×

Abstract

Costa Rica prohibits abortion except under narrow circumstances to save the pregnant person's life. The country boasts historically strong support for social policy and human rights, while also presenting a complex and restrictive abortion access landscape. From September 2021 to March 2022, we conducted 23 interviews with obstetrician-gynecologist (OB/GYN) physicians, OB/GYN medical residents, and policy stakeholders to explore the socio-ecological influences on abortion access in Costa Rica. We sampled clinicians and policy stakeholders from the Universidad de Ciencias Médicas listserv through snowball sampling and conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews in Spanish. We identified limited access to comprehensive sexual health education, lack of support from interpersonal networks, inadequate provider knowledge and training, financial and migratory status, and both provider and community stigma as substantial barriers to abortion access. This study addresses a gap in published research around the social determinants of abortion in Costa Rica and sheds light on the attitudes and opinions of the medical and policy stakeholder communities about abortion access. The results highlight the need for expanded access to comprehensive sexual health education, abortion-related training for healthcare providers, and increased programming efforts, such as funding, outreach, and implementation, to ensure comprehensive reproductive health services are available and accessible, especially for vulnerable populations in Costa Rica.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Socio-ecological influences on access to abortion care in Costa Rica: a qualitative analysis of key perspectives from clinical and policy stakeholders.

Author(s):
Halper E; Erhardt-Ohren B; Cobb M; Hidalgo-Mora O; Ospina-Henao S; O'Bannon A; Rochat R; Narasimhan S; Newton-Levinson A

Summary:
Costa Rica only allows abortion in very few cases, mostly to save the mother's life. This research found that there are many barriers to getting an abortion, like lack of education, support, and training for doctors, as well as financial and social challenges. The study suggests that Costa Rica needs more education and support to improve access to reproductive health services.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39105442 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Against a backdrop of legislative change that sees the taking of private sexual images underneath the clothing of a non-consenting other being made a criminal offence - upskirting - there is a need to understand the public's judgments of and motivations to perpetrate said behavior. In this study ( = 490), we investigated whether judgments of upskirting differed as a function of the sex of the person who was upskirted (male, female) and their perceived attractiveness (attractive, unattractive), as well as how variation in voyeuristic interest, belief in a just world, and dark personality traits predicted judgments of and proclivity to engage in upskirting. We consistently observed more lenient judgments of upskirting behavior when the person who was upskirted was attractive and male, with such judgements predicted by older age across all conditions. Moreover, proclivity to engage in upskirting was predicted by past voyeuristic behaviors, higher psychopathic personality, and being male and of older age. We discuss our findings in the context of needing to qualitatively understand the rationale underpinning these judgments, combating barriers to disclose victimization, and practitioner implications.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Understanding Social Judgments of and Proclivities to Commit Upskirting.

Author(s):
Fido D; Harper CA; Duff S; Page TE

Summary:
The study looked at how people feel about a behavior called upskirting, where private pictures are taken under someone's clothes without them knowing. It found that people are sometimes more forgiving if the person being photographed is seen as attractive or is a man, and those likely to do upskirting were often older men with certain personality traits. The study talks about why people might think this way and how to help victims.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39105294 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Hypersexuality and impulsivity are regarded as risk factors for sexual offending against children. Studies exploring these factors in undetected men who offended or are at risk of offending are rare. This study aims to investigate hypersexuality and impulsivity in treatment-seeking men with and without a diagnosis of (exclusive) pedophilia who committed child sexual abuse (CSA), consumed child sexual abuse images (CSAI), or feel at risk of offending sexually. Data were obtained from three child abuse prevention projects in Bamberg, Germany. We employed self-report (BIS-11, HBI), objective measures (TSO), and risk assessment tools (STABLE-2007). We computed Bayesian ordinal logit and binomial generalized linear models to explore differences between groups and to predict lifetime CSA and CSAI. Hypersexuality scores were particularly pronounced in patients with exclusive and non-exclusive pedophilia. Patients without pedophilia scored similarly to nonclinical samples. Impulsivity measures did not consistently differ between groups. We could not predict lifetime CSA and CSAI using impulsivity and hypersexuality measures. Sexual rather than general impulsivity seems to be an issue in men with pedophilia. The motivation to offend in patients without pedophilia is discussed.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
The Relevance of Hypersexuality and Impulsivity in Different Groups of Treatment-Seekers With and Without (Exclusive) Pedophilia.

Author(s):
Bergner-Koether R; Peschka L; Pastukhov A; Carbon CC; Steins-Loeber S; Hajak G; Rettenberger M

Summary:
This study looked at men who are at risk of harming children to see if hypersexuality and impulsivity played a role. It found that hypersexuality was more common in men with pedophilia, but impulsivity did not seem to make a difference. The study couldn't use these traits to predict if someone might harm children.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39104158 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) students, LGBTQ+ staff and LGBTQ+ parents report schools can be unsafe and unwelcoming environments. Yet few studies have explored LGBTQ+ student, LGBTQ+ staff and LGBTQ+ parent perceptions of the school climate simultaneously or adopted person-centered perspectives. The present study sought to identify LGBTQ+ related strategies adopted by schools, and whether these were differentially related to perceptions of school safety and community. Data were collected in 2021 via online sampling of the current Australian school (1,937) students, (124) staff and (75) parents. Four distinct inclusion strategy profiles were identified via latent class analysis: , , and . Just under half (48.2%) of schools lacked LGBTQ+ strategies, with participants from these schools reporting greater safety concerns. Our findings suggest that curriculum and pedagogical strategies are likely the most effective and should be a key focus for improving the school climate. Schools that employed LGBTQ+ affirming practices and included LGBTQ+ resources and activities, like Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), saw improved perceptions of safety and community.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Which LGBTQ+ Inclusive School Strategies Support LGBTQ+ Student, Staff and Parent Perceptions of School Climate? A Latent Class Analysis.

