Sexual and reproductive health risk behaviours: higher education students' perceptions / Comportamientos de riesgo en la salud sexual y reproductiva: percepciones de los estudiantes universitarios / Comportamentos de risco para a saúde sexual e reprodutiva: perceções dos estudantes do ensino superior

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand higher education students' perceptions of sexual and reproductive health risk behaviours. Methods: a descriptive study following a qualitative approach was conducted, using Pender's Health Promotion Model as a theoretical and methodological framework. A thematic analysis of the data obtained from different focus groups was performed. Results: participants consider that factors such as communication with their sexual partner, the ability to negotiate and a positive attitude regarding condoms are positive aspects that will encourage consistent use of condom. The embarrassment felt at the time of purchase, the reduction of sexual pleasure and the growing stability of the relationship are usually seen as barriers. Final considerations: the study was crucial to identify some strategies that will be considered in further health promotion programmes, namely peer education, and will help promote personal and social skills and the (re)organisation of healthcare services.

RESUMEN Objetivo: conocer las percepciones de los estudiantes de educación superior sobre las conductas de riesgo en materia de salud sexual y reproductiva. Métodos: estudio descriptivo con un enfoque cualitativo utilizando el Modelo de Promoción de la Salud de Pender como marco teórico y metodológico. Se realizó un análisis temático de los datos obtenidos en los grupos focales. Resultados: una buena comunicación con la pareja sexual, la capacidad de negociación y una actitud positiva hacia el preservativo son aspectos benéficos para un uso regular del preservativo. La vergüenza que mucha gente todavía siente cuando va a comprar condones, la reducción del placer sexual y la estabilidad de la relación amorosa pueden actuar como barreras. Consideraciones Finales: se identificaron las estrategias a tener en cuenta en el diseño de los programas de promoción de la salud sexual, como la educación por pares, para promover las habilidades personales y sociales y la (re)organización de los servicios sanitarios.

RESUMO Objetivo: conhecer as perceções dos estudantes do ensino superior sobre comportamentos de risco sexual e reprodutivo. Métodos: estudo descritivo de abordagem qualitativa, usando como referencial teórico-metodológico o Modelo de Promoção da Saúde de Pender. Foi realizada uma análise temática dos dados obtidos através dos grupos focais. Resultados: os participantes consideram que fatores como a comunicação com o parceiro sexual, a capacidade de negociação e uma atitude positiva face ao uso do preservativo poderão constituir benefícios para uma utilização consistente do preservativo. Já o embaraço para comprar o preservativo, a alegada redução do prazer e a estabilidade da relação amorosa são entendidos como barreiras a esse uso consistente. Considerações finais: foram identificadas estratégias a considerar na criação de programas de promoção da saúde sexual, nomeadamente a educação pelos pares para promover competências pessoais e sociais e a (re)organização dos serviços de saúde.

Consumo de mídias sexualmente explícitas e sexo anal desprotegido em homens que fazem sexo com homens / Consumption of sexually explicit media and unprotected anal sex in men who have sex with men

