stimulation of NMDA receptors enhances sexual performance immediately and mediates the experience-induced enhancement of subsequent copulatory behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Changes of heart rate during sexual behavior in the female rat.

The authors studied the physiological and behavioral responses during sexual behavior in female rats. For this purpose, electrocardiographs were recoded from conscious and unrestrained females using a radiotelemetry system. Heart rate during sexual behavior rose sharply following the introduction of a sexually active male, displayed a peak level of 425 bpm during male ejaculation, and then rapidly decreased. This pattern of heart rate in females before and after receiving ejaculation was similar to that in males before and after ejaculation. In the rate of decrease in heart rate, however, there was a significant difference between females and males. The present study is the first to show changes of heart rate during sexual behavior in female rats.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

The relationship of unsafe sexual behavior and the characteristics of sexual partners of HIV infected and HIV uninfected adolescent females.

PURPOSE: To compare characteristics of sexual relationships in HIV infected and HIV uninfected female adolescents and their association with condom use. METHODS: HIV infected and uninfected subjects, aged 13-19 years, were enrolled in a prospective HIV study from 15 sites in 13 U.S. cities. Baseline data on demographic information, substance use, sexual behavior, partner information, and condom use were collected through direct and computer-assisted interviews from currently sexually active females. Univariate, multiple logistic regression, and repeated measures analyses were employed. RESULTS: Data from 153 HIV infected and 90 HIV uninfected female subjects showed, on average, that current partners were 4-6 years older. In multivariate analysis, HIV infected subjects were older (OR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.04-1.81), had more lifetime partners (OR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.03-4.82), initiated consensual vaginal sex earlier (OR = .74; 95% CI:.58-.95), perceived partner to also be HIV infected (OR = 7.46; 95% CI: 3.2-17.4), and had less unprotected sex (OR = .27; 95% CI:.16-.45). Length of relationship was associated with more unprotected sex for both HIV infected and uninfected subjects (OR = 2.59, 95% CI: 1.27-5.27, OR = 4.13; 95% CI: 1.31-13.05, respectively). Mean partner age difference was greater among HIV infected than for HIV uninfected (OR = 1.06; 95%CI: 1.01-1.12); this greater age difference for HIV infected females was associated with less protection (OR = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.03-1.15). HIV disclosure influenced condom use: without disclosure, less condom use was reported (OR = 6.8; 95% CI: 2.29-20.24) controlling for perception that partner was also HIV infected (OR = 1.1; 95% CI: 1.02-1.21). CONCLUSIONS: Because age differential influenced reported condom use, more research, particularly qualitative, is needed into the dynamics of these relationships. Prevention efforts must address partners, particularly older ones.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1997

HIV risk behavioral surveillance in Bangkok, Thailand: sexual behavior trends among eight population groups.

OBJECTIVE: To assess trends in HIV risk behaviors over a 3-year period in eight population groups in Bangkok, Thailand. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: Using a repeated cross-sectional survey design with a structured questionnaire, we collected five sets of self-reported sexual behavior data related to HIV risk from the following subject groups at the same sampling sites during 1993-1996: direct and indirect female sex workers, male attenders of sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics, female attenders of antenatal care clinics, male and female vocational students, and male and female factory workers. RESULTS: Reported patronage of commercial sex by the three male groups declined by an overall average of 48% over the 3-year period. Other non-regular sexual partnerships declined among male STD clinic attenders and vocational students. Condom use during most recent sexual intercourse between sex workers and clients peaked at high levels (>90%) in the early data waves, while among indirect sex workers and their clients, consistent condom usage increased from 56% to 89%. Low condom use persisted among sex workers and their non-paying sex partners. Single women reported low levels of sexual activity and condom use with no signs of an increase. Similarly, married women from antenatal clinics reported low condom use with their husbands, with no change throughout the period of the study. CONCLUSIONS: HIV risk behavioral surveillance is a useful way of determining whether behavior change has occurred in specific population groups. The results here confirm and add to a growing set of evidence of risk behavior reduction in Thailand. The behavioral changes did not occur uniformly but varied depending on the sexual dyad and the population group under study. Behavioral surveillance should be promoted and its methodologies strengthened in attempts to understand the local dynamics of HIV epidemics.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2001

Sexual behavior and illicit drug use.

Sexual behavior in drug users varies in association with the drug used, the drug subculture and setting, and the need to maintain the drug addiction. We review the literature on sexual behavior in drug-using subcultures, most of which centers on HIV risk reduction, and the drug-associated and economic pressures that influence sexual behavior. Most data available are on opioid (predominantly heroin) users and crack cocaine users. The recent phenomenon of the circuit party has led to investigation of the context in which drug use and sex have become the focus of large gay-oriented parties over long weekends. Sexual behavior in association with drugs in Western societies is important for its role in the spread of sexually transmissible pathogens, as well as injection-related pathogens.

Condoms↗

PubMed1991

Volunteer bias in a study of male alcoholics' sexual behavior.

Studies on sexual behavior frequently require that subject volunteers engage in intrusive/sensitive assessment procedures. While earlier investigators have found that these demands may result in volunteer bias (volunteers differing from nonvolunteers), these studies were limited to nonclinical samples. The present study involved 182 males admitted to an inpatient alcoholism rehabilitation program. Those patients who volunteered to participate in an intrusive study examining sexual functioning were dissimilar to nonvolunteers. Compared to nonvolunteers, volunteers reported a greater interest in sex, less satisfaction with sex, more concerns about sexual functioning, a greater incidence of premature ejaculation, and a greater incidence of negative sexual experience. Volunteers also had a higher MAST score, used outpatient substance-abuse counseling more often, and more frequently had a diagnosis of cocaine/amphetamine dependence and cannabis dependence. These differences between volunteers and nonvolunteers suggest a need to use caution when generalizing the results of similar studies to the overall population. Procedures that may help to minimize volunteer bias are offered.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Questionnaire survey on sexual behavior of Japanese males infected with sexually transmitted diseases].

In Japan, there has been a rapid increase in recent years in the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), particularly in teenagers and people in their twenties. To determine the factors causing this increase in STD, we carried out a questionnaire survey on the sexual behavior of Japanese males. The subjects were 248 male patients who were treated at our outpatient clinic. The results of the survey showed that 1) about 70% of the male patients were infected through sexual intercourse with partners who were not paid for such services; 2) the average number of partners in the past year was 5.8, and the average number of partners was highest for the teenage group and decreased with age; 3) only 29 (12.4%) of the 234 males used condoms; and 4) 192 (82.0%) of the 234 males received oral sex. The results of the survey suggest that a large "sexual network" has been formed among young Japanese people and that a large percentage of young Japanese people are engaged in unprotected sex.

Adolescent↗