Prevalence of precancerous lesions and other cervical abnormalities among internally displaced women in Benue State Nigeria.

Introduction: visual inspection is a low-cost screening strategy that can be used to prevent cervical cancer in women. These techniques can improve screening health outcomes for internally displaced women (IDW) who have poor sexual and reproductive health and rights' behaviors and outcomes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of precancerous lesions and other clinical features using a visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) technique during a cervical cancer screening campaign in two internally displaced people (IDP) camps in Benue State, Nigeria. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study of 166 IDW who voluntarily participated in the study during a VIA cervical cancer screening campaign in two IDP camps in Benue State, Nigeria the screening was done by a group of qualified and trained healthcare workers and data was collected using a structured, pretested questionnaire. Results: a total of 99(60%) of the women had a first sexual experience at 16 years, while 78(47%) had more than 5 full-term pregnancies. Although only 72(43.4%) of the women acknowledged having more than one sexual partner, over 70% of the women stated that their sexual partner had another sexual partner. The prevalence of precancerous lesions among women was 10.8%. Smoking(p=0.003), age at menarche (p≤ 0.001) and sexual behaviors (p=0.009, p=0.004) were factors that had a statistically significant relationship with the presence of a precancerous lesion among the IDW. The study also highlights the high rate (95%) of cervicitis among the women and the relatively high rate (5.4%) of leukoplakia. Conclusion: the majority of IDW had sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics that predisposed them to developing cervical cancer More targeted interventions aimed at improving the sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics of IDW are recommended. In addition, there is a need to create awareness about cervical cancer among IDW and make screening available in camp facilities for early detection and management.

Prevalence, pattern and predictors of intimate partner violence amongst female undergraduates in Abia State, Nigeria; public health implications.

BACKGROUND: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is the range of sexually, psychologically and physically coercive acts used against adult and adolescent women by a current or former male partner. It is a major public health problem globally. This study determined the prevalence, patterns and predictors of IPV amongst female undergraduates in Abia State. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January - February 2022 amongst 306 female undergraduates in Abia State. A mixed method of an online structured questionnaire created on Google forms & onsite self-administered questionnaire were deployed for data collection. Descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analyses were done using IBM SPSS Version 26.0. The level of significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: A total of 306 respondents participated in the survey. The overall prevalence of IPV amongst female undergraduates was 51.2% (95% CI: 44.8-57.6%). Emotional abuse was the most common form of abuse 78.9%, followed by Physical abuse 42.0% and Sexual abuse 30.8%. Predictors of IPV reported include female earning/receiving more than their partner monthly (aOR = 2.30; 95% CI: 1.20-4.41); male (partner) alcohol consumption (aOR = 5.17; 95% CI: 2.46-10.88), being a smoker of cigarette/marijuana (aOR = 11.01; 95% CI: 1.26-96.25) and having witnessed domestic violence as a child (aOR = 3.55; 95% CI: I.56-8.07). Adverse effects such as unwanted pregnancies (12%), miscarriages (10%), eating/sleeping disorders (21%) and bruises (23%) amongst others were noted in some of the victims. CONCLUSION: Over half of all female undergraduates in Abia State have experienced IPV with emotional abuse being the commonest. Some Individual and relationship factors were identified as predictors of IPV. We recommend intensifying primary prevention campaigns against risk factors identified like smoking and alcohol consumption.

Asian People Reached by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HIV Testing Program in the United States: HIV Testing, Linkage to HIV Medical Care, and Interview for Partner Services 2014-2020.

The purpose of this analysis is to describe HIV tests and associated outcomes for Asian people reached by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) HIV testing program. We analyzed CDC-funded HIV tests among Asian individuals in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (2014-2020). Of the 415,560 tests, the positivity of new diagnoses was higher among males (0.49%, aPR = 7.64) than females (0.06%), and in the West (0.42%, aPR = 1.15) than in the South (0.25%). In non-health care settings, positivity was highest among men who have sex with men (MSM; 0.87%) and transgender people (0.46%). Linkage to HIV medical care among Asian people was 87.5%, and 70.7% were interviewed for partner services. Our findings suggest that improvements are crucial, particularly for Asian MSM, in linkage to care and interview for partner services.

Sexuality, intimacy, and body image among adolescents and young adults with cancer: a qualitative, explorative study.

