Changes in Intimacy and Sexuality During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Analysis of Data from a Survey on Partnered Individuals in Eight European Countries.

This qualitative study explores experiences of intimacy and sexuality during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic of 3357 participants from Croatia, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, and Turkey. Data were collected through open-ended questions within a survey on sexuality during the pandemic. Based on a reflexive thematic analysis three themes occurred. The first theme No change was described by 41% when summarizing their sex life during the pandemic. The second theme Positive change was experienced by 25%, and the third theme Negative change by 21%. An overarching theme then emerged as: "Still the same trajectories, but the pandemic could be a catalyst for improved or worsened sex- life." For those intimate partnered individuals who already had problems with intimacy and sexuality before the COVID-19 pandemic it seemed to remain the same or deteriorated throughout the pandemic. For those with positive experiences of intimacy and sexuality before the COVID-19 pandemic it remained the same or improved throughout the pandemic. These findings are relevant for researchers and clinicians in developing preventive and supportive interventions in the context of crisis and social isolation.

Perceived Changes in Sexual Interest and Distress About Discrepant Sexual Interest During the First Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multi-Country Assessment in Cohabiting Partnered Individuals.

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, different restrictive measures in terms of physical distancing and lockdowns have been introduced in most European countries, affecting all facets of social life. Currently, little is known about how partnered individuals perceive changes in their sexual life during this complex emergency. This study explored retrospectively assessed changes in sexual interest for one's partner and levels of distress related to perceived sexual interest discrepancy during the first phase of the pandemic in a large-scale online sample of partnered individuals (n = 4813; Mage = 38.5 years, SD = 10.74) recruited between May and July 2020 in seven European Union countries and Turkey. We also examined the possible role of approach/avoidance motives for sex in reported changes in sexual interest and associated distress. Most participants (53%) reported no change in their sexual interest during the pandemic, followed by those who reported an increase (28.5%). The pattern was similar across the eight countries. Distress about discrepant sexual interest, which was only weakly related to changes in sexual interest, was significantly associated with relationship quality and emotional closeness with a partner, coping with and worrying about the pandemic, and specific motivation for sex. In contrast to avoidant and relationship-focused approach motivation, ego-focused approach motivation was related to stable sexual interest during the pandemic. The current study contributes to the understanding of the link between sexual interest and complex emergencies. Considering that the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the reported experiences and perceptions are prone to change.

Prospective study on a fast-track training in psychiatry for medical students: the psychiatric hat game.

BACKGROUND: While medical students are losing interest in lectures in favor of other educational materials, many studies suggest the benefit of active learning, combined with gamified educational tools. The authors developed a psychiatric adaptation of the « Hat Game ¼. It was hypothesised that this game would increase both knowledge and motivation in medical students toward psychiatric semiology. The aim of the study was to assess the benefit of a Psychiatric Hat Game session for learning psychiatric symptoms in third-year medical students. Student performance was also evaluated at 3 months. METHODS: This gamified fast-track training consists of two teams and each team has to guess as many psychiatric semiology terms as possible using different techniques (i.e. speech, mime). The study involved a pre- and post-evaluation of knowledge (Multiple Choice Questions) and a satisfaction survey. Baseline, post-immediate, and three-months scores were compared by using Friedman analysis for paired samples. Comparisons of mean scores at two different times were performed by using Wilcoxon test for paired samples. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-six students were proposed to take part in the study. Among them 129 completed the whole program (response rate = 77.7%). Mean scores measured at the three points in time were significantly different (p < 0.001, N = 129). Knowledge mean scores were significantly higher after the game than before (+ 28.6%, p < 0.001). Improvement was maintained 3 months after the game (+ 18.9%, p < 0.001). Satisfaction survey items highlighted that students enjoyed and would recommend this type of gamified training. CONCLUSIONS: The Psychiatric Hat Game improved knowledge of psychiatric semiology in medical students. Results suggest that it is a promising and efficient tool to playfully teach medical semiology, with transferable features, utility and acceptability from one medical field to another. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge advocating for serious games and gamified training in medical education.

Sexual risk factors related to lack of HIV-screening in people attending erotic industry shows.

The current aim of the fight against the HIV epidemic is to reduce the proportion of missed opportunities for HIV diagnosis. Erotic industry Shows (ES) were deemed to be appropriate events to organize awareness campaigns and to propose HIV Rapid Diagnostic Test (HIV-RDT) to people who are sexually active and likely to engage in unsafe sex practices. In 2015, a cross-sectional study in 4 ES was conducted to document the sexual risk factors associated with HIV-screening test approach and the proportion of positive HIV-RDT. Prevention booths were set up to offer HIV-screening to individuals ≥18 years volunteers for HIV-RDT and to respond to a validated anonymous self-reported questionnaire. In 4 ES, 943 participants were questioned and tested, mainly men (64%), young (mean age 30 years old), living as a couple (63.7%). A large majority (95.1%) reported sexual intercourse over the last year. The mean number of partners was 4.8. About 2/3 had unprotected sex. 37.5% had never been tested and had their first test during this campaign. The 430 participants who reported no previous HIV-testing during the last 5 years more frequently declared heterosexual intercourse (OR: 2.31), identifying as a male (OR: 1.82), having transactional sex (OR: 1.92), living as a couple (OR: 1.67), having fewer sexual partners (OR: 1.06) and being younger (OR = 1.02). Three people (0.32%) were tested positive for the HIV-RDT; linkage with care was ensured for confirmatory test. This innovative and original intervention showed for the first time the usefulness of HIV-screening and awareness campaigns, in fun and commercial backdrop event. Individuals who had never been HIV-tested and who had no intention of doing so before this campaign were reached and engaged. ES are potential new locations to get HIV information and screening, to tackle sexual health-related issues and reflect on sexual risk behaviors.

Behaviour change techniques in brief interventions to prevent HIV, STI and unintended pregnancies: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Behaviour-change interventions have been consistently considered an essential part of comprehensive HIV, STI and unintended pregnancy prevention. In 2015, the World Health Organization reviewed and assessed existing evidence on brief behavioural interventions, leading to the publication of Brief sexuality-related communication: recommendations for a public health approach. This guideline recommends the use of brief behaviour intervention and communication programmes to promote sexual health and to prevent HIV, STIs, and unintended pregnancies in primary health services, particularly sexual and reproductive health services. OBJECTIVE: With the purpose of informing the development of a brief behaviour intervention in sexual and reproductive health, we conducted a systematic review of brief intervention to prevent HIV, STI and unintended pregnancies, to identify behaviour change techniques (BCTs) used in health care settings. METHODS: Participants from all ages and genders were included. Brief interventions delivered in ≤ 60 minutes were included. Data was extracted, and interventions were coded following the Behaviour Change Techniques Taxonomy (BCTTv1) guidelines. RESULTS: Of the 6.687 articles identified, 355 were reviewed and 37 studies were included. In effective interventions, we identified 48 behaviour change techniques (BCTs). A core set of 8 frequently used behaviour change techniques was identified: "Problem solving", "Feedback on behaviour", "Social support (unspecified)", "Instructions on how to perform the behaviour", "Information about health consequences", "Information about social and environmental consequences", "Demonstration of the behaviour" and "Credible source". CONCLUSIONS: The technical content of brief behaviour interventions was identified in a reliable and standardized way providing preliminary indications on potentially effective techniques to achieve behaviour change.