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência do consumo de mídia sexualmente explícita (MSE) de modalidade bareback na prática de sexo anal sem preservativo por homens que fazem sexo com homens (HSH). Para tanto, foi criada uma página na rede social Facebook® com um link que direcionava os interessados para um questionário. Foram incluídos homens cisgênero, com 18 anos ou mais e que praticaram sexo com outro(s) homem(ns) nos últimos 12 meses. Os dados foram coletados em 2017 e analisados por meio de estatística inferencial (uni)bivariada e regressão logística multivariada. Participaram da pesquisa 2.248 HSH, com média de idade de 24,4 anos e média de 3,9 parceiros nos últimos 30 dias. Possuir múltiplos parceiros sexuais (ORa:9,4; IC95% 3,9-22,4), preferir filmes com cenas bareback (ORa:2,6; IC95% 1,5-4,6), julgar essa prática um fetiche e realizá-lo (ORa:3,52; IC95% 2,3-5,4), ter parceria casual (ORa:1,8; IC95% 1,5-1,9) e ciência do status sorológico negativo do parceiro para o HIV (ORa:1,4; IC95% 1,1-2,3) foram fatores que aumentaram as chances de envolvimento em sexo anal sem preservativo. Dessa forma, verificamos associação entre o consumo de MSE bareback e a prática de sexo sem preservativo entre HSH.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the influence of bareback sexually explicit media (SEM) consumption on anal sex without a condom by men who have sex with men (MSM). To this end, a page was created on the Facebook® social network with a link that directed interested parties to a questionnaire. Cisgender men, aged 18 years and over, who had sex with other men in the last 12 months, were included. Data were collected in 2017 and analyzed using univariate and bivariate inferential statistics and multivariate logistic regression. A total of 2,248 MSM participated in the research, with a mean age of 24.4 years and a mean number of 3.9 partners in the last 30 days. Having multiple sexual partners (ORa: 9.4; 95% CI 3.9-22.4), preferring movies with bareback scenes (ORa: 2.6; 95% CI 1.5-4.6), considering this practice a fetish and realizing it (ORa: 3.52; 95% CI 2.3-5.4), having casual partnerships (ORa: 1.8; 95% CI 1.5-1.9) and being aware of the partner's negative serological status for HIV (ORa: 1.4; 95% CI 1.1-2.3) were factors that increased the likelihood of engaging in anal sex without a condom. Thus, we found an association between the consumption of bareback SEM and sex without a condom among MSM.

Socioeconomic characteristics influence attitudes towards sexuality in adolescents / Características socioeconômicas influenciam as atitudes face à sexualidade em adolescentes

BACKGROUNG: Attitudes Towards Sexuality in Adolescents (ATSA) are built according to the experiences and different social contexts. OBJECTIVES: to analyze attitudes towards sexuality itself, according to socioeconomic factors in adolescents aged. METHODS: Cross-sectional school-based study was carried out with 2,292 adolescents enrolled in high school, in 54 schools, through interviews using the Attitudes Toward Sexuality in Adolescents (AFSA) instrument that has four dimensions, and measures the Permissiveness, Communion, Instrumentality and Sexual Practices. Then, the attitude of each adolescent was classified as: unfavorable, indifferent and favorable. Pearson's Chi-square test and Multinomial Logistic Regression were used in statistical analyses. RESULTS: It was verified that the majority of the adolescents presented unfavorable AFSA, being these behaviors directly associated to: age of 15/16 and 17 years (OR=0.59; OR=0.47); lower secondary education (OR=2.03); adolescent's head of family having low education (OR=2.00); to live with the partner (OR=2.77); race / color black (OR=2.04) and brown (OR=1.88); and lower family income (OR=2.50). CONCLUSION: Adolescents with lower socioeconomic status are more likely to have unfavorable attitudes towards their own sexuality.

INTRODUÇÃO: Atitudes Face à Sexualidade em Adolescentes (AFSA) são construídas conforme as experiências vivenciadas e os diferentes contextos sociais. OBJETIVO: Analisar as atitudes diante da própria sexualidade, de acordo com fatores socioeconômicos em adolescentes. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal de base escolar foi realizado com 2.292 adolescentes matriculados no ensino médio, em 54 escolas, por meio de entrevistas utilizando o instrumento AFSA, com quatro dimensões: Permissividade, Comunhão, Instrumentalidade e Práticas Sexuais. Em seguida, a atitude de cada adolescente foi classificada em: desfavorável, indiferente e favorável. Foram usados os testes Qui-quadrado de Pearson e Regressão Logística Multinomial nas análises estatísticas. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que a maior parte dos adolescentes apresentou AFSA desfavorável, sendo tais comportamentos diretamente associados a: idade de 15/16 e 17 anos (OR=0,59; OR=0,47); menor série do ensino médio (OR=2,03); chefe da família do adolescente ter baixa escolaridade (OR=2,00); conviver com o companheiro (OR=2,77); raça/cor preta (OR=2,04) e parda (OR=1,88); e menor renda familiar (OR=2,50). CONCLUSÃO: Adolescentes com menor nível socioeconômico possuem maior chance de apresentarem atitudes desfavoráveis face à própria sexualidade.

