Sexual health knowledge and behaviour of young Sudanese Queenslanders: a cross-sectional study

Sexual Health ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith Dean ◽  
Marion Mitchell ◽  
Donald Stewart ◽  
Joseph Debattista

Background Forced migration is associated with sexual vulnerability. However, little is known about the sexual health literacy and needs of refugee-background youth post resettlement. Methods: Conducted in partnership with the Queensland Sudanese community, this study used a cross-sectional survey to explore the sexual health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of a convenience sample of 16- to 24-year-old Sudanese-background youth in Australia (n = 229). Results: Sexually transmissible infection (STI) and HIV knowledge scores were generally low, although they were found to significantly improve the longer participants had lived in Australia (P < 0.001). Female participants reported significantly higher levels of both STI and HIV knowledge compared with the male cohort (P < 0.001). The aggregated sexual risk behaviour score suggests generally low levels of risk-taking behaviour. However, of the 140 sexually active participants, 3.1% reported a STI diagnosis, 9.0% reported sex leading to a pregnancy and 33.1% reported they had experienced unwanted sex. Participants also reported engaging in behaviours such as anal sex (33%) and sharing injecting drug equipment. Conclusions: Patterns of sexual behaviour among this predominately refugee-background group are not dissimilar to those of other young Australians. Nonetheless, the self-reported patterns of risk behaviour combined with the low and inaccurate levels of sexual health knowledge suggest this group of young people remain sexually vulnerable, particularly early within their resettlement experience. Culturally and contextually informed sexual health interventions are needed early within the resettlement experience.

Sexual Health ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lester Coleman ◽  
Adrienne Testa

Background: Certain Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups have been identified as bearing a disproportionate burden of sexual ill health in the UK. There still exists a significant gap in the evidence-base concerning the sexual behaviours of BME youth. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 16 secondary schools in London, where the proportion of BME students exceeded two-thirds of the intake. The aim was to identify the factors associated with sexual intercourse and sexual risk behaviours. Results: 2801 students aged 15 to 18 completed questionnaires. Compared with White British males, Black males were significantly more likely to report sexual intercourse (OR 3.04, 95% CI 1.92–4.81). Compared with White British females, Asian females were significantly less likely to report sexual intercourse (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.27–0.69). Both sexes reporting school as their main source of information, as opposed to their family, had a lower likelihood of intercourse (males OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.21–0.53, females OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.25–0.62). Compared with White British males, contraceptive use at first ever intercourse was significantly less likely among Black males (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.16–0.98) and males of Mixed ethnicity (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.06–0.92). Among females, higher sexual health knowledge was associated with contraceptive use (OR 4.69, 95% CI 1.76–12.49). Males reporting higher sexual health knowledge were more likely to be ‘sexually competent’ at first ever intercourse (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.10–4.69). Conclusions: Given the importance of sexual health knowledge, ensuring this is improved among all ethnic groups, especially the Black and Mixed male groups, is a key message to arise from this study. Delivering this information in a ‘culturally competent’ manner is an important goal.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (09) ◽  
pp. 1626-1633
Author(s):  
Evelyn Serwaa Adjei ◽  
Kennedy Ameyaw Baah

Parent’s involvement in adolescent sexual health education has been identified as one of the effective ways of reducing sexual risk behaviour among adolescents. However, a number of factors may prevent parents from carrying out adolescent sexual health education. Four hundred and twenty-four (424) parents/guardians, including 180 males and 244 females were randomly selected from the Asutifi north and south districts of the Brong- Ahafo region of Ghana for the cross- sectional study. Self-administered and interviewer-administered questionnaires consisting of demographic characteristics, parent’s knowledge on adolescent sexual health, socioeconomic factors, cultural factors and practice of sexual health education were the measures for the study. Literate respondents had self-administered questionnaire while illiterate respondents had interviewer administered questionnaires. Interviewers translated the questionnaire from the English language to the local language (Twi) for illiterate respondents to ensure better understanding of the questions. 86.1% of the surveyed parents practice adolescent sexual health education. Females as well as married parents were found to practice sexual health education (SHE) more than male and unmarried parents respectively. Two variables remained significant after controlling for relevant demographic and other factors. These included parent’s knowledges on adolescent sexual health (OR=2.35; 95% CI 1.34-4.09) and parents’ level of education (OR= 3.47; 95% CI 1.27-9.45). Government agencies in collaboration with stake holders should develop policies that will ensure that parents are given the necessary training that will boost both their level of education and knowledge on adolescent sexual health.