Author(s):
Mann T; Burns E; Van Bergen P; Jones T

Summary:
Many LGBTQ+ students, staff, and parents don't feel safe or welcome in schools. A study in Australia looked at how schools can help, and found that schools with LGBTQ+ friendly strategies reported feeling safer. Activities like Gay-Straight Alliances seem to make schools feel better for everyone.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39101711 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Going beyond simplistic overgeneralization, this study analyses how diversity within the LGBTQ+ community is associated with differential perspectives on, and trust in, the police in Rotterdam. It utilizes queer theory concepts like heteronormativity and homonationalism to achieve a more complex and accurate understanding of LGBTQ+ perceptions and experiences and employs procedural justice theory to understand how these perceptions and experiences result in (dis)trust in the police. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 participants in Rotterdam. The results demonstrate that perceptions around the police are more negative, and less homogenous than quantitative surveys indicate-even in a country where tolerance of sexual minorities is relatively high. Differential acceptance of diversity in queerness under the LGBTQ+ umbrella seems to be crucial in shaping LGBTQ+ perceptions of the police, with "visibly queer" individuals being less accepted, and often holding more negative perceptions of the police. Future research should thus expand on how the various sub-groups within the LGBTQ+ spectrum perceive the police, and how trust can be improved, for example by strengthening the visibility of the PinkinBlue unit within the police.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Can We Have Your ID Please? .

Author(s):
Avides M; Leerkes A

Summary:
The study looks at how different people in the LGBTQ+ community trust the police in Rotterdam. It found that some "visibly queer" people feel less accepted and have more negative views of the police. The study suggests that police should work on improving trust, like making the PinkinBlue unit more visible.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39101710 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Minoritized sexual orientation is an established correlate for suicide ideation (SI) and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI); however, prospective associations between sexual orientation and SI and NSSI is limited. The current study builds on existing literature by examining sexual orientation as a prospective distal risk factor for SI and NSSI risk among a diverse sample of young women after adjusting for histories of SI and/or NSSI and empirically supported correlates and risk factors. Participants were 135 young adult women (aged 18-24), who were predominately Black with approximately half of the sample experiencing poverty. Participants completed an interview that assessed SI and NSSI at baseline and 6- and 12-month follow-ups. A single item was used to collect participants' self-identified sexual orientation at baseline. Minoritized sexual orientation was strongly associated with NSSI history and future SI and NSSI, adjusting for baseline correlates and predictors of interest. Psychological and physical victimization, race, and poverty were non-significant prospective predictors of SI and NSSI. Race and poverty did not moderate the associations between sexual orientation and follow-up SI and NSSI. These findings suggest young adult women who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or questioning (LGBQ) are more likely than those who identify as heterosexual to experience both SI and NSSI in the following year. Sexual orientation should be part of a culturally-informed comprehensive risk assessment. A culturally-informed intersectionality approach may be necessary to identify culturally-specific risk and resiliency factors for SI and NSSI that can guide effective prevention and intervention strategies for LGBQ individuals.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
A Prospective Examination of Sexual Orientation and Suicidal and Nonsuicidal Self-Injurious Thoughts and Behaviors Among a Diverse Sample of At-risk Young Adult Women.

Author(s):
Brown SL; Chen Q; Valencia EMH; Victor SE; Scott LN

Summary:
The study found that young women who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or questioning are more likely to think about suicide or hurt themselves without wanting to die. It suggests that understanding and considering a person’s sexual orientation is important to help create better ways to support them.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39100883 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Midlife is a pivotal stage shaping healthy aging, and sexual minorities may face more challenges in midlife than heterosexual individuals, due to cumulative social, economic, and health disadvantages. Yet, few studies have examined how life satisfaction in midlife varies by sexual identity. Using data from the 2016 Health and Retirement Study (N=3,630), we conducted logit regressions and Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) decomposition analysis to examine how health-related, socioeconomic, and sociopsychological factors contribute to disparities in life satisfaction across sexual orientation groups The results show that bisexual individuals, but not gay or lesbian individuals, reported significantly lower life satisfaction than their heterosexual peers because of their poorer health status and behaviors, fewer social resources, and lower socioeconomic status. Our findings suggest that public policies should target continuing the reduction in sexuality-based stigma, particularly biphobia, to mitigate the health, social, and economic disparities linked to diminished well-being among middle-aged bisexual individuals.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Midlife Satisfaction Disparities by Sexual Orientation: Findings from the Health and Retirement Study.

Author(s):
Lai W; Hsieh N; Liu H

Summary:
The study looked at how happy people are with their lives during midlife and found that bisexual people are less happy than others because they face more health, social, and money problems. The researchers think that making policies to reduce stigma, especially against bisexual people, could help improve their happiness.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39099880 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Some men who have sex with men (MSM) engage in the exchange of sexual services for money, drugs, shelter or something else of value. There has been limited research examining the factors that influence how male sex workers (MSWs) determine their fees for their services. To learn more about this, qualitative interview data were analyzed from 180 MSM from 8 US cities who had recently engaged in exchange sex with clients they had primarily met through dating/hookup websites and apps. The primary factor that affected participants' fees was the type of services provided, with a higher price generally charged for anal sex than for oral sex, mutual masturbation or massage. Condomless anal sex, in particular, commanded a higher fee. Additionally, participants required more money for special kinks or fetishes or any services that they considered to be risky, demanding or physically or emotionally uncomfortable. Other factors that affected how much participants charged for a given encounter included the duration of the meeting, the level of client appeal, the perceived wealth of the client, and the participant's current financial situation. Participants varied in their approaches to fee setting, in terms of both their degree of flexibility when negotiating a price and whether they preferred to suggest a fee or have the client first state an amount they were willing to pay. Information about MSWs' approaches to fee setting provides greater understanding of their lived experiences and the risks they may accept for higher fees.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
"It's Almost Like Playing 'The Price is Right'": Factors Considered by Online Male Sex Workers When Setting the Price for Their Services.