Evaluation on the confidence of refusing unprotected sex behavior and related factors among college students in Zhejiang province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective@#To understand the confidence-related factors of refusing unprotected sex behavior among college students in Zhejiang province.@*Methods@#Stratified cluster random sampling method was conducted among college students from 13 colleges and universities in Zhejiang province, from October to November, 2018. A total of 3 718 students who self-reported "ever having had sexual contacts" were enrolled. Chi-square test was used to compare the confidence of rejecting unprotected sex under different demographic characteristics, sexual attitude/behaviors and different intervention approaches. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the related factors.@*Results@#A total of 3 718 college students were involved in this study with average age as (20.17±1.38) years old and 70.5% (2 620/3 718) were male. The proportions of having confidence to refuse unprotected sex behavior were 74.9% (1 963/2 620) of male and 77.9% (896/1 098) of female students, respectively. According to the results from multivariate logistic regression analysis, factors that related to the confidence of refusing unprotected sex behavior in male students would include, did not accept casual sex behavior (compared with accepted students, OR=2.247, 95%CI: 1.828-2.762), did not accept homosexual behavior (compared with accepted students, OR=1.810, 95%CI: 1.302- 2.516), having casual sex behavior in the past one year (compared with having no sex behavior, OR=1.345, 95%CI: 1.051-1.721), aware of the availability of HIV self-test reagents service in college (compared with did not knew, OR=1.381, 95%CI: 1.011-1.887), having taken the HIV infection risk self-assessment in college (compared with did not take, OR=1.707, 95%CI: 1.374-2.121). In female students, the factors would include: being urban resident (compared with rural residence, OR=1.816, 95%CI: 1.225-2.693), 21 years old or above (compared with 20 years old or below, OR=1.469, 95%CI: 1.075-2.007), having taken the HIV infection risk self-assessment in college (compared with did not take, OR=1.597, 95%CI: 1.093-2.333), etc.@*Conclusions@#Both male and female college students had higher confidence in refusing unprotected sex behavior. For male students, refusing casual or homosexual contacts, having casual sex in the recent year, knowing HIV self-test reagents service and having had HIV-related risk self-assessment in college as related factors. However, for female students; city residence, 21 years old and above, and having a HIV infection risk self- assessment in college appeared as related factors. Sexual health education should be strengthened to reduce unprotective sex behavior and to promote HIV infection risk self-assessment among the college students.

Qualitative study on unprotected sexual behaviors among male students who have sex with men in Beijing / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the related factors of unprotected sexual behaviors among male students who have sex with men in Beijing.@*Methods@#Male students who have sex with men were recruited from May 2018 to July 2018 at two voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) clinics in Beijing by convenient sampling method. Information being collected during in-depth personal interviews with a semi-structured outline included ways to seek sexual partners, sexual partners characteristics, attitude of condom use, incidence and causes of unprotected sexual behaviors, rush poppers and alcohol use. The text information was summarized and analyzed by Nvivo 11.0 software.@*Results@#A total of 35 male students who have sex with men were recruited and interviewed, the median of age was 22 years old (P25-P75: 21-24 years old). We found that incomprehensive knowledge of condom use, low risk perception of non-anal sexual behaviors, rush poppers and alcohol use were risk factors of unprotected sexual behaviors on individual level. Besides, sex with regular sex partners, partners who were much older or not from campus, and insertive partners are more likely to be unprotected. Furthermore, refusal of condom use by sexual partners and low self-efficacy of decision-making on condom use were the main reasons for unprotected sexual behaviors among male student who have sex with men.@*Conclusion@#Lack of condom use knowledge, low risk perception of non-anal sexual behaviors and insufficient ability to refuse non-condom requirements for regular sex partners, partners who were much older or not from campus, and insertive partners are related factors of unprotected sexual behaviors among male students who have sex with men.

