The relationship between chronic diseases and number of sexual partners: an exploratory analysis

Investigating fertility health knowledge and lifestyle risk factors among Nigerian university students: A cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVES

Adolescents who are unaware of infertility risk factors and the long-term health effects of their lifestyle choices may participate in unsafe sexual and lifestyle behaviors. Their reproductive goals and health may be affected by such behaviors. Adolescents' awareness of male and female infertility risk factors was assessed, along with lifestyle risk variables related to sexual behavior and psychoactive substance use. The causes of inconsistent condom use were also examined.

METHODS

In 2022, a cross-sectional survey was undertaken involving 598 sexually active university students from Nigeria (18.6 years±0.9), the majority of whom were female (57.2 %). Descriptive statistics, bivariate analysis, and binary logistic regression were utilized in the data analysis to determine the influence of lifestyle factors and levels of knowledge on fertility.

RESULTS

Most participants had a moderate understanding of male and female infertility risk factors. The results showed that female students were more informed. Multiple sexual partners and psychoactive substance use were common lifestyle variables. Younger female students, those with several partners, and participants who frequently used alcohol and narcotics used condoms inconsistently.

CONCLUSIONS

The study emphasizes the need for fertility health and lifestyle risk education for Nigerian youth. Despite moderate knowledge, lifestyle implications on fertility are unclear. Fertility health education in schools could help students make informed reproductive choices and lower the risk of infertility and chronic diseases. Research is needed to confirm findings and inform nationwide targeted interventions.

Correlates of Sexual Behavior Across Fatherhood Status: Finding From the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), 2016-2018

Amid national trends in postponed parenthood and more diverse family structures, the fatherhood identity may be important to men's sexual behaviors. This study examined factors associated with reports of consistent contraceptive use and multiple sexual partners across fatherhood status. Using public data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), Wave V (2016-2018), two sexual behaviors were examined among 1,163 men aged 32 to 42 years. Outcomes were two binary indicators: consistent contraceptive use with partner and having multiple (≥2) sexual partners in the past year. Fatherhood status was categorized as nonfather, resident father, and nonresident father. Demographic (e.g., race/ethnicity, education, income, and relationship type) and health-related (e.g., drinking, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and insurance status) factors were considered. Logistic regression analysis produced odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals and were stratified by fatherhood categories. In the sample, 72% of men were resident fathers, 10% were nonresident fathers, and 18% were nonfathers; 28% reported consistent contraceptive use and 16% reported multiple sexual partners. For nonfathers, relationship type and race were associated with reporting multiple sexual partners. For resident fathers, relationship type was the crucial factor associated with consistent contraceptive use and reporting multiple sexual partners. In nonresident fathers, relationship type, education, and income were important factors to consistent contraceptive use and reporting multiple sexual partners. Key findings suggest that relationship type, income, and education are crucial factors to men's sexual behavior. Heterogeneous effects were observed across fatherhood status. This study adds to limited research on fatherhood and sexual behavior among men transitioning from young adulthood to middle age.

COVID-19: the unmet need for family planning and its effects on sexuality: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE:

This study was conducted to examine the effect of women’s unmet family planning needs on their sexual functions during the COVID-19 pandemic period.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 319 women of childbearing age across Turkey between April and May 2021. Data were obtained through online questionnaires using the “Survey Form” and the Female Sexual Functıon Index.

RESULTS:

It was observed that 46.77% of the participants had difficulty in accessing the family planning method, the most used family planning method during the pandemic period was the withdrawal method with 52.35%, and there was a significant difference between them and the pre-pandemic method (p<0.05). In the regression analysis, it was shown that a one-unit increase in the difficulty of accessing the family planning method and the place reached parameter would lead to an increase of 0.33 points in the sexual function probability of women.

CONCLUSIONS:

It was observed that women of childbearing age living in Turkey had limited access to family planning services during the pandemic, those who used modern methods before the pandemic had to prefer the traditional method, and the sexual functions of women who had fear of becoming pregnant were adversely affected.