Author(s):
Siegel K; Cabán M; Brown-Bradley CJ; Schrimshaw EW

Summary:
Some men who have sex with men sometimes get paid for it with money or things like shelter. This study looked at how much these men charge, finding that prices often depend on what kind of service they offer, like anal sex costing more than other services. Different factors influence price, such as how much time the meeting takes, how much they like the client, and how much they think the client can pay.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39095676 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate care practices among Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) providing Therapeutic hypothermia (TH), and more specific to investigate staff's experiences of parental participation, presence, and possibilities of being close with their infant during TH.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Parent-infant closeness and care practices during therapeutic hypothermia in Swedish neonatal intensive care units.

Author(s):
Bäcke P; Axelin A; Ågren J; Thernström Blomqvist Y

Summary:
This study looked at how nurses and doctors in special baby care units help parents stay close to their babies during a cooling treatment. They wanted to learn about the staff's experiences with letting parents be involved and present with their babies.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39094471 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

The notion of 'sexual justice' has gained traction in academic and policy arenas in recent years. This paper presents a scoping literature review of the regimes of truth, following Foucault, of 'sexual justice' appearing in the scientific literature from 2012 to 2022. Thirty-eight papers were coded using (1) content analysis of the studies' central problematics, the programmes referred to, and institutional location(s); and (2) thematic analysis of how the notion was deployed. Central problematics centred on (1) critiques of, or alternatives to, dominant approaches to sexual and reproductive health; and (2) highlighting injustices. As such, 'sexual justice' is fighting for legitimacy in the truth stakes. There is a distinct paucity of papers tackling the translation of 'sexual justice' into practice. South Africa dominates as the site in which papers on 'sexual justice' have been produced, but there is a lack of South-South collaboration. Two themes were apparent around which conceptions of sexual justice cohere. Firstly, sexual justice is seen as a vital, yet politically ambivalent , with neoliberal co-optation of progressive rights agendas being warned against. Secondly, sexual justice is viewed as a , in which sexual justice is described as having potential to repair established frameworks' shortcomings and oppressive legacies.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Regimes of truth regarding 'sexual justice' in academic literature from 2012 to 2022: a scoping review.

Author(s):
Pinto P; Macleod CI; Jones M

Summary:
The paper looks at how the idea of "sexual justice" is talked about in research papers from 2012 to 2022. Many papers focus on unfairness and suggest new ideas for improving sexual and reproductive health. Most of the papers come from South Africa, and there's a need for more teamwork between countries in the southern hemisphere.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39092503 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

While is reported as a common rectal infection among men who have sex with men (MSM), published data refer predominantly to urethral infections. Currently, most guidelines recommend testing from urine in men with symptomatic, non-gonococcal urethritis. Macrolide resistance-associated mutations (MRMs) among have increased during the last decade especially among MSM. We aim to demonstrate the prevalence and anatomical distribution of infection and MRM in urine and rectal specimens among MSM in Sweden.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Prevalence of and macrolide resistance in rectal and urine samples among men who have sex with men in Sweden.

Author(s):
Bjartling C; Kertes R; Kristiansen S; Johnsson A; Forslund O

Summary:
The study looks at how common a certain infection is in the urine and rectum of men who have sex with men in Sweden. It also checks if the infection has become resistant to antibiotics.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39089883 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Despite national testing guidelines, rates of testing for HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and hepatitis C remain lower than recommended for men who have sex with men in the United States. To help address this, the TakeMeHome (TMH) program was started in March 2020 by Building Healthy Online Communities, a consortium of public health organizations and dating apps, to work with health departments to increase access to HIV testing for men who have sex with men on dating apps.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
TakeMeHome: A Novel Method for Reaching Previously Untested People Through Online Ordering and Self-Collect HIV and STI Testing.

Author(s):
Hecht J; Facente SN; Cohen S; Menza T; Trainor N; Heumann C; Juhasz M; Sullivan P

Summary:
The TakeMeHome program started in 2020 to help more men who have sex with men get tested for HIV using dating apps. This program works with public health groups and dating apps to make testing easier.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39088269 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

This article explores the sexual subjectivity of women of post-reproductive age who seek partners on dating apps. The existing literature highlights the sexual subjectivity and agency of older women as contested and not sufficiently investigated. Even less research has been conducted on changes in the sexual subjectivity of women born in the USSR in the 1960s, with the liberalisation of sexual behaviour. The study is based on 45 interviews with women aged 55 years and over, who were born in the USSR and who now live in Israel, Finland and Russia. In the article, we examine sexual subjectivity as presented in the interviews from a life course perspective. We explain theoretically and empirically how changes in sexual subjectivity are expressed in the light of age and socio-cultural context constraints. Three life stories highlight the accumulation of experience and turning points, such as divorce and migration. They illustrate very different pathways in changing sexual subjectivity, yet all contain three : desire, security and caring. The expression of post-reproductive female desire can be related to the need to feel secure and enjoy mutual care in sexual relationships. We show that these Leitmotifs shape and are shaped by women's identifications as both sexual objects and subjects, and explore how they relate to different sexual cultures and variations in the socio-sexual positioning of women in Israel, Finland, and Russia.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Changes in ageing women's sexual subjectivity as seen from a life course perspective: security, caring, and desire.