AIM: The aim of this study was threefold: (1) to explore Danish adolescents and young adults' (AYAs) thoughts concerning sexual health particularly focusing on sexuality, intimacy, and body image throughout a cancer trajectory, (2) to investigate how AYAs experience healthcare professionals address of- and respond to sexual health issues, and (3) to identify AYAs' suggestions on how to support conversation about sexual health. METHODS: A qualitative, single-center study was conducted, including AYAs (18-29 years) diagnosed with cancer recruited at the University Hospital of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted from January-February 2023, recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Twelve participants were interviewed, aged 20-29; five were diagnosed with hematological- and seven with oncological cancer. Our analyses yielded three themes: (1) sexuality and body image as part of the identity, (2) excluding relatives in conversations about sexual health, and (3) uncertainty how to discuss sexual health with healthcare professionals. Finally, the AYAs' suggestions to support conversations about sexual health were organized into six thematic categories. CONCLUSION: In this study, participants experienced altered sexual subsequent impacts on body image and self-esteem during their cancer trajectory. While some adapted to these changes, discussing them with healthcare providers was difficult, especially in the presence of relatives, as the AYAs wanted to shield them from additional concerns. To enhance support, AYAs suggest regular discussions on sexual health and the use of a dialog tool by healthcare professionals.

Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevalence, Partner Notification, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Risk Perception in a Cohort of Women Completing Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening as Part of a Safer Conception Study.

BACKGROUND: Integrating sexually transmitted infection (STI) and preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care may optimize sexual and reproductive health. METHODS: We nested an STI substudy within a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention cohort (parent study) of 18- to 35-year-old women from South Africa, planning pregnancy with a partner with HIV or of unknown serostatus. Parent-study women completed annual surveys regarding HIV-risk perceptions and were offered oral PrEP. Preexposure prophylaxis initiators completed quarterly plasma tenofovir (TFV) testing. Substudy women completed STI screening at enrollment, 6 months, onset of pregnancy, and in the third trimester via examination, vaginal swabs tested via PCR for Chlamydia trachomatis , Neisseria gonorrhoeae , Trichomonas vaginalis , Mycoplasma genitalium , and blood tested for Treponema pallidum . Follow-up was 6 months. Women with STIs were treated, offered partner notification (PN) cards, and surveyed regarding PN practices. We describe STI prevalence and incidence, and model factors associated with prevalent infection. Sexually transmitted infection substudy and parent study-only participants were matched on age and number of days on study to assess HIV-risk perception scores between the 2 groups and the proportion with detectable TFV. RESULTS: Among 50 substudy participants, 15 (30%) had prevalent STI. All 13 completing follow-up reported PN. Most did not prefer assisted PN. Mean HIV risk perception scores and proportion with detected plasma TFV were similar across groups. CONCLUSIONS: High STI prevalence supports the importance of laboratory screening to optimize sexual health for women planning pregnancy. Rates of self-reported PN are reassuring; low interest in assisted PN suggests the need for alternative approaches. Enhanced STI care did not affect HIV-risk perception or PrEP adherence, however both were relatively high in this cohort.

Assisted Partner Notification Services in Namibia: Comparison of Case-Finding in Persons With New and Previously Diagnosed Human Immunodeficiency Virus, and Success as a Platform for PrEP Referral.

BACKGROUND: Assisted partner notification services (APS) are widely implemented throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The effectiveness of APS among persons with previously diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is uncertain, and there are few published data on the success of integrating referrals for HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) into APS. METHODS: Staff in 22 Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Service clinics offered APS to patients newly and previously diagnosed with HIV (index cases [ICs]) between October 2019 and June 2021. Counselors used a structured interview guide to elicit ICs' sex partners and biological children and assisted ICs to arrange testing of contacts. Contacts testing HIV-positive were linked to HIV services and those 14 years or older testing negative were offered PrEP. The primary outcome was the case-finding index (contacts testing HIV-positive ÷ ICs receiving APS). RESULTS: Staff provided APS to 1222 (78%) of 1557 newly diagnosed ICs eliciting 1155 sex partners and 649 biological children. Among 280 previously diagnosed ICs, 279 sex partners and 158 biological children were elicited. The case-finding index was higher among ICs with newly diagnosed HIV compared with previously diagnosed HIV (0.14 vs 0.09, P = 0.46), though this difference was not statistically significant. Most sex partners testing HIV-negative were initiated on PrEP (67% in sex partners from newly diagnosed ICs; 74% in sex partners from previously diagnosed ICs). CONCLUSIONS: Assisted partner notification services successfully identified sex partners and biological children with undiagnosed HIV infection when provided to both newly and previously diagnosed ICs. Integration of referral to PrEP resulted in many HIV-negative partners initiating PrEP.