Cancer Susceptibility as a Cost of Reproduction and Contributor to Life History Evolution

Reproduction is one of the most energetically demanding life-history stages. As a result, breeding individuals often experience trade-offs, where energy is diverted away from maintenance (cell repair, immune function) toward reproduction. While it is increasingly acknowledged that oncogenic processes are omnipresent, evolving and opportunistic entities in the bodies of metazoans, the associations among reproductive activities, energy expenditure, and the dynamics of malignant cells have rarely been studied. Here, we review the diverse ways in which age-specific reproductive performance (e.g., reproductive aging patterns) and cancer risks throughout the life course may be linked via trade-offs or other mechanisms, as well as discuss situations where trade-offs may not exist. We argue that the interactions between host–oncogenic processes should play a significant role in life-history theory, and suggest some avenues for future research.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Sexual Function of Health Professionals From an Epicenter in Brazil

Introduction

The pandemic caused by the COVID-19 resulted in worldwide social isolation and leading to significant personal distress, particularly among health professionals on the front lines. Those factors' relevance and their impact on sexual function in this population have not yet been established.

Aim

To evaluate the impact of the pandemic on sexual function in healthcare professionals and medical students at a reference center in the treatment of COVID-19 in Brazil.

Methods

A cross-sectional analysis with online questionnaires about sexual function was sent to health professionals and medical students from the HC-FMUSP medical complex. The questionnaire evaluated Total Sexual and Masturbatory Frequency prior and during the pandemic, libido and sexual satisfaction changes with a detailed inquire about demographics and personal factors. An objective assessment of sexual function was also made using the validated sexual quotient questionnaires.

Main Outcome Measures

Differences in intercourse frequency, libido, and overall sexual satisfaction, in a sample of healthcare professionals particularly vulnerable to the pandemic effects.

Results

A total of 1,314 responses were available with a mean age of 37 years. Worsening of sexual satisfaction was reported by 44.5% of the participants, with the following associated factors: Lower libido, missing Nightlife, Higher Masturbatory Frequency, and isolation from the partner. Remaning sexualy actively and having higher sexual frequency appear to decrease the chance of worsening sexual function. Worsening of Libido was reported by 37% and had several associated factors, including missing of Nightlife, older age, isolation from the partner among others. Being male and sexually active was associated with a smaller chance of reporting lower libido.

Conclusion

We were able to observe a sharp drop in Libido and General Sexual Satisfaction. Although an increase in pornography consumption and masturbatory frequency did occur, these factors were not associated with greater sexual satisfaction. The impact of COVID-19 on this population's sexual health is not to be underestimated and should be further studied in the follow-up of the pandemic. Neto RP, Nascimento BCG, Carvalho dos Anjos Silva G, et al. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Sexual Function of Health Professionals From an Epicenter in Brazil. Sex Med 2021;9:100408

Reducing Sexual and Reproductive Health Inequities Between Natives and Migrants: A Delphi Consensus for Sustainable Cross-Cultural Healthcare Pathways

The increasing number of international migrants (ranging from 153 million in 1990 to ~272 million in 2019) brought to attention the wide variation of national contexts concerning the policy measures to protect migrants' rights and ensuring their equal access to basic and essential services, namely in health. Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) is a key component to the overall health and quality of life and is impacted by power inequities inherent to society's institutions, environment, economics, and culture. In Portugal, guidelines for intervention in SRH are insufficient, a gap that is more pronounced with migrant populations due to the absence of culturally sensitive indicators to assess and monitor SRH. The aim of this work was 2-fold: to identify good practices in the SRH field, with a particular focus, whenever possible, on migrant populations, and to identify relevant and inclusive indicators to monitor SRH in Portugal. A Delphi panel (via online survey) with 66 experts (researchers, teachers, and health professionals) and 16 stakeholders (non-governmental organizations, civil society, and governmental organizations) was implemented in two rounds. Panelists were asked to state their level of agreement (5-point Likert-type scale) regarding four different SRH areas: Sexual Health, Reproductive Health, Social-Structural Factors, and Good Practices. Items were based on literature review and a World Café with 15 experts and stakeholders. Participation rate was 68% and response rate was 97% on the first round. From the initial list of 142 items, a total of 118 (83%) items were approved by consensus. Findings may provide extended opportunities for the healthcare system to engage in better informed decisions and more inclusive and integrative strategies regarding SRH, contributing to build political measures toward sexual and reproductive justice.