Author(s):
Temkina A; Shpakovskaya L; Lavie-Ajayi M; Rotkirch A

Summary:
The research paper talks about women over 55 who use dating apps to find partners and how they feel about sex. It shares stories from women in Israel, Finland, and Russia, showing how their feelings about sex change after events like getting divorced or moving to a new country. The study finds that these women want to feel both desire and security in their relationships.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39087760 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

The study aimed to describe the preparedness of active members of the Philippine Neurological Association (PNA) in providing medical care to LGBTQ+ patients. We electronically sent out a 21-item self-administered online survey adapted from the 2019 American Academy of Neurology LGBTQ+ Survey Task Force to 511 active members of PNA that included questions about demographic information, knowledge, attitude, and clinical practices. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze variables. Text responses were transcribed and summarized. Seventy-nine (15.5%) of 511 PNA members participated. Most participants were aware of local (53%) and national (56%) barriers that preclude patients in the LGBTQ+ sector from accessing quality health care. The majority (90%) of participants agreed that LGBTQ+ patients experience disproportionate levels of physical and psychological problems. Forty-two percent (42%) of respondents believed that sexual and gender issues have no bearing on neurological management, although a majority (53%) reported individualizing their management considering these issues. The majority were cognizant of the challenges that LGBTQ+ patients face in the health care system. However, awareness has not translated into modifications in neurological management. The openness of the participants to educational opportunities concerning health care related to LGBTQ+ can be leveraged to address this gap.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Preparedness of Filipino Neurologists on the Provision of Medical Care Toward Patients of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus Community.

Author(s):
Butial JRC; Mondia MWL; Espiritu AI; Leochico CFD; Pasco PMD

Summary:
The study looked at how well doctors from the Philippine Neurological Association are prepared to help LGBTQ+ patients. They found that most doctors know about the problems LGBTQ+ patients face, but they haven't changed how they treat patients because of them. The doctors are open to learning more to improve care for LGBTQ+ patients.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39083049 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

The accurate assessment of pedophilic sexual interests is crucial for the treatment and management of individuals who have sexually offended children. This study aimed to validate the Revised Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interests (SSPI-2) in a Portuguese sample of 170 men convicted of sexual offenses against children, 104 serving sentences in the community, and 66 in prison. The findings indicated that SSPI-2 demonstrated good convergent validity, as evidenced by its significant and positive associations with the "sexual deviance" item of SVR-20, the number of previous convictions for sexual crimes against children, and having 3 or more child victims, which is associated with high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing men who show greater sexual arousal to children than to adults. Furthermore, the SSPI-2 exhibited good divergent validity, with no significant correlations observed with a self-report measure of psychopathy or with a nonsexual criminal history.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Validation of the Revised Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interests (SSPI-2) in Portugal.

Author(s):
Gouveia C; Sousa M; Cunha O; Seto M; de Castro-Rodrigues A; Gonçalves RA

Summary:
The study tested a tool called SSPI-2 to help understand who has a sexual interest in children. They found that the tool worked well because it matched with other signs of interest in children, but not with things like how likely someone is to lie or commit nonsexual crimes. They hope this tool can help with treating and managing people who have committed these crimes.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39080999 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

There are currently no Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments for female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), which is physiologically analogous to male erectile dysfunction.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Safety of topical sildenafil cream, 3.6% in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial for the treatment of female sexual arousal disorder.

Author(s):
Thurman AR; Johnson I; Cornell KA; Hatheway J; Kim NN; Parish SJ; Dart C; Friend DR; Goldstein A

Summary:
There are no approved treatments right now for a condition in women called female sexual arousal disorder, which is similar to a problem men have called erectile dysfunction.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39079074 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

On January 30, 2024, over 300 researchers filed an amicus brief in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a United States (US) Supreme Court case that could have severely impacted access to mifepristone, one of the two drugs commonly used in medication abortion. The researchers summarize the legal challenges to the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA's) original approval of mifepristone in 2000 and its 2016 and 2021 decisions modifying mifepristone's Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) Program and label, the responses from the FDA and drug manufacturer to the challenges, and the potential implications of the Court's decision on access to mifepristone in the US. The researchers detail how the FDA relied on a robust scientific record analyzing tens of thousands of patient experiences that conclusively demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of the changes to the mifepristone REMS Program and label and urge the Supreme Court to rely on the clear scientific record and preserve access to mifepristone without reimposing restrictions. What follows is a reprint of this brief.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Brief of over 300 reproductive health researchers as Amici Curiae in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine.

Author(s):
Barrow A; Cohen C; Serpico J; Goodman M; Grossman D; Raifman S; Upadhyay U

Summary:
Many researchers wrote a letter to the Supreme Court about a case that might make it hard to get a medicine called mifepristone, used in abortions. They explained that studies show the medicine is safe and effective, and they asked the Court to make sure people can still get it easily.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39074980 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

On January 30, 2024, over 300 researchers filed an amicus brief in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a United States (US) Supreme Court case concerning the regulatory status of mifepristone, one of two drugs used in medication abortion. In this Comment we summarize the legal challenge, responses from the FDA and drug manufacturer to these challenges, oral arguments presented before the Court, and the implications of the Court's decision on access to mifepristone in the US. We also summarize the content of the accompanying amicus brief.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Amicus brief of over 300 reproductive health researchers supports mifepristone's safety and effectiveness.

Author(s):
Barrow A; Cohen C; Serpico J; Goodman M; Grossman D; Raifman S; Upadhyay U

Summary:
Over 300 researchers sent a letter to the U.S. Supreme Court about a legal case involving a drug called mifepristone, which is used for medication abortion. The paper talks about the legal issues, how the FDA and the drug maker responded, what was said in court, and what the decision might mean for people in the U.S. trying to get the drug.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39074978 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Medicaid is a major funder of reproductive health services, including family planning and pregnancy-related care, especially for people with limited income and people of color. Federal Medicaid funds cannot be used for abortion however 16 states allow state Medicaid funds to pay for abortion. In recent years, Illinois and Maine implemented, and West Virginia discontinued, state Medicaid coverage of abortion.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
The impact of state Medicaid coverage of abortion on people accessing care in three states.