Organisation of testing services, structural barriers and facilitators of routine HIV self-testing during sexually transmitted infection consultations: a qualitative study of patients and providers in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.

BACKGROUND: Consultations for sexually transmitted infection (STI) provide an opportunity to offer HIV testing to both patients and their partners. This study describes the organisation of HIV self-testing (HIVST) distribution during STI consultations in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) and analyse the perceived barriers and facilitators associated with the use and redistribution of HIVST kits by STI patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted between March and August 2021 to investigate three services providing HIVST: an antenatal care clinic (ANC), a general health centre that also provided STI consultations, and a dedicated STI clinic. Data were collected through observations of medical consultations with STI patients (N = 98) and interviews with both health professionals involved in HIVST distribution (N = 18) and STI patients who received HIVST kits for their partners (N = 20). RESULTS: In the ANC clinic, HIV testing was routinely offered during the first prenatal visit. HIVST was commonly offered to women who had been diagnosed with an STI for their partner's use (27/29 observations). In the general health centre, two parallel pathways coexisted: before the consultation, a risk assessment tool was used to offer HIV testing to eligible patients and, after the consultation, patients who had been diagnosed with an STI were referred to a care assistant for HIVST. Due to this HIV testing patient flow, few offers of HIV testing and HIVST were made in this setting (3/16). At the dedicated STI clinic, an HIVST video was played in the waiting room. According to the health professionals interviewed, this video helped reduce the time required to offer HIVST after the consultation. Task-shifting was implemented there: patients were referred to a nurse for HIV testing, and HIVST was commonly offered to STI patients for their partners' use (28/53). When an HIVST was offered, it was generally accepted (54/58). Both health professionals and patients perceived HIVST positively despite experiencing a few difficulties with respect to offering HIVST to partners and structural barriers associated with the organisation of services. CONCLUSION: The organisation of patient flow and task-shifting influenced HIV testing and offers of HIVST kits. Proposing HIVST is more systematic when HIV testing is routinely offered to all patients. Successful integration requires improving the organisation of services, including task-shifting.

Validity of Partner Reports of Recent Condomless Sex.

BACKGROUND: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a biomarker of vaginal semen exposure, is less susceptible to bias than self-reported condom use behaviors. We examined the agreement of self-reported recent condomless sex (RCS) within couples and how these reports related to PSA detection. METHODS: We analyzed data from a study conducted in Vietnam, 2017 to 2020, of 500 different-sex couples using condoms and no other contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy for 6 months. We assessed enrollment and 6-month data from vaginal swabs and questionnaires from both partners. We calculated Prevalence-Adjusted Bias-Adjusted Kappa (PABAK) to evaluate agreement of men's and women's reports. Among couples with detected PSA, we assessed partner concordance of RCS reporting. RESULTS: At enrollment (n = 499), 79.8% of couples reported no RCS, 16.4% reported RCS, and 3.8% had partner-discordant reports (PABAK, 0.93; 95% confidence interval, 0.91-0.97). At 6 months (n = 472), 91.7% reported no RCS, 5.7% reported RCS, and 2.5% had partner-discordant reports (PABAK, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.96-1.0). Among couples with detected PSA at baseline (11%, n = 55), 36% reported no RCS, 55% reported RCS, and 6% had discordant reports; at 6 months (6.6%, n = 31), 58% reported no RCS, 35% reported RCS, and 3% had discordant reports. CONCLUSIONS: We observed high agreement regarding condomless sex within couples in a population using condoms as contraception in Vietnam; however, a high proportion of couples with detected PSA had both partners reporting no RCS, indicating that concordant reporting of no RCS does not indicate lack of semen exposure.

