Safe sex in chick lit: a ‘novel' analysis of sexual health references in popular women’s fiction

Sexual Health ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 468 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan S.C. Lim ◽  
Margaret E. Hellard ◽  
Danielle Horyniak
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Vaginal Intercourse ◽  
Sexual Content ◽  
Chick Lit ◽  
Sexual Encounters ◽  
Stimulation Of ◽  
Sex Practices

Background Media, including fiction novels, influences health behaviours in women’s lives. This research measures the prevalence of sexual content and explores the portrayal of sexual health topics in ‘chick lit’, a genre of fiction characterised by neoliberal feminism. Methods: Fifty bestselling chick lit novels were identified from the book-related website, Goodreads. Information was extracted on sexual encounters taking place: characters involved, behaviours depicted, references to contraception and other (un)safe sex practices. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse key features of sexual encounters, and thematic analysis conducted to explore the portrayal of (un)safe sex. Results: Forty-five books (90%) contained at least one sexual scene (total: 199 scenes). 110 scenes explicitly described sexual behaviours, mostly commonly vaginal intercourse (72%), manual stimulation of a woman (28%) or oral stimulation of a man (15%) or woman (15%), and 53% of scenes implied sexual intercourse occurred but did not describe the event. Condom use was described in 43% of scenes with clearly described vaginal intercourse, almost exclusively in scenes involving dating or casual partners. Condoms were portrayed as a ‘necessary evil’; although use was normalised, they were described as having negative effects on pleasure and intimacy. Conclusions: Portrayals of sexual encounters in chick lit are realistic and recognise that safe sex does not always occur. Despite references to condom use being prevalent, the portrayal of condoms in a negative light could discourage young women from their use. Chick lit could provide a ‘novel’ opportunity to model positive behaviours and promote discussion of safer sex practices.

scholarly journals Development of a Mobile Phone App to Promote Safe Sex Practice Among Youth in Stockholm, Sweden: Qualitative Study

10.2196/12917 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e12917 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Nielsen ◽  
Aspasia Bågenholm ◽  
Ayesha De Costa
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Specific Information

Background Mobile health (mHealth) has been shown to be effective in increasing knowledge of sexual health among youth. To date, evaluations mostly refer to interventions delivered via computer, email, and text messages. The possibility of downloading apps on mobile devices has opened up opportunities to develop engaging interventions on safe sexual health promotion. To attract young users and have them engage with a sexual health app, it is important to involve youth in intervention development. Objective This study aimed to obtain input from youth on the content of a mobile phone app intended to promote safe sex and increase condom use among youth in Stockholm. Methods This study was conducted at the Youth Health Clinics (YHC) in Stockholm County, Sweden. A total of 15 individual in-depth interviews and 2 focus group discussions (with youth aged 18-23 years) were conducted at the YHC in Stockholm. Areas explored were: (1) youth perceptions of condom use (advantages and obstacles), (2) perceptions of mHealth to promote safe sexual practices, and (3) content development for a mobile phone app to promote safe sex. Results The smartphone app was developed based on the categories that emerged from the data. With regard to content, youth requested sex education, including information on sexually transmitted infections. In addition, condom-specific information, including practical usage technique, advice on how to have the condom talk, and how to decrease shame related to condom use, was requested. Youth suggested different modes to deliver the content, including text messages, movie clips, and push notifications. It was suggested that the tone of the messages delivered should be fun, entertaining, and supportive. The inputs from youth influenced the development of the following sections of the app: Condom Obstacles and Solutions; Quiz; Games; Self-Refection; Challenges; Stories by Peers (stories from peers and information from a doctor); Condom Tips, Pep Talk, and Boosting; and Random Facts. Conclusions It is important to use input from youth when developing a smartphone intervention since the success of the intervention largely depends on the level of engagement and usage by youth. Furthermore, if proven efficient in increasing condom use, it is important that the development, including content and mode, is thoroughly described so that the intervention can be replicated. Likewise, if proven inefficient, it is important to learn from mistakes to improve and adjust the intervention. The effect of this smartphone app on safe sexual practices among youth is being evaluated in a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in Stockholm (ISRCTN13212899) and will be reported separately.