Author(s):
Heil SKR; Caglayan K; Castillo G; Valenzuela-Mendez C; Lankford CM; Sgro G; Yang M; Downing L; Bhalla M; Davis SM

Summary:
Medicaid helps pay for health services like family planning and pregnancy care, mainly for people with low income and people of color. While federal funds can't be used for abortions, 16 states use their own money to cover it. Recently, Illinois and Maine started paying for abortion with state Medicaid, but West Virginia stopped.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39074851 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Although menstruation is a natural biological process, many people feel embarrassed of their menses and struggle to discuss it. To mitigate menstrual communication stigma, it is necessary to first elucidate communication experiences and perceptions. Thus, we qualitatively explore menstrual communication among cisgender women who menstruate and their family, friends, healthcare providers, and community.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
"It shouldn't be just hush-hush": A qualitative community-based study of menstrual health communication among women in Philadelphia.

Author(s):
Casola AR; Medley L; Kunes BC; McGlone N; Silverio A

Summary:
Some people feel embarrassed about talking about their periods, but it's a normal body process. The study looks at how women talk about their periods with the people around them like family, friends, and doctors.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39073267 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Optimising treatment outcomes for people living with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is key to advancing progress towards international targets for the elimination of viral hepatitis as a public health threat. Nucleos/tide analogue agents (most commonly tenofovir or entecavir) are well-tolerated and suppress viraemia effectively in the majority of those who are offered therapy. However, outcomes are not consistent, and we explore the factors that may contribute to incomplete therapeutic responses. We discuss situations in which therapy is not accessible, affordable or acceptable, reflecting the impact of social, cultural and economic barriers, stigma and discrimination, low awareness, poor access to health systems and comorbidity. These challenges are amplified in certain vulnerable populations, increasing the risk of adverse outcomes-which include liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma-among people who already experience marginalisation and health inequities. We also tackle the physiological and biological mechanisms for incomplete virological suppression in individuals receiving HBV treatment, considering the possible impact of inadequate tissue drug levels, poor drug-target avidity and genomic resistance. These factors are interdependent, leading to a complex landscape in which socioeconomic challenges increase the challenge of consistent daily therapy and set the scene for selection of drug resistance. By putting a spotlight on this neglected topic, we aim to raise awareness, prompt dialogue, inform research and advocate for enhanced interventions. As criteria for HBV treatment eligibility relax, the population receiving therapy will expand, and there is a pressing need to optimise outcomes and close the equity gap.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Social, clinical and biological barriers to hepatitis B virus suppression with nucleos/tide analogue therapy: who is at risk and what should we do about it?

Author(s):
Im YR; Mohammed KS; Martyn E; Lumley S; Ko J; Mokaya J; Flanagan S; Matthews PC

Summary:
This research paper talks about how important it is to help people with hepatitis B get better treatment. There are good medicines that work for many people, but not for everyone, because of different problems. Some people have trouble getting or paying for the medicine, and some people face more barriers because of where they live or other issues.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39059818 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Efficacy assessments in clinical trials of treatments for female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) and other female sexual dysfunction (FSD) diagnoses rely on various patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Comparisons and correlations of 1-month recall vs 24-hour recall in patient-reported outcomes of an exploratory, phase 2b, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of sildenafil cream, 3.6% for the treatment of female sexual arousal disorder.

Author(s):
Johnson I; Thurman AR; Cornell KA; Symonds T; Hatheway J; Friend DR; Goldstein A

Summary:
The research looks at how well treatments work for women's sexual problems using different surveys and questions answered by patients themselves.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39059373 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

When someone is caught and punished for a sexual offense, recidivism prevention is of high priority. While a growing body of qualitative research has investigated the desistance process of those who have sexually offended, few studies have examined the narratives of individuals who have sexually recidivated in order to understand how they make sense of their reoffending. This study aims to fill this gap in the literature by exploring the recidivism process and broader life stories of 16 imprisoned men through semi-structured interviews. The results demonstrate how these men explain their recent "failures," the obstacles they face when doing so, and how they attempt to overcome these obstacles in their narratives. Thus, the analysis in this study is both thematic and narrative. Finally, the findings' practical implications are discussed to show how ambiguity in narratives can be a powerful tool in correctional and clinical interventions.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Explaining the Unexplainable: Balancing Responsibility, Expectations, and Identity in Narratives of Sexual Recidivism.

Author(s):
Sandbukt IJ

Summary:
This study talks about why some people commit sexual crimes again after being punished. Researchers talked to 16 men in jail to understand why they did it. The results can help improve ways to stop them from reoffending.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39054256 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

The aims of this study were first, to explore pain trajectories of pelvic girdle pain, and second, to explore if weight gain during pregnancy and/or physical activity before and during pregnancy were associated with the severity of pelvic girdle pain.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Associations of physical activity and weight gain during pregnancy with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain intensity - A retrospective cohort study.

Author(s):
Byberg R; Marie Mjølsnes I; Dalen I; Inger Økland; Marie Gausel A

Summary:
The study looked at how pelvic girdle pain changes over time and whether gaining weight or doing physical activities before and during pregnancy affects how bad the pain is.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39053038 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Background Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) present a significant global public health issue, with disparities in STI rates often observed across ethnic groups. The study investigates the impact of Chatbot-Assisted Self Assessment (CASA) on the intentions for sexual health screening within minoritised ethnic groups (MEGs) at risk of STIs as well as the subsequent use of a chatbot for booking STI screening. Methods A simulation within-subject design was utilised to evaluate the effect of CASA on intentions for STI/HIV screening, concern about STIs, and attitudes towards STI screening. Screening intentions served as the dependent variable, while demographic and behavioural factors related to STI/HIV risk were the independent variables. ANCOVA tests were conducted to measure the impact of CASA on these perceptions. Results Involving 548 participants (54% women, 66% black, average age=30years), the study found that CASA positively influenced screening intentions t (547)=-10.3, P t (544)=-4.96, P t (543)=-4.36, P Conclusion CASA increased motivations for STI screening intentions among ethnically diverse communities. The intervention's non-judgemental nature and the chatbot's ability to emulate sexual history-taking were critical in fostering an environment conducive to behavioural intention change. The study's high acceptability indicates the potential for broader application in digital health interventions. However, the limitation of not tracking actual post-intervention behaviour warrants further investigation into CASA's real-world efficacy.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
The impact of Chatbot-Assisted Self Assessment (CASA) on intentions for sexual health screening in people from minoritised ethnic groups at risk of sexually transmitted infections.