Experiences of Women With Breast Cancer and Their Partners in Achieving Coherence as a Couple During the Disease Journey.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the experiences of female patients with breast cancer and their partners in achieving coherence as a couple during the disease journey. DESIGN: Qualitative study. SETTING: Colombia, South America. PARTICIPANTS: Women diagnosed with breast cancer in the last 2 years and their intimate partners with whom they lived during the 6 months before study enrollment. In total, 16 heterosexual couples participated in individual interviews and focus groups. METHOD: Interviews and focus groups were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: The Diagnosis: A Moment That Destabilizes the Couple, Couple's Sexuality: Seeking the Best Conditions Between Desire and Reality, Generating Mutually Supportive Dynamics in the Face of Cancer, and The Transformation of a Negative Situation Into a Positive One and Achieving Coherence Within the Couple. The first theme represents the initial moment of uncertainty and emotional reactions due to the confirmation of the diagnosis of breast cancer. The second captures the physical and emotional effects in the couple's sexuality generated by the treatment and diagnosis as well as the strategies used to strengthen the couple's relationship. The third reflects how the couple's support is based on commitment, companionship, and the performance of daily actions. The last describes how the adaptation process allows couples experiencing the disease to achieve coherence. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight that couples experiencing breast cancer can transform the negative situation into an opportunity to strengthen their relationship by achieving coherence. Future research is needed to investigate the antecedents, attributes, and outcomes related to couples' coherence. Moreover, health professionals should perform periodic assessments on the dynamics, coping strategies, and resources at couples' disposal to help promote couples' adaptation and coherence.

Sexual risk characteristics, social vulnerability, and anal cancer screening uptake among men living with HIV in the deep south.

ABSTRACTWithout standard guidelines, there is a critical need to examine anal cancer screening uptake in the South which has the highest HIV incidence in the U.S. We identified factors associated with screening among men living with HIV (MLHIV) at a large academic HIV outpatient clinic in Alabama. Relationships between sociodemographic, clinical, sexual risk characteristics and screening were examined using T-tests, Fisher's exact, Chi-square, and logistic regression analyses. Unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) were computed to estimate the odds of screening. Among 1,114 men, 52% had received annual anal cytology (pap) screening. Men who were screened were more likely to have multiple sexual partners compared to men who were not screened (22.8% vs. 14.8%, p = 0.002). Among men with one partner, the youngest were almost five times more likely to be screened compared to middle-aged men (AOR = 4.93, 95% CI: 2.34-10.39). Heterosexual men had lower odds and men who reported unprotected anal sex had higher odds of screening. Our findings suggest a racial disparity, with older black MLHIV being the least likely to be screened. In the South, MLHIV who are older, black, heterosexual, or live in high social vulnerability counties may be less likely to receive annual anal cancer screening.

Factors associated with HPV-associated sexual risk behaviors among sexually active college students.

High-risk sexual behavior is the primary risk factor for the acquisition and persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and the development of HPV-associated diseases including cancer. Incidence of HPV infection is high among individuals in their late teens and early 20s. Thus, college students represent a historically high-risk group for HPV infection yet are also a group with the ability to independently access HPV vaccination for HPV prevention. To inform future interventions, we examined factors associated with HPV-associated risky sexual behaviors among sexually active college students. Data (N = 741) were from an anonymous online survey distributed to students at a public Midwestern university in 2021. The outcomes were HPV-associated sexual risk behaviors-number of oral or vaginal sexual partners [high (≥ 5) or low (< 5)] and age of oral or vaginal sexual debut [early (< 18 years) or late (≥ 18 years)]. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated the association between HPV-associated risky sexual behaviors and several predictors including age, gender, relationship status, academic level, country of birth, and rural-urban status. Among sexually active students, approximately 47% and 41% had a high number of lifetime vaginal and oral partners, respectively. Among the same group, 60% and 64% had early vaginal and oral sexual debut. Students who were single and dating (aOR = 1.93; 95% CI = 1.21, 3.08) or single and not dating (2.11; 1.28, 3.48) were more likely to have a high number of vaginal lifetime partners compared with married students. Single (vs. married) students were also about twice as likely to have a high number of oral lifetime partners. Relative to graduate students, freshmen/sophomores were more likely to have an early vaginal (2.44; 1.45, 4.11) and oral (2.14; 1.26, 3.63) sexual debut. Interventions tailored to college freshmen/sophomores and unmarried students should encourage students to receive the HPV vaccine for prevention of future HPV-associated diseases.

Sexual activity in a large representative cohort of Polish men: Frequency, number of partners, correlates, and quality of life.