COVID-19 Confinement and Sexual Activity in Spain: A Cross-Sectional Study

Restrictions of free movement have been proven effective in tackling the spread of COVID-19 disease. However, sensitive populations submitted to longer periods of restrictions may experience detrimental effects in significant areas of their lifestyle, such as sexual activity. This study examines sexual activity during the COVID-19 confinement in Spain. A survey distributed through an institutional social media profile served to collect data, whereas chi-squared tests, t-tests, analyses of variance, and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to assess differences among sample subgroups. A total of 71.3% adults (N = 536) (72.8% female) reported engaging in sexual activity with a weekly average of 2.39 times (SD = 1.80), with significant differences favoring males, middle age, married/in a domestic relationship (p < 0.001), employed (p < 0.005), medium–high annual household income, living outside the Iberian Peninsula, and smoking and alcohol consumption. Analyses adjusted for the complete set of control variables showed significant odds for a lower prevalence of weekly sexual activity in women (OR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.27–0.72). Interventions to promote sexual activity in confined Spanish adults may focus on groups with lower sexual activity.

Challenges in the Practice of Sexual Medicine in the Time of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom

Background

On 23rd March 2020, the UK government released self-isolation/social distancing guidance to reduce the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2. The influence such guidance has on sexual activity is not known.

Aim

To investigate levels and correlates of sexual activity during COVID-19 self-isolation/social distancing in a sample of the UK public.

Methods

This paper presents preplanned interim analyses of data from a cross-sectional epidemiological study, administered through an online survey.

Outcomes

Sexual activity was measured using the following question: “On average after self-isolating how many times have you engaged in sexual activity weekly?” Demographic and clinical data were collected, including sex, age, marital status, employment, annual household income, region, current smoking status, current alcohol consumption, number of chronic physical conditions, number of chronic psychiatric conditions, any physical symptom experienced during self-isolation, and number of days of self-isolation/social distancing. The association between several factors (independent variables) and sexual activity (dependent variable) was studied using a multivariable logistic regression model.

Results

868 individuals were included in this study. There were 63.1% of women, and 21.8% of adults who were aged between 25 and 34 years. During self-isolation/social distancing, 39.9% of the population reported engaging in sexual activity at least once per week. Variables significantly associated with sexual activity (dependent variable) were being male, a younger age, being married or in a domestic partnership, consuming alcohol, and a higher number of days of self-isolation/social distancing.

Clinical Implications

In this sample of 868 UK adults self-isolating owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of sexual activity was lower than 40%. Those reporting particularly low levels of sexual activity included females, older adults, those not married, and those who abstain from alcohol consumption.

Strength and Limitations

This is the first study to investigate sexual activity during the UK COVID-19 self-isolation/social distancing. Participants were asked to self-report their sexual activity potentially introducing self-reporting bias into the findings. Second, analyses were cross-sectional and thus it is not possible to determine trajectories of sexual activity during the current pandemic.

Conclusion

Interventions to promote health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic should consider positive sexual health messages in mitigating the detrimental health consequences in relation to self-isolation/social distancing and should target those with the lowest levels of sexual activity.

Jacob L, Smith L, Butler L, et al. Challenges in the Practice of Sexual Medicine in the Time of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom. J Sex Med 2020;17:1229–1236.