Author(s):
Nadarzynski T; Knights N; Husbands D; Graham CA; Llewellyn CD; Buchanan T; Montgomery I; Khlafa N; Tichackova J; Odeyemi R; Johnson S; Jesuthas N; Tahia S; Ridge D

Summary:
The study looked at using a chatbot to help people from different ethnic groups decide to get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The chatbot made people more interested in getting tested because it was friendly and asked questions like a real person. This helped them feel more comfortable about thinking and acting on getting tested for STIs.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39052859 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

The provision of effective mental health services to individuals attracted to children is rapidly expanding. However, these services have not yet been integrated into general mental healthcare systems and are mainly offered by organizations that predominantly provide services to child sexual abuse perpetrators. Little is known about the perspective, treatment goals, and approaches employed by prevention-specialist mental health professionals when working with clients attracted to children. To address this gap, we used purposive sampling to recruit 10 practitioners who had experience of working in prevention settings with clients attracted to children. After conducting semi-structured interviews and analyzing data through interpretative phenomenological analysis, we identified three main themes and four subthemes within the data. While most participants believed that attraction to minors is unmodifiable or doubted the possibility of modifiability, this belief did not necessarily manifest in their practice. Participants stressed the importance of finding safe alternatives for clients and highlighted the significance of accessing evidence-based information on alternative sexual outlets, such as sex dolls. One overarching theme that emerged across all themes and within participants' accounts was the concern of escalation, indicating a fear that pedophilic fantasies or alternative sexual outlets such as sex dolls could potentially lead to sexual offenses. The findings shed light on the approach of prevention-specialist mental health professionals in working with clients attracted to children and may be used to inform future intervention plans to facilitate service provision to this population.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Perspectives, Treatment Goals, and Approaches of Prevention-Specialist Mental Health Professionals in Working With Clients Attracted to Children.

Author(s):
Nematy A; Flynn S; McCarthy-Jones S

Summary:
Researchers studied mental health help for people who are attracted to children. They found that experts focus on finding safe ways for these people to manage their feelings without causing harm. There is still worry that certain methods, like using dolls, might not fully prevent problems.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39049563 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Deliberate and effortful attempts to gaze at the bodies of women is emerging as a valuable marker of sexual objectification in men. Some preliminary evidence suggests that pervasive body gaze behavior may also accompany insidious attitudes which can facilitate sexual assault. The present study aimed to further explore this potential by examining pervasive body gaze associations with explicit, implicit, and physiological sexual assault propensity measures. We presented 110 heterosexual male participants with images of fully and partially dressed women with and without injuries while measuring their skin conductance responses. We also captured implicit and explicit sexual assault measures in addition to self-reported pervasive body gaze behavior. Pervasive body gaze behavior was significantly correlated with rape myth acceptance attitudes, prior perpetration of sexual assault, a stronger implicit association between erotica and aggression, and lower physiological reactivity during exposure to partially dressed injured women. These findings suggest that body gaze towards women could be a behavioral marker for inclinations to victim blame, preferences for rough sexual conduct, and a physiological desensitization towards female victims. This study further validates a five item self-reported body gaze measure as a valuable tool for detecting deviant sexual objectification attitudes and affective states. As such, measurement and observation of body gaze behavior could be useful for developing risk assessments, estimating intervention efficacy, and enhancing public awareness.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Evidence That Pervasive Body Gaze Behavior in Heterosexual Men Is a Social Marker for Implicit, Physiological, and Explicit Sexual Assault Propensities.

Author(s):
Hollett RC; West H; Craig C; Marns L; McCue J

Summary:
The study looked at how men looking at women's bodies could show if they have harmful thoughts that can lead to sexual assault. It found that men who gazed more at women's bodies might believe harmful myths and show less reaction to hurt women. Measuring this gaze behavior could help in identifying and addressing these attitudes.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39048779 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging evidence showed that the provision and use of a range of health services, including sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, were affected. Otherwise, there was little evidence on whether and how they were adapted to maintain the access of different population groups, including adolescents. The study aims to provide an overview of adaptations to adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) services carried out during the early phases of the pandemic in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The Human Reproduction Program (HRP) at the World Health Organization (WHO) called upon WHO and United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) regional offices to reach out to organisations that provided ASRH services to submit analytic case studies using a short-form survey. The study team charted information from 36 case studies and performed a content analysis. Results show that the adaptations covered a wide array of SRH services that were provided to a diverse group of adolescents. Most adaptations focused on SRH education and access to contraception in comparison to other SRH services. Over half of the case studies included mental health services, most of which were not provided before the pandemic. The adaptations varied between being face-to-face, remote, digital, and non-digital. Most adaptations complemented a pre-existing service and were nimble, feasible, and acceptable to the targeted adolescents. Lessons learned from this study could be extrapolated into other humanitarian settings and rapid responses for future public health emergencies, provided that rigorous evaluation takes place.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Nimble adaptations to sexual and reproductive health service provision to adolescents and young people in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Author(s):
Ali AK; Barua A; Mehta R; Chandra-Mouli V

Summary:
The study looked at how health services for young people, especially about sex and reproduction, changed at the start of COVID-19 in poorer countries. Researchers found that many changes were made to keep teaching and giving birth control, and even to help with mental health. These services were offered in lots of different ways, like in-person or online, and were generally seen as a good fit for the needs of young people.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39046452 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

The article reports on a roundtable dialogue on Donor Funding for SRHR Advocacy and Movement Building, organised by Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters (SRHM) in collaboration with AmplifyChange on 14-15 September 2022. It explores the current scenario about the changing landscape for advocacy and movement building for SRHR and presents some key takeaways from the discussion. The roundtable examined the current funding architecture, drawing on the diverse perspectives of participants, including funders, and raises critical questions on whether current funding patterns are geared to help or hinder advancing a transformative SRHR advocacy agenda that can effectively counter opposition to and rollback of SRHR gains. It provides insights into current approaches to monitoring success and impact that, in turn, shape future funding strategies and priorities and offers preliminary suggestions and solutions for a way forward. The article ends with a call to infuse the SRHR advocacy and movement-building funding landscape with a new set of mutually agreed values, principles and strategies that are embedded in people and movement-centred approaches as a way to ensure not just but funding.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
The dynamics of funding for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy and movement building.