INTRODUCTION: Sexual activity of men has been evaluated at the population-level in different regions of the world. However, reliable data are lacking for Eastern Europe. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of sexual activity and the number of sexual partners in a large representative cohort of Polish men. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional investigation with computer-assisted web interviews. Participants were stratified by age (≥18 years) and place of residence. The most recent population census was used to produce a population-representative sample of respondents. Men's sexual activity was then correlated with multiple variables. RESULTS: We enrolled 3001 men, representative for age and place of residence, including adequate proportions of respondents from urban and rural areas. Most Polish men were sexually active, predominantly having had sex at least weekly with one partner. Almost 18% of respondents declined sexual intercourse and/or sexual partner in the prior year. The highest sexual activity was observed for men 35-44-years-old (for sex frequency) and 18-24-years-old (for partner number), living in medium-sized cities, employed, and married (for sex frequency) or divorced (for partner number). Erectile dysfunction negatively affected the frequency of sexual activity and lowered the number of sexual partners, although premature ejaculation did not have any effect. Frequency of sexual activity and number of sexual partners correlated well with psychological distress, quality of sex life, and overall life quality. Whereas lifestyle habits including smoking and alcohol intake decreased the likelihood of sexual activity, all analyzed comorbidities did not affect sex life. CONCLUSIONS: This study of men's sexual activity was the first population-representative and nationwide investigation performed in Poland. Most Polish men were sexually active and sexual activity correlated with multiple variables including sociodemographic factors, erectile functioning, mental distress, overall and sex-specific quality of life, and lifestyle habits.

Self-reported intimate partner violence among men who have sex with men at an urban Australian sexual health clinic.

BACKGROUND: In Australia, 17% of women and 6% of men have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Although most IPV research has focused on heterosexual partnerships, studies suggest that men who have sex with men (MSM) may experience IPV at similar or higher rates than those documented among women. IPV may also take different forms among MSM and have different health and social impacts. This study aims to assess the utility of a screening tool for identifying and responding to IPV among MSM attending a sexual health clinic in Sydney, Australia. METHODS: Between 1 June 2020 and 30 June 2022, MSM clients were screened using standardised questions to identify IPV experienced within the preceding 12months. Answers to the screening questions were correlated with data collected routinely at the initial clinic visit, including age, employment, country of birth, drug and alcohol use, sexual partner numbers, and any history of sex work, pre-exposure prophylaxis use and HIV status, as well as any bacterial STI diagnosed at the initial visit. RESULTS: There were 2410 eligible clients and of these, 2167 (89.9%) were screened during the study period. A total of 64 men (3.0%) (95% CI 2.3-3.8%) reported experiencing physical violence or intimidation in the past 12months. Controlling for age, men who were born in Australia were 2.03 (95% CI: 1.04-3.01) times more likely to report IPV, and men who had Medicare were 2.43 (95% CI: 0.95-3.90) times more likely to report IPV than those who did not. Those who had ever injected drugs were 5.8 (95% CI: 1.87-9.73) times more likely to report IPV, and men with sexualised drug use were 4.11 (95% CI: 2.03-6.19) times more likely. Those that were employed or studying were 72% (95%CI: 0.13-0.42) less likely to report IPV. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of reported IPV in our study was lower than that reported by others, which may be due to differences in recruitment methods and questions asked. Associations between IPV in MSM and injecting drug use and sexualised drug use highlight that clinicians should be aware of the impact and potential for IPV particularly in those with risk factors.

HIV knowledge, self-perception of HIV risk, and sexual risk behaviors among male Tajik labor migrants who inject drugs in Moscow.

BACKGROUND: The interplay of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) knowledge and self-perception of risk for HIV among people who inject drugs is complex and understudied, especially among temporary migrant workers who inject drugs (MWID) while in a host country. In Russia, Tajik migrants make up the largest proportion of Moscow's foreign labor. Yet, HIV knowledge and self-perceived risk in association with sexual risk behavior among male Tajik MWID in Moscow remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: This research examines knowledge about HIV transmission, self-perception of HIV risk, and key psychosocial factors that possibly contribute to sexual risk behaviors among male Tajik labor MWID living in Moscow. METHODS: Structured interviews were conducted with 420 male Tajik labor MWID. Modified Poisson regression models investigated possible associations between major risk factors and HIV sexual risk behavior. RESULTS: Of the 420 MWID, 255 men (61%) reported sexual activity in the last 30 days. Level of HIV knowledge was not associated in either direction with condom use or risky sexual partnering, as measured by sex with multiple partners or female sex workers (FSW). Lower self-perceived HIV risk was associated with a greater likelihood of sex with multiple partners (aPR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.34, 2.40) and FSW (aPR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.59), but was not associated with condom use. Police-enacted stigma was associated with sex with multiple partners (aPR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.49) and FSW (aPR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.13, 1.54). While depression and lower levels of loneliness were associated with condomless sex (aPR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.05, 1.24; aPR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.92, respectively), only depression was associated with condomless sex with FSW (aPR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.54). CONCLUSIONS: HIV prevention programing for male Tajik MWID must go beyond solely educating about factors associated with HIV transmission to include increased awareness of personal risk based on engaging in these behaviors. Additionally, psychological services to counter depression and police-enacted stigma are needed.