Sexual Health ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 290 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Kalsi ◽  
H. Do ◽  
Z. Gu

International students are the 4th most revenue raising industry in Australia brining in $6 billion in 2006. December 2006 reports show 383 818 international students were enrolled across Australia with 61�019 in Queensland. The vast majority of students come from Asian countries with a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and STIs combined with minimal sexual health knowledge. Through workshops and discussion groups with international students they have been identified as a high risk in relation to sexual health problems due to their lack of sexual health knowledge, their tendency to engage in risk behaviour without adequate knowledge of risks, consequences and protection mechanisms. As a result, sexual health issues are increasingly presenting to professionals working directly with international students and health services in claims related to pregnancy, abortion rates, sexual assault, rape and reports of international students from high risk countries found to be HIV+. Further, international students reported receiving no information prior to arrival and on arrival of risk behaviour, safety issues, health or laws in Australia. In order to promote safe sex behaviour among international students we have formulated various strategies to raise awareness of international students, from print material on arrival, to information stalls at O-week, intermittent workshops for international students, student leaders and professionals working directly with international students. The feedback from the students is very positive and new strategies are being developed to target students facing language barriers. Our program findings demonstrate that the international student population is a high risk group facing sexual health issues where increased education and support must occur to prevent and reduce sexual health related problems.


2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing Ye ◽  
Fu-Rong Li ◽  
Qing Pan ◽  
Zhen Li ◽  
Gong-Qi Yu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The reported incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in China has been increasing over the last decades, especially among drug users, which has become one of the main burdens of public health in China. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of STIs among non-injecting methamphetamine (MA) users in Eastern China. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 632 MA users in Eastern China in 2017. Demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, behaviors of MA use and sexual health knowledge were collected through questionnaire. First pass urine specimens were collected and detected for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) with Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology (NAAT), while blood specimens were collected and detected for antibodies of Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2), and syphilis with enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA). Results Among the 632 MA users, 464 (73.42%) were males, 60.92% were < 35 years of age, 546 (86.39%) were Shandong residents. 317 (50.16%, 95% CI 46.26–54.06%) participants were tested positive for at least one kind of STIs, including 242 (38.29%, 95% CI 34.50–42.08%) for HSV-2, 107 (16.93%, 95% CI 14.01–19.85%) for active syphilis, 46 (7.28%, 95% CI 5.25–9.31%) for treated syphilis, 40 (6.33%, 95% CI 4.43–8.23%) for CT, 6 (0.95%, 95% CI 0.19–1.71%) for HIV, and 3 (0.47%, 95% CI 0.06–1.00%) for NG infection. 99 (15.66%, 95% CI 12.83–18.49%) participants were co-infected with two kinds of STIs, including 91 (14.40%, 95% CI 11.66–17.14%) participants were co-infected with HSV-2 and syphilis. 14 (2.22%, 95% CI 1.07–3.37%) participants were co-infected with three kinds of STIs, and 4 HIV positive participants were co-infected with both syphilis and HSV-2. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the results showed that females (adjusted OR [AOR] = 7.30, 95% CI 4.34–12.30) and individuals ≥ 35 years of age (AOR = 2.97, 95% CI 2.04–4.32) were more likely to test positive for STIs among MA users, whereas participants who acquired sexual health knowledge primarily from the Internet (AOR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.40–0.82) and those whose regular partners did not use drugs (AOR = 0.59, 95% CI 0.37–0.94) were less likely. Conclusions This study found that the prevalence of HSV-2 and syphilis are alarming high among non-injecting MA users in Shandong Province in Eastern China. The prevention and control intervention of STIs among MA users in Shandong were needed, especially on females and MA users ≥ 35 years of age.


Sexual Health ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rusi Jaspal ◽  
Barbara Lopes ◽  
Zahra Jamal ◽  
Carmen Yap ◽  
Ivana Paccoud ◽  
...  

Background Black and minority ethnic (BME) men who have sex with men (MSM) face a major burden in relation to HIV infection. Using a cross-sectional correlational survey design, the present study explored the relationships between HIV knowledge and reported sexual health and sexual behaviour in this population. Methods: A convenience sample of 538 BME MSM was recruited in London, Leicester and Leeds: 346 (64%) self-identified as South Asian, 88 (16%) self-identified as Latin American, 76 (14%) self-identified as Black, 13 (2%) self-identified as mixed, and 15 (3%) self-identified as other. Results: HIV knowledge was low across the board, and South Asian MSM manifested the lowest scores. Respondents who perceived their HIV risk to be low possessed the least HIV knowledge. There were interethnic differences in the frequency of gay sauna visits, sex-seeking on mobile applications, drug use and attendance at sex parties. Respondents reported a high frequency of racism and discrimination, with Black MSM reporting highest frequency. Conclusions: There is an urgent need to raise awareness of HIV in BME MSM, and a culturally competent approach to HIV awareness-raising in BME MSM is required. These findings shed light on the contexts in which HIV prevention efforts should be targeted to reach specific ethnic groups, as well as some of the potential syndemics that can increase HIV risk or undermine HIV outcomes in BME MSM patients.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina Warner ◽  
Samantha Carlson ◽  
Renee Crichlow ◽  
Michael W. Ross

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