Author(s):
Mallik R; Kismodi E; Ravindran TS

Summary:
A discussion was held to talk about how money is spent on helping with sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) causes. The group looked at current ways of funding and thought about whether they help or hurt these causes. They also shared ideas on how to better measure success and plan for the future.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39046436 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Kenya, like many countries, shuttered schools during COVID-19, with subsequent increases in poor mental health, sexual activity, and pregnancy.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Increased reproductive tract infections among secondary school girls during the COVID-19 pandemic: associations with pandemic-related stress, mental health, and domestic safety.

Author(s):
Mehta SD; Nandi D; Otieno F; Zulaika G; Nyothach E; Agingu W; Bhaumik R; Mason L; van Eijk AM; Phillips-Howard PA

Summary:
When schools in Kenya closed because of COVID-19, more kids started feeling sad and worried. There was also an increase in sexual activity and more girls got pregnant.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39045336 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

There are limited data on the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and their contribution to adverse birth outcomes (ABO) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We performed a case-control study to assess the prevalence of STI and their association with ABO among women attending Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Prevalence of sexually transmitted infection in pregnancy and their association with adverse birth outcomes: a case-control study at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Blantyre, Malawi.

Author(s):
van der Veer C; Kondoni C; Kuyere A; Mtonga F; Nyasulu V; Shaba G; Morroni C; Gadama G; Gadama L; Kawaza K; Dube Q; French N; Lissauer D; Freyne B

Summary:
The study looked at how common infections that are spread by close contact are, and how they affect problems when having babies in Africa. They studied women in a hospital in Malawi to see how often these infections happened and if they caused problems with pregnancies.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39043612 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Social network-based reproductive decisions are critical. This study compares the effect of an older peer contraceptionuse on her younger peer's use, as they share the closest social network within the household, and tend to influence one another for reproductive decisions. In this study we considered peers as two sister-in-law living in the same household.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Inter-generational impact: Exploring the influence of older sister-in-law's contraceptive choices on her peer contraception adoption in India.

Author(s):
Bansal A; Kant Dwivedi L; Bhatia M; Subramanian SV

Summary:
This study looks at how two sisters-in-law living in the same house can affect each other's choices about using birth control. It shows that an older sister-in-law can influence the younger one in making decisions about having children.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39043032 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

While previous studies guided by evolutionary life history theory have revealed several important socioecological moderators of the influence of population density (PD) on reproduction, absent is an understanding of how individual-level factors such as personal resources and sex differences might interact and play a role. Using data from a large sample of clients (N = 4,432,440) of an online dating company spanning 317 states nested within 23 countries, we contributed a robust multilevel analysis of life history effects by assessing the interaction between state-level PD and individual-level income on offspring quantity, and we further qualified this analysis by sex. Consistent with previous research, PD was negatively correlated with having children. Consistent with our novel hypotheses, this negative relationship was moderated by income such that the link between PD and low fertility became weaker with increasing levels of income and these patterns were stronger for men than for women. These results held despite controlling for a variety of country-level, state-level, and individual-level confounds. Findings are discussed together with theoretical and practical implications for the management of fertility based on evolutionary life history perspectives.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Income and Sex Moderate the Association Between Population Density and Reproduction: A Multilevel Analysis of Life History Strategies Across 23 Nations.

Author(s):
Yong JC; Lim CH; Jonason PK; Thomas AG

Summary:
Researchers used data from an online dating company to study how where people live and their income affect having children. They found that in places with more people, people tend to have fewer kids, but if someone has a higher income, this effect is less strong, especially for men. These findings were consistent even after accounting for various other factors.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39039341 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Substance-involved rape is increasing among college students, particularly women (Koss et al., 2022). Addressing rape requires first measuring it accurately in surveys to understand its true scope and nature. We used cognitive interviews with 40 young adults to qualitatively test the construct validity of an alcohol- and other drugs (AOD)-involved rape item in the Sexual Experiences Survey by asking participants to comment on different operationalizations of this construct. Our findings revealed that different phrasings elicited different interpretations of the items by participants. Specifically, the results indicated that (1) respondents viewed the different operationalizations as a sequence of events with varying severity; (2) some participants focused on the intentionality and responsibility of the perpetrator as opposed to opportunistic perpetration; and (3) study participants consistently chose one of the operationalizations as describing "being roofied" (being drugged without consent). Participants also contributed additional scenarios not described in the questionnaire and shared their interpretations of the items. The results underscore the importance of refining survey language to properly measure AOD-involved rape and allow us to understand how to tailor appropriate questions for best comprehension. The findings indicate the benefit in including several items about AOD-involved rape in questionnaires such as the Sexual Experiences Survey, with each item addressing different scenarios of victim intoxication. The results could also have important implications for sexual violence prevention programs, which should discuss consent, intentions, and responsibility specifically in the context of AOD consumption.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
"I Think You Covered the Three Levels of Drugs and Consent": Qualitatively Testing Different Operationalizations of an Alcohol and Other Drugs-Involved Sexual Violence.