The protective roles of affectionate behaviors and communication on mental quality of life of couples living with fibromyalgia: movement toward a dyadic perspective.

This study assessed the impact of affectionate behaviors and communication problems on the mental quality of life (mQoL) in couples with fibromyalgia. Dyadic multilevel modeling in 204 fibromyalgia couples found that people with fibromyalgia (PwFM) who engaged in high levels of affectionate behaviors with their partner had improved mQoL. There was no significant association between affectionate behaviors and mQoL for their partners. Similarly, when PwFM and their partners had more communication problems within the couple, they had poor mQoL. Both models found that higher levels of pain interference for PwFM were significantly associated with poorer mQoL for both members of the couple. Young partners were significantly more likely to report poorer mQoL. Findings highlight the importance of the interpersonal context of fibromyalgia and the protective roles that affectionate behaviors and positive communication can play. Clinicians should include the partner in the care plan and treat the couple as one unit to better optimize the health of both members.

"What if I die and no one had ever romantically loved me?": sexual well-being in a sample of YA cancer survivors.

PURPOSE: Among young adult (YA) cancer survivors, sexual health is often exclusively focused on sexual functioning, or the completion of sexual tasks. However, it has become clear that there is another element of sexual health, sexual well-being-one's subjective experience of sex (e.g., body image or sexual/romantic relationship satisfaction)-that may be just as impaired as sexual functioning. In this study, we sought to elucidate potential themes that YA cancer survivors experience that cross both sexual functioning and well-being, thus encouraging more comprehensive sexual health education among those diagnosed with cancer. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted as part of a larger qualitative study. Three codes developed by a team of coders-Social Isolation: Dating and Sex, Self-Evaluative Emotion: Shame in Dating and Relationships, and Self-Evaluative Emotion: Shame in Body Image/Physical Ability Concerns-included both sexual functioning and sexual well-being, and therefore guided this analysis. RESULTS: Our sample consisted of thirty-five YA cancer survivors who were predominately female (86%) and non-Latino White (77%). Four themes emerged: missing out/aging out, inability to please (potential) partners, body image concerns, and unmet needs for social support. CONCLUSION: While current research has identified sexual functioning as making up most of the sexual health education that cancer survivors receive, there is an interrelationship between sexual functioning and sexual well-being. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The clinical ramifications of the data are clear: more work must be done to address sexuality within both the couple and the individual survivor, and that work cannot be exclusively devoted to sexual functioning.

The Effect of Beautification Strategies on Mating Popularity Judged by Men from the People's Republic of China.

Contemporary women frequently employ beautification strategies. The impact of such strategies, such as plastic surgery, on mating popularity in different mate contexts remains unclear. To investigate this issue, the current study conducted two experiments. In Experiment 1, beautification strategies were manipulated using three images of the same female with different conditions (natural, makeup, and plastic surgery). The results indicated that when the beautification strategies were not informed, surgical-enhanced and makeup targets were perceived as significantly more attractive, loyal, and popular among potential mates than natural targets. However, when participants were informed of the beautification strategies, both natural and makeup targets showed a significant increase in perceived loyalty and mating popularity. In contrast, surgically enhanced targets saw a reduction in these dimensions. Experiment 2 aimed to reduce the confounding effect of facial attractiveness by using vignettes. The results indicated that the mating popularity of natural targets was significantly higher than that of makeup or surgically enhanced targets, with surgically enhanced targets being the least popular. Moreover, the results revealed the mediating role of perceived loyalty in the impact of beautification strategies on long-term mating popularity. This study sheds light on the potential stigmatization and negative bias toward beautification strategies in the mating market. Additionally, it provides guidance for women who intend to enhance their mate popularity through plastic surgery.

Epidemiology of genital human papillomavirus infections in sequential male sex partners of young females.

