Sexual difficulties and associated factors among patients with psoriasis in Malaysia: data from the Malaysian Psoriasis registry.

The impact of psoriasis on quality of life may have implications for the sexual function of patients. We aimed to determine the frequency of sexual difficulties and associated factors among adult patients with psoriasis. This cross-sectional study involved 13 673 patients notified to the Malaysian Psoriasis Registry. Sexual function was defined based on the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Sexual difficulties were reported among 9.5% of subjects with significant predictors identified as younger age, male gender, married status, ethnicity, nail involvement, face and neck involvement and severity of disease. Smokers were more likely to report experiencing sexual difficulties. However, the presence of either ischemic heart disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension or dyslipidemia was associated with lower odds of sexual issues due to psoriasis. Clinicians should be aware of factors associated with sexual health in psoriasis to implement targeted interventions. Further studies need to be conducted to delineate the different aspects of sexual function and the magnitude of the problem.

[How good is the knowledge about sexually transmitted infections in Germany? : Results of the first nationwide representative German health and sexuality survey (GeSiD)]. / Wie gut ist das Wissen über sexuell übertragbare Infektionen in Deutschland? : Ergebnisse der ersten bundesweiten repräsentativen Befragung zu Gesundheit und Sexualität (GeSiD).

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a relevant risk factor for the sexual health of individuals and the population. Therefore, the level of awareness and knowledge about STIs in different population groups is of particular interest for specific prevention work. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the awareness of and knowledge about nine STIs in the German population. To do so, the study examined correlations with sociodemographic variables, sexuality-related characteristics, and subjective satisfaction with the level of information. METHODS: The GeSiD study "German Health and Sexuality Survey" collected representative quantitative data from 4955 persons via face-to-face interviews on the state of knowledge about STIs. As a selection procedure, a two-step random sample was collected. Firstly, 200 sample points (municipalities) were initially selected proportionally across Germany. Secondly, a random sample of addresses was drawn from the respective residents' registration offices. The participation rate was 30.2%; the average age was 46.3 years. RESULTS: Knowledge about HIV/AIDS was widespread in all age groups, but other STIs were significantly less known. Older people and respondents with a low level of education were particularly poorly informed. Local social disadvantage and a family history of migration were also negatively correlated with knowledge about STIs. A higher number of sexual partners is related to a better level of knowledge. In addition, persons who do not describe their sexual orientation as heterosexual as well as those with a history of STIs were well informed. CONCLUSION: Heterosexual adults in Germany are insufficiently informed about the risks of STIs. Therefore, target-group-specific efforts are needed to improve knowledge about STIs in order to reduce sexual risk behavior and improve the utilization of prevention programs among socially disadvantaged groups.

Sexual Health and Wellbeing through the Life Course: Ensuring Sexual Health, Rights and Pleasure for All.

This commentary summarizes the context and positioning of sexual health, sexual rights and sexual pleasure, as three interlinked and indivisible aspects of sexual health and wellbeing (SH&W). In turn, sexual health is a major domain within broader sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), both in its own right as a human right, and owing to the importance of good sexual health for ensuring good reproductive outcomes. Furthermore, SRHR is a necessary, core part of overall health, thus sexual health and wellbeing is a fundamental aspect of general health that is often overlooked or even denied for some. In this commentary, we utilize a life course approach to illustrate how the tripartite of sexual health, rights and pleasure manifest themselves with different interlocking linkages, and actively contribute to overall health throughout life. As other papers in this series attest, the linkages of pleasure with the right to and attainment of health has received inadequate attention to date, both within the scientific literature and in policy narratives.

Sexualidad, alcohol y sustancias psicoactivas en relación con el embarazo no deseado en universitarios / Sexuality, alcohol, psycoative substances and relation with unwanted pregnancy in university students / Sexualidade, álcool e substancias psicoactivas em relação com a gravindez não desejada em universitarios

