Sexual Sensation Seeking: A Validated Scale for Spanish Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual People.

Sexual Sensation Seeking has been identified as a main predictor of unsafe sex that particularly affects LGB people. This study adapts and validates the Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale to Spanish LGB people. For this purpose, we tested the factor structure in 1237 people, ranged from 17 to 60 years old, 880 self-defined as homosexuals and 357 as bisexuals. The results support the appropriateness of this scale for Spanish LGB people and determine two factors, explaining the 49.91% of variance: "physical sensations attraction" and "sexual experiences". Our findings reveal optimal levels of internal consistency in the total scale (α = 0.81) and each factor (α = 0.84 and α = 0.71). Additional analyses have demonstrated convergent validity for this scale. Important implications of the validated Sexual Sensation Seeking Scale in Spanish LGB people are discussed, in order to early detection and preventive interventions for HIV and other sexual health problems.

Peer-Led or Expert-Led Intervention in HIV Prevention Efficacy? A Randomized Control Trial Among Spanish Young People to Evaluate Their Role.

HIV new infections still affect young people around the world. In this context, behavioral interventions seem to be effective in promoting safe sex although some conditions are still inconclusive in different regions. For example, there is insufficient evidence about who may be the best facilitator. For this reason, this study evaluates the effectiveness of peer and expert facilitators for HIV prevention aimed at Spanish young people. For this purpose 225 Spanish college students, aged between 18 and 25 (74.20% women and 25.80% men), were involved in an experimental design to evaluate the facilitators' effect in a brief intervention for HIV prevention. Participants' results were measured by three HIV preventive variables (knowledge, beliefs, and protective sex behavior in vaginal sex, anal sex, and sex after drugs consumption). Our findings reveal that both facilitators, experts and peers, have improved the HIV-associated factors and safe sex behaviors. Therefore, facilitators' status would not be so relevant for effectiveness in HIV prevention aimed at Spanish young people. To facilitate decision making in HIV prevention, we should study in depth what other variables make more effective facilitators.

Spanish Adaptation and Validation of the Short Internalized Homonegativity Scale (SIHS).

Internalized homophobia has been related to mental health problems and sexual risk behaviors among nonheterosexual people. This article validates the Spanish adaptation of the Short Internalized Homonegativity Scale (SIHS). For this purpose, 347 men and 183 women completed the instrument. Exploratory factorial analysis showed three factors: public identification as homosexual (PIH), sexual comfort with homosexual people (SEXC), and social comfort with homosexual people (SOCC). These factors explained 57.96% of total variance. In addition, confirmatory factorial analysis supported this structure and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was.80 for the full scale. The three subscales ranged from.70 to.79. Convergent validity showed a positive correlation between the SIHS and depressive symptoms, and negative correlation with condom use, self-esteem, and having sex after alcohol consumption. In conclusion, the SIHS could be an accurate instrument to evaluate internalized homophobia among the Spanish population.

Sexual Compulsivity and Sexual Sensation Seeking: A Preliminary Approach Among Male Sex Workers Compared to Gay Men in Spain.

This study aims to explore sexual compulsivity (SC) and sexual sensation seeking (SSS) in male sex workers (MSWs) compared to a group of non-MSW gay men. A total of 60 MSWs and 63 gay men answered the SC Scale and the SSS Scale. The total scales' mean score was slightly higher in the MSW population. Still, statistical differences were observed in only two SSS items. In spite of the absence of statistical significance, MSWs presented more sexual behavior interferences on their lives and higher failure to control sexual impulses. Future interventions among MSWs should focus on sexual self-control and impulsivity.

Effectiveness of HIV prevention for women: what is working?

The HIV-AIDS remains a public health problem which disproportionally affects women. However, prevention strategies have rarely considered their specific efficacy for them. For this reason, this study examines the differential effectiveness of six intervention elements based on socio-cognitive theories addressing young women. A controlled between-groups design examined the change in risk profile among 167 young Spanish women (mean age 21.3 years old) involved in five sexual risk prevention interventions (informative talk, attitudinal discussion, role-play, fear induction and informative website) and one control non-intervening group (waiting list). Our findings support the differential efficacy of some HIV preventive intervention elements comparing others for women. In particular, the attitudinal discussion stands out followed by the informative talk and the role play. Contrarily, the fear induction component did not reveal relevant improvements. This study provides new evidence related to HIV prevention. Particularly, the higher efficacy of motivational components for these young Spanish women is revealed.

Sexual compulsivity scale: adaptation and validation in the spanish population.

Sexual compulsivity has been studied in relation to high-risk behavior for sexually transmitted infections. The aim of this study was the adaptation and validation of the Sexual Compulsivity Scale to a sample of Spanish young people. This scale was applied to 1,196 (891 female, 305 male) Spanish college students. The results of principal components factor analysis using a varimax rotation indicated a two-factor solution. The reliability of the Sexual Compulsivity Scale was found to be high. Moreover, the scale showed good temporal stability. External correlates were examined through Pearson correlations between the Sexual Compulsivity Scale and other constructs related with HIV prevention. The authors' results suggest that the Sexual Compulsivity Scale is an appropriate measure for assessing sexual compulsivity, showing adequate psychometric properties in the Spanish population.