OBJECTIVES: Couple-based studies have considered human papillomavirus (HPV) transmission between current heterosexual partners (male↔female). Using data from young women and their sequential male partners, we analysed HPV transmission from upstream sexual partnerships (male 1↔female) to downstream sex partners (→male 2). METHODS: Among 502 females enrolled in the HPV Infection and Transmission among Couples through Heterosexual activity study (2005-2011, Montréal, Canada), 42 brought one male sex partner at baseline (male 1) and another during follow-up (male 2). Female genital samples, collected at six visits over 24 months, and male genital samples, collected at two visits over 4 months, were tested for 36 HPV types (n = 1512 detectable infections). We calculated observed/expected ratios with 95% CIs for type-specific HPV concordance between males 1 and 2. Using mixed-effects regression, we estimated ORs with 95% CIs for male 2 testing positive for the same HPV type as male 1. RESULTS: Detection of the same HPV type in males 1 and 2 occurred 2.6 (CI 1.9-3.5) times more often than chance (29 instances observed vs. 10.95 instances expected). The OR for male 2 positivity was 4.2 (CI 2.5-7.0). Adjusting for the number of times the linking female tested positive for the same HPV type attenuated the relationship between male 1 and 2 positivity, suggesting mediation. CONCLUSIONS: High type-specific HPV concordance between males 1 and 2 confirms HPV's transmissibility in chains of sequential sexual partnerships. HPV positivity in an upstream partnership predicted positivity in a downstream male when the linking female partner was persistently positive.

Redefining sexual health after gynaecological cancer: Lived experiences from Gynea, a digital rehabilitation programme.

BACKGROUND: Gynaecological cancer illness and treatment have a significant impact on women's sexual health and concerns regarding sexual health are known to be an unmet need in survivors. The digital support programme Gynea was designed to enhance women's health, including sexual health, after gynaecological cancer treatment. This study aimed to explore how cancer survivors experienced participation in Gynea. METHODOLOGY: This is a phenomenological hermeneutic study. Individual, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore lived experiences. Twenty women were interviewed after completing the Gynea programme. The transcripts were analysed using Lindseth and Norberg's phenomenological hermeneutic method. FINDINGS: Three main themes (with subthemes) emerged from the analysis: (1) A silent existential trauma; (2) Redefining sexual health; (3) Communicating with a partner about sexuality. The women redefined sexual health rather than just being sexual intercourse, being a rediscovery of the body. The women's increased awareness and understanding of their own sexual health empowered their communication about their sexuality with their partners. This was important for regaining sexual health and intimacy in their relationships. CONCLUSION: Participation in Gynea helped to strengthen the women's sexual integrity. Knowledge and support empowered them to take care of their sexual needs and communicate these with their partners. IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT CARE: Healthcare services and nurses need to be aware that sexual health is an existential state of being, in which good sexual health does not necessarily equate to sexual function, but rather to sexual empowerment. Digital support with nurse guidance can support women in caring for their sexual health after cancer illness by thematizing sexual health with a holistic approach and should be part of the medical treatment. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Twenty gynaecological cancer survivors contributed by sharing their experiences from the sexual health module in Gynea.

Dyadic typology of illness perceptions in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) Serodiscordant couples.

OBJECTIVE: Illness perceptions direct coping resources in the illness adaptation process. Previous studies regarding illness perception profiles have been conducted at the individual level, without considering the couple as a unit. This study aimed to investigate the dyadic topologies of illness perceptions in HIV-serodiscordant couples and the association between the identified profiles and individual- and couple-level outcomes. METHODS: A comprehensive examination was undertaken, encompassing 231 Chinese HIV-serodiscordant couples, who voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional study during the period spanning June to October 2022. To discern various patterns of illness perception, dyadic latent profile analyses were performed, followed by the implementation of one-way analyses of variance to investigate outcome differences at both the individual and couple levels across the identified profiles. RESULTS: We identified three distinct profiles of illness perception, namely the incongruent-but-low, congruent-but-high, and incongruent-and-high profiles. Except for the partner's sex (p < .01, Cramer' v = 0.214) and the education levels of persons living with HIV and their partners (both p < .01, Cramer' v = 0.236 for persons living with HIV and 0.198 for partners), no significant demographic differences across the various profiles were found. Furthermore, we observed significant differences in all outcomes among the different couple profiles (all p < .001). These differences were of medium-to-large magnitudes (partial η2 values ranging from 0.07 to 0.22). CONCLUSION: A couple-centered typological approach provides a useful way of identifying the couple's configuration of illness perceptions, which will inform the provision of tailor-made treatment for couples with different profiles.