Too Anecdotal to Be True? Mechanical Turk Is Not All Bots and Bad Data: Response to Webb and Tangney (2022).

In response to Webb and Tangney (2022) we call into question the conclusion that data collected on Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk) was "at best-only 2.6% valid" (p. 1). We suggest that Webb and Tangney made certain choices during the study-design and data-collection process that adversely affected the quality of the data collected. As a result, the anecdotal experience of these authors provides weak evidence that MTurk provides low-quality data as implied. In our commentary we highlight best practice recommendations and make suggestions for more effectively collecting and screening online panel data.

Where do 15- to -17-year-olds in Canada get their sexual health information?

Background: Sexual health education delivered in school, provided by parents, or provided by other formal sources has been associated most closely with increased rates of condom use and improvements in many other sexual risk behaviours. Friends and the internet are other information sources, although quality and accuracy are not always as high. Nationally representative Canadian data about where adolescents obtain their sexual health information are lacking. Data and methods: Weighted data from the 2019 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth were used to examine the sources typically used to obtain sexual health information by 15- to 17-year-olds, as well as the prevalence and characteristics of adolescents reporting not having an adult to talk with about sexual health and puberty. Results: Most 15- to 17-year-olds in Canada reported having at least one source of sexual health information (96.6%). More than half identified school (55.6%) and parents or guardians (51.2%) as sources of sexual health information. The internet (45.9%), friends (36.2%), and health care professionals (20.9%) were other common sources. Whereas 61.2% of adolescents identified more than one source of sexual health information, 3.4% reported not having any source. Nearly 15% of adolescents reported not having an adult to talk with about sexual health or puberty. Differences in sources consulted and having an adult to talk with depended on many factors, including sexual attraction and/or gender diversity, sex, immigrant status, racialized status, lower-income status, strength of parent-adolescent relationship, region of residence, and mental health. Interpretation: An improved understanding of the sources of sexual health information used by adolescents and identification of characteristics associated with adolescents reporting not having an adult to talk with could help develop strategies to improve sexual health outcomes via better access to sexual health promotion and educational resources.

Harnessing CRISPR-Cas system diversity for gene editing technologies.

The discovery and utilization of RNA-guided surveillance complexes, such as CRISPR-Cas9, for sequence-specific DNA or RNA cleavage, has revolutionised the process of gene modification or knockdown. To optimise the use of this technology, an exploratory race has ensued to discover or develop new RNA-guided endonucleases with the most flexible sequence targeting requirements, coupled with high cleavage efficacy and specificity. Here we review the constraints of existing gene editing and assess the merits of exploiting the diversity of CRISPR-Cas effectors as a methodology for surmounting these limitations.

Sexual behaviours, condom use and other contraceptive methods among 15- to 24-year-olds in Canada.

BACKGROUND: Sexual and reproductive health are key issues for adolescents and young adults. Detailed national Canadian data about sexual behaviours, condom use and other contraceptive use by youth are lacking. DATA AND METHODS: Data from the 2015/2016 Canadian Community Health Survey were used to examine sexual behaviours, condom and other contraceptive use, and reasons for non-use by selected characteristics. RESULTS: In 2015/2016, 54.1% of 15- to 24-year-olds reported having had sexual intercourse in the past year. Among those who had intercourse in the previous year, the percentage of males (42.6%) who had multiple sexual partners was higher than the percentage of females (31.4%). Gay and bisexual males (67.4% and 72.5%, respectively) and bisexual females (47.5%) were more likely to report having had multiple partners than their heterosexual counterparts. Overall, 60.1% of youth reported using a condom the last time they had sex. This was more common at younger ages, among males and among those who reported having had sex with more than one partner in the previous year. When asked the reason for not using a condom, monogamy and use of another method, such as oral contraceptive pills, were each cited by nearly half of non-users. Some reasons for not using a condom also differed by age, sex and number of partners. For example, youth aged 20 to 24 were more likely to report not using a condom because they disliked them, whereas those aged 15 to 17 were more likely to report none were available. About one-fifth of 15- to 24-year-olds reported using neither a condom nor another method of contraception the last time they had sex. One in 10 currently sexually active females reported using emergency contraception in the past year. DISCUSSION: A substantial proportion of youth in Canada are at high risk for sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy, and the findings have implications for comprehensive sexual health education and related policies and programs.

High Emotional and Sexual Satisfaction Among Partnered Midlife Canadians: Associations with Relationship Characteristics, Sexual Activity and Communication, and Health.

Despite midlife adults accounting for a substantial and growing segment of the population, few large-scale studies have investigated factors which distinguish highly satisfying relationships from less satisfying ones in midlife. In a subsample of partnered 40-59-year-old Canadians (705 men, 743 women), relationship characteristics, sexual activity and communication, and health were investigated individually and simultaneously as predictors of high emotional and sexual satisfaction. Though the vast majority of participants reported being at least somewhat satisfied in their current relationship, less than half reported high satisfaction. For men and women, high emotional and sexual satisfactions were strongly linked. Logistic regressions indicated that longer relationships, dating relationships, and greater subjective overall health predicted high emotional satisfaction for men, whereas older age, married or cohabiting relationships, and frequent sexual communication predicted high emotional satisfaction for women. All types of sexual activities (minus penile-anal intercourse) were bivariately related to high emotional and sexual satisfaction. More frequent partnered sexual activity predicted high emotional and sexual satisfaction for men and women in regression analyses. More frequent sexual communication predicted high emotional satisfaction for women and high sexual satisfaction for both men and women. Newer relationships were more sexually satisfying for men. Postmenopausal women were less likely to be highly sexually satisfied. Findings suggest that physical health conditions are not generally related to high levels of satisfaction in midlife couples and that frequently discussing sex and engaging in (any) sexual activity with a partner are key components of highly satisfying relationships.