The influence of drug consumption on condom use and other aspects related to HIV infection among male sex workers in Spain.

Higher rates of substance use have been associated with unsafe sex behavior. Male sex workers (MSW) present high rates of drug use during or after the professional sexual exchange with clients and also in their leisure. This research describes patterns of drug consumption among MSW in Spain and explores both the effect of substance use on professional and risk sexual behaviors. Participants were 100 agency MSW offering their services in Valencia and Castellón (Spain). Most of them were drug users and the most common substances were "soft drugs" and cocaine. An absence of injection drugs was found. Drug consumers indicated a higher HIV risk perceived and lower perceived influence of substance use on condom use negotiation. Drug influence on condom use is not clear. More investigation about drug influence on sexual risk behaviors among MSW is needed. The role of steady partners and clients must be taken into account too.

[Behavioral disorders prevalence in pediatrics primary care: region of Valencia, Spain, 2009]. / Alteraciones del comportamiento. Prevalencia en las consultas de pediatría de atención primaria: Comunidad Valenciana, 2009.

BACKGROUND: Childhood and adolescence mental health needs a proper monitoring. The aim is to estimate behavioral disorders prevalence in paediatric primary care in the Region of Valencia (Spain) and to describe its distribution according to sex, age and impact areas. METHODS: Cross-sectional research. Region of Valencia's Health Surveillance Network observed along 2009 the behavioral disorders in patients primary health care between 3 and 14 years old. Prevalence and confidence intervals at 95% were calculated. Chi-square test (p<0,05) was calculated to explore the differences in behavioral disorders according to sex, age and impact areas. RESULTS: Total cases notified were 626. Out of participants 70% were boys. The estimate overall prevalence for the population between 3-14 years old was 351 per 10.000 (IC95%: 330-372), 491(IC95%:456-525) in boys and 202 (IC95%:179-226) in girls. Hyperactivity was the highest prevalence (85 per 10.000, CI: 74-95). The 7-10 age grup years old had the highest prevalence (428 per 10.000, IC95%:367-489). The impact in the family was 69,4% in boys and 65,9% in girls (p<0,5). CONCLUSIONS: The Behavioral Disorders prevalence found in paediatrics patients in primary care was important, showed different epidemiologic profile as function of age and sex, and proved the family was the principal impact area.

Alteraciones del comportamiento. Prevalencia en las consultas de pediatría de atención primaria. Comunidad Valenciana, 2009 / Behavioral disorders prevalence in pediatrics primary care. Region of Valencia, Spain, 2009

Fundamentos: La salud mental de la infancia y la adolescencia requiere una monitorización adecuada. El objetivo de este trabajo es estimar la prevalencia de las alteraciones del comportamiento (AC) atendidas en pediatría de atención primaria en la Comunitat Valenciana (CV) y describir su distribución en función del sexo, la edad y sus áreas de impacto. Métodos: Estudio transversal. La Red Centinela Sanitaria de la CV (34 pediatras) vigiló durante 2009 las AC en sujetos de entre 3 y 14 años, con una cobertura del 4% de la población de referencia. Se calcularon las prevalencias e intervalos de confianza al 95%. Se estudiaron las diferencias en las AC en función del sexo, edad y áreas de impacto mediante chi2, con una p<0,05. Resultados: Se notificaron 626 casos, el 70% fueron niños. La estimación de la prevalencia total de AC para la población valenciana de 3-14 años fue de 351 por 10.000 (IC95%:330-372), 491(IC95%:456-525) en niños y 202(IC95%:179-226) en niñas. El grupo de edad entre los 7- 10 años alcanzó la mayor prevalencia (428 por 10.000) (IC95%:367- 489). La hiperactividad presentó la mayor prevalencia (85 por 10.000, IC:74-95). El impacto en la familia fue 69,4% en niños y 65,9% en niñas (p< 0,5). Conclusiones: Las AC atendidas en pediatría de atención primaria en la CV presentaron una prevalencia importante, con un perfil epidemiológico diferenciado por edad y sexo, siendo la familia el principal entorno sobre el que se observó su impacto(AU)

Background: Childhood and adolescence mental health needs a propermonitoring. The aimis to estimate behavioral disorders prevalence in paediatric primary care in the Region of Valencia (Spain) and to describe its distribution according to sex, age and impact areas. Methods: Cross-sectional research. Region of Valencia’s Health Surveillance Network observed along 2009 the behavioral disorders in patients primary health care between 3 and 14 years old. Prevalence and confidence intervals at 95% were calculated. Chi-square test (p<0,05) was calculated to explore the differences in behavioral disorders according to sex, age and impact areas. Results: Total cases notified were 626. Out of participants 70% were boys. The estimate overall prevalence for the population between 3-14 years old was 351 per 10.000 (IC95%: 330-372), 491(IC95%:456- 525) in boys and 202 (IC95%:179-226) in girls. Hyperactivity was the highest prevalence (85 per 10.000, CI: 74-95). The 7-10 age grup years old had the highest prevalence (428 per 10.000, IC95%:367-489). The impact in the family was 69,4% in boys and 65,9% in girls (p<0,5). Conclusions: The Behavioral Disorders prevalence found in paediatrics patients in primary care was important, showed different epidemiologic profile as function of age and sex, and proved the family was the principal impact area(AU)