Conductas sexuales de riesgo asociadas a las infecciones de transmisión sexual en adolescentes de una comunidad / Risky sexual behaviors associated to sexually transmitted infections among adolescents in a community

Introducción:Las infecciones de transmisión sexual constituyen un grupo heterogéneo de enfermedades de extrema importancia para la salud pública mundial dada su magnitud, trascendencia y repercusión para el paciente, la familia y la sociedad. Afectan con mayor frecuencia a los adolescentes. Objetivo: Identificar conductas de riesgo asociadas a las ITS en la adolescencia. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio analítico de casos de estudio y control para evaluar conductas de riesgos asociadas a las ITS en adolescentes del policlínico California. Se aplicó un cuestionario semiestructurado y anónimo, para la recogida de información, los resultados fueron representados en tablas, calculándose pruebas de significación estadísticas. Resultados: El mayor número estudiado fue entre 18 y 19 años (47.0 por ciento); 50.5 por ciento presentaban cambios frecuentes de parejas; 48 por ciento mantenían relaciones sexuales desprotegidas; la percepción de riesgos de adquirir una ITS, tanto en el grupo de estudio y control fue de 23,2 por ciento y 40,3 por ciento respectivamente. Conclusiones: Las relaciones sexuales no protegidas y los cambios frecuentes de parejas constituyeron conductas sexuales de riesgos relacionadas con las Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual(AU)

Introduction: Sexually transmitted infections constitute a heterogeneous group of diseases of extreme importance for the world public health due to their magnitude, consequence, and repercussion for the patient, the family, and the society. Adolescents are more highly affected by them. Objective: To identify risky behaviors associated to STI in the adolescence. Material and Methods: An analytical case-control study was conducted to evaluate risky behaviors associated to STI in adolescents in California Polyclinic. A semi-structured and anonymous questionnaire was used to attain information, and the results were represented in charts in which significant statistics were calculated. Results: The greatest number studied was the one of 18 and 19 years of age (47.0 percent); 50.5 percent presented frequent changes in their couples; 48 percent maintained unprotected sexual relations; the risk perception of acquiring a STI both in the study and the control group was 23,2 percent and 40,3 percent, respectively. Conclusions: Unprotected sexual relations and frequent changes in couples were the risky sexual behaviors related to Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy for middle school student's unprotected sex: A randomized controlled trial / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of individualized cognitive behavioral therapy for unprotected sex and sexual attitude of middle school students having unprotected sex.Methods:A target sample of 68 adolescents having unprotected sex was recruited from 4 secondary schools in Changsha,Hunan [the unprotected sex (US) score of Health-Risk Behavior Inventory for Chinese Adolescents (HBICA) ≥ 1].Subjects were randomized assigned to cognitive behavioral therapy group (CBT group) and control group.Each group had 34 subjects.The CBT group was giving one-on-one counseling for 6 weeks (50 to 60 minutes weekly).The control group didn't receive intervention by counselors.The US and Attitudes Toward Sexuality Scale (ATSS) were selected as criterion measurements.Outcome assessments were made at baseline and at 1-and 3-month follow-up.Results:The reduction rate of US scores showed that the response rate of therapy was over 80％.Mixed linear model analysis showed that there were significant group effect,time effect and group × time effect in scores of US and ATSS (Ps ＜ 0.05).Simple effect analysis indicated that the scores of US and ATSS of CBT group were significant lower than those of baseline from 1-month follow-up [(2.2 ± 2.9) vs.(4.7 ± 3.1),(3.2 ± 1.6) vs.(4.7 ± 3.1);(38.2 ± 4.9) vs.(40.9 ±5.1),(37.2 ±5.4) vs.(40.9 ±5.1),Ps ＜0.01],whereas the scores of those in the control group did not show any significant difference (Ps ＞0.05).At l-month and 3 month follow-up,moderate effect sizes were found for the CBT and control groups on all the outcome measures (Cohen's d =0.50-0.70).Conclusion:The individualized cognitive behavioral therapy could effectively reduce the level of unprotected sex and sexual attitude of adolescents having unprotected sex.