Prevalence and Predictors of Sexual Problems Among Midlife Canadian Adults: Results from a National Survey.

BACKGROUND: Sexual problems are common among midlife men and women, and studies have identified a range of demographic, health, and relational correlates. Research on prevalence of these sexual problems within Canada is sparse and is warranted given the unique context related to provision of health care services in contrast to other countries. AIM: We investigated sexual problems (women's low desire, orgasm difficulties, and vaginal pain, as well as men's low desire, erection difficulties, and ejaculation difficulties) and their correlates among a large sample of Canadian men and women aged 40-59 years. METHODS: A national sample of Canadians was recruited (N = 2,400). Prevalence statistics for the sexual problems, and odds ratios for correlates were computed using logistic regression to identify demographic, health, and behavioral correlates of men' and women's sexual problems. OUTCOMES: Self-reported experiences in the last 6-months of low desire, vaginal dryness, vaginal pain, and orgasm difficulties for women, and low desire, erectile difficulties, and ejaculation problems for men. RESULTS: Sexual problems were relatively common; low desire was the most common sexual problem, particularly for women, with 40% reporting low sexual desire in the last 6 months. Women who were post-menopausal were much more likely to report low desire, vaginal pain, and vaginal dryness. Low desire and erectile difficulties for men, and low desire and orgasm difficulties for women were significant predictors of overall happiness with sexual life. CLINICAL TRANSLATION: Given the prevalence and impact of sexual problems indicated in our study, physicians are encouraged to routinely assess for and treat these concerns. CONCLUSIONS: Strengths include a national sample of an understudied demographic category, midlife adults, and items consistent with other national studies of sexual problems. Causal or directional associations cannot be determined with these cross-sectional data. Results are largely consistent with previous national samples in the United States and the United Kingdom. Sexual problems are common among Canadian men and women, with many being associated with self-reported sexual happiness. Quinn-Nilas C, Milhausen RR, McKay A, et al. Prevalence and Predictors of Sexual Problems Among Midlife Canadian Adults: Results from a National Survey. J Sex Med 2018;15:873-879.

Do Associations Between Pleasure Ratings and Condom Use During Penile-Vaginal Intercourse Vary by Relationship Type?: A Study of Canadian University Students.

Research suggests the relationship between pleasure and condom use during penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI) is associated with relationship status. This online study examined pleasure ratings and condom use at last PVI, stratifying by partner type, among a national sample of Canadian university students. Participants were 715 undergraduates (60.7% women, 39.3% men) who reported on their most recent sexual experience. Condom use decreased with level of relationship commitment, whereas ratings of pleasure increased. Overall, participants were more likely to rate their most recent PVI as Very pleasurable when condoms were not used compared to when condoms were used. However, when stratified by partner type, these differences largely disappeared. For women, with one exception, there were no differences in pleasure between PVI with and without condoms across most partner-type categories. Women in committed dating relationships were more likely to report their last PVI as very pleasurable if condoms were not used than women in these same relationships who had used condoms. Across relationship categories, men who did and did not use condoms did not differ in terms of their pleasure ratings. The results of this study suggest relationship context should be taken into account when assessing condom use experiences.

The development and validation of sexual health indicators of Canadians aged 16-24 years.

OBJECTIVES: We developed and validated a set of self-administered, multi-dimensional indicators of sexual health among Canadians aged 16-24 years. METHODS: This study used a mixed-method qualitative and quantitative approach to develop and validate indicators of sexual health. We used the four-stage Dillman method to identify, focus-test, pilot-test, and validate key metrics to measure sexual health. We collected quantitative data to validate the measures through a computer-assisted self-interviewing program among a purposive sample of 1,158 people aged 16-24 years recruited from four Canadian provinces. RESULTS: The survey contained 75 items measuring five dimensions of sexual health: (1) physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being in relation to sexuality; (2) approach to sexuality; (3) sexual relationships; (4) sexual experiences; and (5) discrimination, coercion, and violence. Principal components analysis for composite measures found seven components with eigenvalues ≥1. The factor structure was stable across gender, age, size of area of residence, and language in which the survey was completed. Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.79 to 0.90. Indicators of condom use at last vaginal sex, protection self-efficacy, sexually transmitted infection/HIV testing self-efficacy, and sexual orientation also showed good construct validity. CONCLUSIONS: The indicators constituted a conceptually grounded survey that is easy for young adults to complete and contains valid, reliable, and psychometrically robust measures. The survey instrument provides a tool for future research to collect population-level data to measure and monitor trends in the sexual health of young people in Canada.