Listening to female sex workers in Vietnam: influences on safe-sex practices with clients and partners

Sexual Health ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doreen Rosenthal ◽  
Tran Thi Kim Oanh
Keyword(s):  
Condom Use ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Female Sex Workers ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sex Worker ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Sex Practices ◽  
Hiv Aids

Background: This qualitative study assessed HIV/AIDS knowledge and frequency of and influences on condom use with clients and regular, non-client partners among female sex workers (FSWs) in Khanh Hoa, a tourist-oriented province of central Vietnam where sex work is common. Methods: Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with indirect (n = 16) and direct (n = 9) FSWs. Results: Although the majority of respondents were well informed about HIV/AIDS transmission, about one-third had inaccurate beliefs about HIV-positive people as well as the mechanisms by which HIV is transmitted from mother to child. Condom use was inconsistent. More direct than indirect FSWs reported using condoms most of the time with clients but none used condoms all the time. With regular partners, most respondents reported that they never used condoms. Around one-third of women hid their sex work from their regular partners, who made the decision to use or not to use condoms. The most frequently reported reasons for not using condoms with clients were because clients offered a higher price, clients insisted on condom-free sex, and possession of condoms as evidence of sex worker status. For regular partners, the reasons were familiarity, condom use being dependent on partner’s decision, and condom use as evidence of sex worker status. There was no apparent relationship between HIV knowledge, time in sex work, and safe sex practices. Conclusion: Recommendations are made to improve the rate of condom use among FSWs.

INTERACTION BETWEEN HIV AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE, SAFE SEX PRACTICE AND HIV PREVALENCE: EVIDENCE FROM BOTSWANA

2012 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 321-344 ◽  
Author(s):  
RANJAN RAY ◽  
KOMPAL SINHA
Keyword(s):  
Condom Use ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Hiv Prevalence ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Sex Partners ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Multiple Sex Partners ◽  
Hiv Awareness ◽  
Sex Practices

SummaryThis paper makes methodological and empirical contributions to the study of HIV in the context of Botswana, a country with high HIV prevalence. Comparable evidence is presented from India to put the Botswana results in perspective. The results point to the strong role played by affluence and education in increasing HIV knowledge, promoting safe sex and reducing HIV prevalence. The study presents African evidence on the role played by the empowerment of women in promoting safe sex practices such as condom use. The lack of significant association between HIV prevalence and safe sex practice points to the danger of HIV-infected individuals spreading the disease through multiple sex partners and unprotected sex. This danger is underlined by the finding that females with multiple sex partners are at higher risk of being infected with HIV. These results take on special policy significance in the context of Botswana, where the issue of multiple sex partners has not been adequately addressed in the programme to contain the spread of HIV.

scholarly journals Development of a Mobile Phone App to Promote Safe Sex Practice Among Youth in Stockholm, Sweden: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Nielsen ◽  
Aspasia Bågenholm ◽  
Ayesha De Costa
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Health ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Sex Education ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Text Messages ◽  
Sexual Practices ◽  
Smartphone App ◽  
Specific Information

BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) has been shown to be effective in increasing knowledge of sexual health among youth. To date, evaluations mostly refer to interventions delivered via computer, email, and text messages. The possibility of downloading apps on mobile devices has opened up opportunities to develop engaging interventions on safe sexual health promotion. To attract young users and have them engage with a sexual health app, it is important to involve youth in intervention development. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to obtain input from youth on the content of a mobile phone app intended to promote safe sex and increase condom use among youth in Stockholm. METHODS This study was conducted at the Youth Health Clinics (YHC) in Stockholm County, Sweden. A total of 15 individual in-depth interviews and 2 focus group discussions (with youth aged 18-23 years) were conducted at the YHC in Stockholm. Areas explored were: (1) youth perceptions of condom use (advantages and obstacles), (2) perceptions of mHealth to promote safe sexual practices, and (3) content development for a mobile phone app to promote safe sex. RESULTS The smartphone app was developed based on the categories that emerged from the data. With regard to content, youth requested sex education, including information on sexually transmitted infections. In addition, condom-specific information, including practical usage technique, advice on how to have the condom talk, and how to decrease shame related to condom use, was requested. Youth suggested different modes to deliver the content, including text messages, movie clips, and push notifications. It was suggested that the tone of the messages delivered should be fun, entertaining, and supportive. The inputs from youth influenced the development of the following sections of the app: <i>Condom Obstacles and Solutions</i>; <i>Quiz</i>; <i>Games</i>; <i>Self-Refection</i>; <i>Challenges</i>; <i>Stories by Peers</i> (stories from peers and information from a doctor); <i>Condom Tips, Pep Talk, and Boosting</i>; and <i>Random Facts</i>. CONCLUSIONS It is important to use input from youth when developing a smartphone intervention since the success of the intervention largely depends on the level of engagement and usage by youth. Furthermore, if proven efficient in increasing condom use, it is important that the development, including content and mode, is thoroughly described so that the intervention can be replicated. Likewise, if proven inefficient, it is important to learn from mistakes to improve and adjust the intervention. The effect of this smartphone app on safe sexual practices among youth is being evaluated in a pragmatic randomized controlled trial in Stockholm (ISRCTN13212899) and will be reported separately.

scholarly journals Source of Safe Sex Knowledge and Sexual Behavior Among University Students

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E. Wagner III
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Condom Use ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Pacific Islanders ◽  
Self Report ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Asian Pacific Islanders ◽  
Asian Pacific ◽  
Sex Knowledge ◽  
Sex Practices

This study was developed to determine if there is a relationship between sources of safe sex practices and individual‟s sexual health behavior, specifically condom use and testing for STIs. Marijuana use and selfesteem were also examined in relation to condom use and testing for STIs. A self-report survey was administered to university students in California. Regression analysis revealed that those who had never used marijuana were more likely to report always using condoms (only among females), but less likely to report having been tested for STIs. Students who received primary information about safe-sex practices from a health care provider were more likely to report having been tested for STIs, while those who received such from the Internet were less likely to have been tested for STIs. Whites were more likely to have been tested than non-Whites, while Asian/Pacific Islanders were less likely to have been tested than non-Asians.

scholarly journals The taboo question

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dang Hong Hai Nguyen ◽  
Lukas Parker ◽  
Linda Brennan ◽  
Alice Clements
Keyword(s):  
Condom Use ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Marketing Campaign ◽  
The Social ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Sex Practices

Purpose – This paper aims to illustrate the need for both upstream and downstream social marketing in relation to condom merchandising in the Vietnamese context. Design/methodology/approach – A mystery shopper audit of condom merchandising practices and retail outlets was undertaken in a number of locations throughout Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In addition to the audits, a series of depth interviews with retailers of condoms on barriers and facilitators for purchase was undertaken. Findings – The research highlighted some very interesting dynamics in relation to condom retailing in Vietnam. Condoms are not always made easy to purchase, through both the merchandising and other choices made by the retailers. While accessibility to condoms is no longer an issue in urban Vietnam considering the increase of condom retailing outlets, lack of easy access is highly problematic and may interfere with actual condom obtainment. As sex is still a taboo topic in Vietnam, this is a serious concern for social marketing in the sexual and reproductive health domain. Practical implications – Given the capacity to portray taboo topics in Vietnamese media context, social marketing will be challenging. The development of a social marketing strategy for macro-, meso- and microlevels will be necessary for successful social marketing. Stigma associated with safe-sex practices and condom use may require a consideration of a social norms social marketing campaign. Originality/value – This research is the first of its kind in the Vietnamese context. While there are a large number of non-governmental organisations campaigning in the region, safe-sex practices and condom use within the general population remains a concern. This research demonstrates that access and availability are key components of the social marketing mix.

Heterosexual relationship characteristics, condom use and safe sex practices

AIDS Care ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 767-782 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. S. Kordoutis ◽  
M. Loumakou ◽  
J. O. Sarafidou
Keyword(s):  
Condom Use ◽  
Safe Sex ◽  
Heterosexual Relationship ◽  
Sex Practices
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