Unprotected sexual intercourse and its correlates within HIV serodiscordant couples in Dehong prefecture of Yunnan Province, China, in 2014 / 中华预防医学杂志

Objective@#To study the prevalence and correlates of unprotected sexual intercourse within HIV serodiscordant couples in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, in 2014.@*Methods@#This study was based on the follow-up investigation of "the AIDS cohort of seronegative spouses of HIV-infected individuals in Dehong prefecture" in 2014. The 1 520 participants were HIV seronegative spouses from all five counties/cities of Dehong prefecture who voluntarily participated in the cohort. Inclusion criteria included: having a HIV-positive spouse; ≥16 years of age; having had sexual intercourse with spouse in the past year; and being a resident of Dehong prefecture. Information on HIV-positive spouses were also collected through the local AIDS epidemic database. Chi square analysis was performed to compare differences in the rates of unprotected sexual intercourse between participants with different characteristics and lifestyle choices. Multivariable logistic regression model analysis was performed to determine correlates with unprotected sexual intercourse.@*Results@#The 1 520 participants had a mean age of 38.7±9.4, compared with 39.7±8.9 for their HIV-positive spouses. Among the HIV-positive spouses, 77.8% (1 183/1 520) had been infected for more than 3 years, and 87.6% (1 332/1 520) had received antiretroviral therapy. The prevalence of unprotected sexual intercourse within serodiscordant couples over the past 12 months was 16.1% (244/1 520). The prevalence of unprotected sexual intercourse correlated with the level of education of HIV-negative spouses (illiterate vs. middle school and above, OR=1.58, P=0.044), the number of years since diagnosis of HIV-positive spouses (short vs. long, OR=1.6, P=0.006), antiretroviral therapy of HIV-positive spouses (no vs. yes, OR=2.78, P<0.001), the frequency of sexual intercourse per month (high vs. low, OR=1.66, P=0.019), and whether the couple had children (no vs. yes, OR=1.72, P=0.007).@*Conclusion@#The prevalence of unprotected sexual intercourse within serodiscordant couples in Dehong prefecture was relatively high in 2014. Factors found to correlate with the occurrence of unprotected sexual intercourse within these couples included illiteracy of HIV-negative spouses, short time since diagnosis of HIV-positive spouses and lack of antiretroviral therapy, high frequency of sexual intercourse and no children.

Relações sexuais desprotegidas entre usuários de crack no Estado de Pernambuco / Unprotected sex among crack users in the Pernambuco state

Introdução: Altas prevalências de HIV e relações sexuais desprotegidas têm sido frequentemente verificadas entre usuários de drogas, mesmo nas formas não injetáveis, como o crack, sendo, portanto, uma das práticas, persistentes de disseminação desse vírus no Brasil. Objetivos: Estimar a prevalência de relações sexuais desprotegidas e seus fatores associados, entre sexo, em usuários de crack no Estado de Pernambuco. Materiais e métodos: Estudo de corte-transversal, de uma amostra de usuários de crack atendidos pelo Programa ATITUDE em Pernambuco, realizado entre 2014 e 2015. Foram considerados usuários de crack aqueles indivíduos que atenderam ao critério da Organização Pan-americana de Saúde para definição de usuários de drogas de alto risco de transmitir HIV. Para verificação de diferenças por sexo foi empregado o teste qui quadrado. O efeito dos fatores estudados sobre as relações sexuais desprotegidas foi estimado por meio do modelo de regressão simples e as variáveis com p 0,20 foram selecionados para análise multivariada, sendo considerado o nível de significância de 5 por cento. Resultados: Foram analisados 1.062 casos (819 do sexo masculino e 243 do sexo feminino). O maior percentual tinha de 25 a 34 anos (46 por cento), de cor parda (65,1 por cento), e vivendo em situação de rua (56,9 por cento). O uso inconsistente do preservativo entre os homens (74,7 por cento) foi associado a está na vigência de drogas; não uso do preservativo na primeira relação sexual; autopercepção de grande chance de infectar-se por HIV; ter parceiro fixo; e não ter acesso a preservativo...