Objetivo: determinar la relación entre sexualidad, consumo de alcohol, consumo de sustancias psicoactivas y embarazo no deseado en estudiantes universitarios Métodos: estudio descriptivo de corte transversal con intención analítica. Se aplicó una encuesta sobre salud sexual y reproductiva y bienestar basada en el cuestionario Reig-Ferrer. Las variables cualitativas se analizaron mediante frecuencias y porcentajes y las cuantitativas mediante medidas de tendencia central y dispersión. Se calcularon razones de prevalencia utilizando la prueba chi cuadrado que evaluó relación entre embarazo no deseado y algunas conductas de riesgo. Resultados: participaron 2767 estudiantes con edad promedio de 21 (RIC: 19-23) años. La mediana de edad de inicio las relaciones sexuales fueron de 16 (RIC: 15-18) años. El 56,1% refirió consumir alcohol y el 12,7% sustancias psicoactivas (SPA), con alguna frecuencia. Respecto a las mujeres; el 18,9 % ha estado embarazada, y de éstas, el 61,4% ha tenido un embarazo no deseado. El análisis bivariado mostró relación estadísticamente significativa entre el embarazo no deseado y variables como la edad de inicio de las relaciones sexuales, el consumo de SPA y el mantener o no relaciones sexuales bajo el efecto del alcohol y SPA. Conclusiones: el estudio mostró condiciones que pueden favorecer los problemas relacionados con la salud sexual y reproductiva de jóvenes universitarios. Se pone de manifiesto la necesidad de estudiar algunas conductas de riesgo de manera particular, mediante un abordaje integral que permita posteriormente reorientar las actividades de la promoción de la salud sexual en pro de re-conocer conductas de cuidado y de riesgo.

Objective: To determine the relationship between sexuality, alcohol consumption, psychoactive substance consumption and unwanted pregnancy in university students. Methods: Cross sectional study with analytical intention. A sexual and reproductive health and wellness survey based on the Reig-Ferrer questionnaire was applied. The qualitative variables were analyzed using frequencies and percentages, and the quantitative variables using measures of central tendency and dispersion. Prevalence ratios were calculated using the chi square test that evaluated the relationship between unwanted pregnancy and some risk behaviors. Results: A total of 2767 students with an average age of 21 (RIC: 19-23) years participated. The median age of onset of sexual intercourse was 16 (RIC: 15-18) years. Overall, 56.1% reported consuming alcohol and 12.7% psychoactive substances (PS), with some frequency. Regarding women, 18.9% have been pregnant, and of these, 61.4% have had an unwanted pregnancy. The bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between unwanted pregnancy and variables such as the age of onset of sexual intercourse, the consumption of PS and whether or not to have sexual intercourse under the influence of alcohol and PS. Conclusions: The study showed conditions that can favor the problems related to the sexual and reproductive health of young university students. The need to study some risk behaviors in a particular way through a comprehensive approach that allows reorienting the activities of sexual health promotion in order to re-know care and risk behaviors, is highlighted.

Objetivo: determinar a relação entre sexualidade, consumo de álcool, consumo de substâncias psicoativas e gravidez não desejado em estudantes universitários Métodos: estudo descritivo de corte transversal com intenção analítica. Aplicou-se uma enquete sobre saúde sexual e reprodutiva e bem-estar baseada no questionario Reig-Ferrer. As variáveis qualitativas se analisaram mediante frequências e porcentagens e as quantitativas mediante medidas de tendência central e dispersão. Calcularam-se razões de prevalência utilizando a prova chi quadrado que avaliou relação entre gravidez não desejado e algumas condutas de risco. Resultados: participaram 2767 estudantes com idade média de 21 (RIC: 19-23) anos. A mediana de idade de início as relações sexuais foram de 16 (RIC: 15-18) anos. O 56,1% referiu consumir álcool e o 12,7% substancias psicoativas (SPA), com alguma frequência. Respeito às mulheres; o 18,9 % tem estado gravidas, e destas, o 61,4% tem tido uma gravidez não desejado. O analise bivariado amostrou relação estatisticamente significativa entre uma gravidez não desejado e variáveis como a idade de início das relações sexuais, o consumo de SPA e o manter ou não relações sexuais baixo o efeito do álcool e SPA. Conclusões: O estudo amostrou condições que podem favorecer os problemas relacionados com a saúde sexual e reprodutiva de jovens universitários. É preciso criar a necessidade de estudar algumas condutas de risco de maneira particular, mediante uma abordagem integral que permita posteriormente reorientar as atividades da promoção da saúde sexual em pro de reconhecer condutas de cuidado e de risco.