Capacity to consent to sexual relationships in adults with learning disabilities.
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People with learning disabilities used to be seen as asexual or promiscuous and were discouraged from expressing their sexuality. However, with the growth of the rights movement, attention has turned to the dilemma of how to both empower and protect people with learning disabilities in relation to their sexuality. A recent research project showed that, on average, adults with learning disabilities knew much less about sex and understood much less about sexual abuse than non-disabled young people aged 16 years. Sex education made a significant difference to their knowledge and understanding however. The implications of the study for services for people with learning disabilities and for definitions of capacity to consent to sexual relationships are discussed. (+info)
Effect of social exclusion on the risk of teenage pregnancy: development of hypotheses using baseline data from a randomised trial of sex education.
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STUDY OBJECTIVE: The UK government argues that "social exclusion" increases risk of teenage pregnancy and that educational factors may be dimensions of such exclusion. The evidence cited by the government is limited to reporting that socioeconomic disadvantage and educational attainment influence risk. Evidence regarding young people's attitude to school is not cited, and there is a lack of research concerning the UK. This paper develops hypotheses on the relation between socioeconomic and educational dimensions of social exclusion, and risk of teenage pregnancy, by examining whether dislike of school and socioeconomic disadvantage are associated with cognitive/behavioural risk measures among 13/14 year olds in English schools. DESIGN: Analysis of data from the baseline survey of a study of sex education. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 13/14 year old school students from south east England. MAIN RESULTS: The results indicate that socioeconomic disadvantage and dislike of school are associated with various risk factors, each with a different pattern. Those disliking school, despite having comparable knowledge to those liking school, were more likely to have sexual intercourse, expect sexual intercourse by age 16, and expect to be parents by the age of 20. For most associations, the crude odds ratios (ORs) and the ORs adjusted for the other exposure were similar, suggesting that inter-confounding between exposures was limited. CONCLUSIONS: It is hypothesised that in determining risk of teenage pregnancy, the two exposures are independent. Those disliking school might be at greater risk of teenage pregnancy because they are more likely to see teenage pregnancy as inevitable or positive. (+info)
Men's use of sexual health services.
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CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Previous research on users of sexual health services has focused primarily on women. However, a focus on men also is needed to address sexual ill-health. This paper uses various data sources to describe the level of, and trends in, men's use of sexual health services in England. DATA SOURCES: Routine data are presented on clients of family planning clinics (FPCs), Brook Advisory Centres and attendances at genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics. Cross-sectional surveys used include the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles, Morbidity Statistics from General Practice and the National Gay Men's Sex Survey. RESULTS: The number of male clients attending FPCs has increased by 160% over the 1990s. Most of this increase is due to more men obtaining condoms. The ages of these clients are unknown, but data from Brook Advisory Centres show an increase among younger men. The one service for which male and female use is approximately equal is GUM. Male cases of sexually transmitted infections and other treatments have increased over the 1990s, although not at the same rate as female cases. Use of GUM clinics by homosexually active men is much greater than by all men. Recent data on men's use of general practice for sexual health are lacking. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: While overall service use among men is still at a comparatively low level, it has increased over the 1990s for some services. Further in-depth research should question men's wants and demands from sexual health services. (+info)
Promoting sexual health services to young men: findings from focus group discussions.
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CONTEXT: Recently, increasing interest has been shown in men's reproductive health, sexual behaviour and use of contraception. As the majority of sexual health service clients are female, however, little research has been done on the characteristics and needs of male clients. OBJECTIVE: Using data from focus group discussions, this paper considers whether young men need sexual health services, whether current services are appropriate and accessible, and what promotion strategies might increase service uptake. DESIGN: Nine focus group discussions with 75 men aged 13-21 years at different locations in England. RESULTS: Young men's decision-making around sexual health may involve seeking advice from a close friend, but is less likely in some male social groups. Use of services by young men is most likely to obtain free condoms, or to remedy a crisis situation. While a young man is becoming familiar with obtaining condoms from a service, the need for a quick, straightforward service seems important. The stereotypical view within the groups was that sexual health services are women-oriented. However, suggestions are given to make services more youth- and male-friendly. Promotion should aim to increase awareness and advance a positive image of a sexual health service. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Effective promotion campaigns (designed with the input of local young men), combined with appropriate and accessible services, should help to increase service use among young men. (+info)
Family planning in the balance.
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Family planning has long been acknowledged as an effective public health intervention. In recent years, however, family planning has come under increased scrutiny from conservative politicians and constituents. National US policies instituted since 2001 are resulting in cutbacks in family planning programs worldwide. In the long run, these conservative initiatives may set back several decades of progress in reproductive health and reproductive rights. In promoting an ideologically driven approach to sexual and reproductive health, the recent policy developments threaten to subvert ethical standards of medical care and the principle of evidence-based policy. (+info)
Draw the line/respect the line: a randomized trial of a middle school intervention to reduce sexual risk behaviors.
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OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the long-term effectiveness of Draw the Line/Respect the Line, a theoretically based curriculum designed to reduce sexual risk behaviors among middle school adolescents. METHODS: The randomized controlled trial involved 19 schools in northern California. A cohort of 2829 sixth graders was tracked for 36 months. RESULTS: The intervention delayed sexual initiation among boys, but not girls. Boys in the intervention condition also exhibited significantly greater knowledge than control students, perceived fewer peer norms supporting sexual intercourse, had more positive attitudes toward not having sex, had stronger sexual limits, and were less likely to be in situations that could lead to sexual behaviors. Psychosocial effects for girls were limited. CONCLUSIONS: The program was effective for boys, but not for girls. (+info)
A study in sexual health applying the principles of community-based participatory research.
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The principles of community-based participatory research were applied to an exploratory sexual health study that examined "cruising for sex" among men on a college campus. In the context of a study seeking a broad interpretation of the health implications of cruising, and when faced with methodological challenges, the researchers found these principles to provide invaluable guidance. A review of the research process is offered and the manner in which the principles of community-based participatory research were operationalized for this study is described. (+info)
Representing young people's sexuality in the 'youth' media.
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This paper reports findings from a content analysis of the main messages about sexuality in media outlets consumed by young people. It examines how sexuality is represented and the level of sexual health information provided in some UK magazines and TV programmes targeted at young people. Our findings show that such outlets included a vast range of useful discussion including information about health concerns and in-depth exploration of issues such as consent and examples of couples exploring whether or not they were 'ready' for sex. In particular, the right of girls to 'say no' was vividly fore-grounded in several teen dramas and magazines. However, coverage was also characterized by certain limitations. A clear pattern was evident whereby contraception and managing 'how far to go' were depicted as women's responsibility. There was a limited range of representations for young men, a lack of positive images of lesbian and gay teenagers, and a failure to represent diversity. There were also no examples of how people might raise concerns such as safer sex. In this context, health educators need to be aware of both the richness and the limitations of current mainstream representations in order to work with and through the media to improve the quality and range of material for young people. (+info)