JACQUES, Iracema de Jesus Almeida Alves. Unprotected sex among crack users in the Pernambuco state. 2016. Dissertação (Mestrado Acadêmico em Saúde Pública) -Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife. 2016ABSTRACTIntroduction:High prevalence of HIV and unprotected sex have often been observed among drug users, even in non-injectable forms, such as crack, therefore, being considered one of the practices related to the dissemination of HIV in Brazil. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of unprotected sex and its associated factors, among sex, in the crack users of the Pernambuco State. Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional cohort study from a sample of crack users assisted by ATTITUDE Program in Pernambuco, carried out between 2014 and 2015. Were considered as crack users those individuals who meet the criteria of the Pan American Health Organization for drug users with high risk of to transmit HIV. To verify differences according to sex we used the chi-squared test. The effect of the factors studied over unprotected sex was estimated by simple regression model and the variables with p <0.20 were selected for multivariate analysis, being considered the ignificance level of 5%. Results: Were analyzed 1,062 cases, being 819 (77.1%) male and 243 (22.9%) female. The highest percentage were between 25 and 34 years (46%), single (80.2%), skin color brown (65.1%), and living on the streets (56.9 %)...

Os jovens homossexuais masculinos e sua saúde: uma revisão sistemática / Young male homosexuals and their health: a systematic review / Los jóvenes homosexuales masculinos y su salud: una revisión sistemática

Com o objetivo de analisar a literatura acadêmica de abordagem sociocultural acerca da relação entre os temas homossexualidade masculina, homem jovem e saúde, realizou-se uma revisão baseada na análise de conteúdo temática de 37 artigos selecionados, nas bases de dados Medline e Lilacs, entre 2004 e 2013. A escassez de literatura na perspectiva sociocultural apontou para obstáculos e desafios, relacionados à promoção de saúde, que vão desde a qualidade da informação, passando por valores simbólicos inconscientes, até a efetivação de propostas de gestores de saúde. Concluiu-se que a hegemonia heterossexual encontra-se presente nas estruturas inconscientes da construção da homossexualidade, contribuindo para a perpetuação do habitus heteronormativo. Estudos que valorizam o encontro do saber técnico com o conhecimento que cada um produz, referido a seus valores pessoais e culturais, podem servir de subsídio para o maior aprofundamento dessa discussão...

This review aimed to analyze the academic literature with a sociocultural approach regarding the relationship between topics of male homosexuality, young men and health. It was based on thematic content analysis on 37 articles published between 2004 and 2013 that were selected from the Medline and Lilacs databases. The scarcity of literature on the sociocultural perspective showed that there were obstacles and challenges relating to health promotion, ranging from the quality of information to unconscious symbolic values and how proposals from healthcare managers are put into effect. It was concluded that heterosexual hegemony is present in the unconscious structures of the construct of homosexuality, thereby contributing towards perpetuation of the heteronormative habitus. Studies valuing the meeting point of technical knowledge with the knowledge that each individual produces, relating to personal and cultural values, may serve as a basis for deepening this discussion...

Con el objetivo de analizar la literatura académica de abordaje sociocultural sobre la relación entre homosexualidad masculina, hombre joven y salud, se realizó una revisión basada en el análisis de contenido temático de 37 artículos seleccionados en Medline y Lilacs, entre 2004 y 2013. La escasez de literatura en la perspectiva sociocultural señaló obstáculos y desafíos relacionados con la promoción de la salud que van desde la calidad de la información, pasando por valores simbólicos inconscientes, hasta la efectuación de propuestas de gestores de salud. Se concluyó que la hegemonía heterosexual se encuentra presente en las estructuras inconscientes de la construcción de la homosexualidad, contribuyendo para la perpetuación del habitus heteronormativo. Estudios que valorizan el encuentro del saber técnico con el conocimiento que cada uno produce, referido a sus valores personales y culturales, pueden servir de subsidio para una mayor profundización de esa discusión...

Emergency contraception - Potential for women's health.

Emergency contraception (EC) is a safe and effective method which is used to prevent unwanted pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. Many of the unwanted pregnancies end in unsafe abortions. The search for an ideal contraceptive, which does not interfere with spontaneity or pleasure of the sexual act, yet effectively controls the fertility, is still continuing. Numerous contraceptive techniques are available, yet contraceptive coverage continues to be poor in India. Thus, even when not planning for a pregnancy, exposure to unprotected sex takes place often, necessitating the use of emergency contraception. This need may also arise due to failure of contraceptive method being used (condom rupture, diaphragm slippage, forgotten oral pills) or following sexual assault. Emergency contraception is an intervention that can prevent a large number of unwanted pregnancies resulting from failure of regular contraception or unplanned sexual activity, which in turn helps in reducing the maternal mortality and morbidity due to unsafe abortions. However, a concern has been expressed regarding repeated and indiscriminate usage of e-pill, currently the rational use of emergency contraception is being promoted as it is expected to make a significant dent in reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions. In fact, since the introduction of emergency contraception, the contribution of unsafe abortion towards maternal mortality has declined from 13 to 8 per cent.

Psychological distress and substance abuse in Jamaican youths living with HIV/AIDS / Distrés psicológico y abuso de sustancias en los jóvenes jamaicanos con VIH/SIDA

OBJECTIVE: Current epidemiological research indicates that HIV/AIDS endures and continues to be a significant vulnerability among adolescents and youths despite the increased access to antiretroviral drugs and the reduction in the global progression of the disease. This study examined the association between substance use and psychological distress within the Jamaican population of youths coping with the illness. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional survey that utilized a correlational design. The sample population consisted of 62 youths, age range 15-25 years, living with HIV/AIDS. Sociodemographic information was gathered through interviews and self-report scales were used to measure depression, anxiety, stress and substance use. Chi-square was used to assess the relationship between the variables under study: psychological distress and substance use. RESULTS: More than half the sample were heterosexuals who contracted the virus through consensual intercourse. The average age of respondents was 21.29 years and slightly more than half were female (56.5%). The majority of respondents were single (54.8%), unemployed (73%), heterosexual (69.4%) youths with a secondary level education (63%). There was a statistically significant relationship between psychological distress and substance use (χ2 = 7.3959, df = 3, p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: The emotional needs of youths living with HIV/AIDS are just as important as their medical needs.

OBJETIVO: La investigación epidemiológica actual indica que el VIH/SIDA perdura y sigue siendo un aspecto de vulnerabilidad significativa entre los adolescentes y jóvenes, a pesar del aumento del acceso a medicamentos antirretrovirales y la reducción de la progresión global de la enfermedad. Este estudio examinó la asociación entre el uso de sustancias y el distrés psicológico dentro de la población jamaicana de jóvenes que luchan con la enfermedad. MÉTODO: Este es un estudio transversal que utilizó un diseño correlacional. La muestra poblacional consistió de 62 jóvenes, años rango 15-25 años viven con el VIH/SIDA. Se recogió información sociodemográfica a través de entrevistas y se usaron escalas de autoreporte para medir la depresión, la ansiedad, el estrés, y el uso de sustancias. El chi-cuadrado fue utilizado para evaluar la relación entre las variables objeto de estudio: el distrés psicológico y el uso de sustancias. RESULTADOS: Más de la mitad de la muestra estuvo formada por heterosexuales que contrajeron el virus a través de relaciones sexuales consensuales. La edad promedio de los encuestados fue 21.29 años, y poco más de la mitad eran mujeres (56.5%). La mayoría de los encuestados eran solteros (54.8%), desempleados (73%), jóvenes heterosexuales (69.4%) con una educación de nivel secundario (63%). Hubo una relación estadísticamente significativa entre el distrés psicológico y el uso de sustancias (χ2 = 7.3959, df = 3, p = 0.047). CONCLUSIÓN: Las necesidades emocionales de los jóvenes que viven con el VIH/SIDA son tan importantes como sus necesidades médicas.