Author(s):
Gesser N; Katz BW; Chiu T; Burmeister EM; Anderson RE

Summary:
The study looked at how college students understand questions about being raped when alcohol or drugs are involved. Researchers found that different ways of asking questions made people think about the events differently. The study suggests changing how surveys ask these questions to help prevent sexual violence better.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39039340 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Clinical decision-making for individuals with 46,XY disorders/differences of sex development (DSD) remains unsettled and controversial. The North American DSD Clinician Survey examines the recommendations of a large group of clinical specialists over the last two decades. Active members of the (Lawson Wilkins) Pediatric Endocrine Society and the Societies for Pediatric Urology were invited to respond to a web-based survey at three different timepoints: 2003-2004 (T1), 2010-2011 (T2), and 2019-2020 (T3). Data from 429 participants in T1, 435 in T2, and 264 in T3 were included in this study. The participants were presented with three XY newborn clinical case scenarios-micropenis, partial androgen insensitivity syndrome, and iatrogenic penile ablation-and asked for clinical management recommendations. The main outcomes assessed included the recommended gender of rearing, surgical decision-maker (parent or patient), timing of genital surgery, and age at which to disclose medical details and surgical history to the patient. For all scenarios, the overwhelming majority recommended rearing as male, including a significant increase across timepoints in those recommending a male gender of rearing for the infant with penile ablation. The proportions recommending female gender of rearing declined significantly across timepoints. In general, most recommended parents (in consultation with the physician) serve as surgical decision-makers, but these proportions declined significantly across timepoints. Recommendations on the timing of surgery varied based on the patient's gender and type of surgery. There has been a shift in recommendations away from the "optimal gender policy" regarding gender of rearing and surgical interventions for patients with XY DSD.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Recommendations for 46,XY Disorders/Differences of Sex Development Across Two Decades: Insights from North American Pediatric Endocrinologists and Urologists.

Author(s):
Khorashad BS; Gardner M; Lee PA; Kogan BA; Sandberg DE

Summary:
Doctors have different opinions on how to help kids with a condition called 46,XY DSD. A study asked many doctors what they recommend, and most think raising these kids as boys is best. Over time, more doctors think kids should have more say in surgery decisions and when to tell them their medical history.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39039338 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Pelvic pain worsened by orgasm is a poorly understood symptom in patients with endometriosis.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Pain with orgasm in endometriosis: potential etiologic factors and clinical correlates.

Author(s):
Ding A; Noga H; Bouchard KN; Bedaiwy MA; Lee C; Allaire C; Orr NL; Yong PJ

Summary:
Some people with endometriosis have a symptom where their pelvic pain gets worse after an orgasm. Scientists don't fully understand why this happens.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39039031 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE) is a subtype of premature ejaculation. Genetic research on LPE has primarily focused on neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, whereas LPE treatment studies have focused on drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. However, findings from genetic association and pharmacotherapeutic studies have been inconsistent.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Possible pathophysiologic roles of neurotransmitter systems in men with lifelong premature ejaculation: a scoping review.

Author(s):
van Raaij JJ; Serefoglu EC; van Amelsvoort TAMJ; Janssen PKC

Summary:
Lifelong premature ejaculation (LPE) is a type of early ejaculation that some people have their whole lives. Scientists study chemicals in the brain, like serotonin and dopamine, to understand it, and some medicines to treat it. But the results from these studies are not always the same.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39034106 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) serves as a pro-angiogenic factor; however, there is to our knowledge currently no reported research on the relationship between HB-EGF and diabetic erectile dysfunction (ED).

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor improves erectile function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Author(s):
Fridayana FR; Ock J; Liu FY; Niloofar L; Vo MN; Huang Y; Yin GN; Ryu JK

Summary:
This paper talks about a substance called HB-EGF that helps make new blood vessels grow. Scientists don't yet know how HB-EGF is related to trouble with erections in people with diabetes.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39033084 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

To examines the access to reproductive health information by women with physical disabilities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
The pathways to reproductive health education for women with physical disabilities in vietnam.

Author(s):
Nguyen A; Warren N; Whittaker A; Gardner J

Summary:
The paper looks at how women with physical disabilities in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, get information about reproductive health.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39032377 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Philanthropic abortion funds are integral to accessing care in the United States, providing both financial and practical assistance. Yet relatively little is known about those who seek these essential services. In this study, we analyzed data from a Kentucky abortion fund to assess characteristics of abortion fund callers.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Seeking financial and practical support in an abortion-hostile state: Analysis of abortion fund data in Kentucky, 2014-2021: Analysis of abortion fund data in Kentucky.

Author(s):
Smith MH; Eggen MB; Prestrud AA; Lafferty-Danner K; Gyuras H; Bessett D; Perkins L

Summary:
This study looked at people who call for help from a group in Kentucky that gives money for abortions. They wanted to understand more about the people who need this kind of support.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39031677 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

This study aimed to explore young people's perceptions and experiences on access to voluntary termination of pregnancy (VTP) in northern Mozambique.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
'Better taking the risk than a lifetime punishment of early forced marriage': Young people's perceptions and experiences towards voluntary termination of pregnancy in northern Mozambique.

Author(s):
Sitefane GG; Mariano E; Essén B; Axemo P; Munguambe K

Summary:
The study looked at what young people in northern Mozambique think and feel about getting access to services for ending a pregnancy if they choose to.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39029134 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Amidst a backdrop of attacks on both LGBTQ+ individuals and LGBTQ+ venues coupled with the ongoing changing landscape of urban queer spaces across the UK, this article offers a timely autoethnographic and socio-spatial account of queer "safety." This article examines when and how queer spaces are experienced as "safe." Specifically, the article offers reflections from the author's experience of two queer spaces: (1) The Proud Place, a purpose-built community center in Manchester, England and (2) The concert of a queer female artist that took place in Bristol, England. The article concludes that queer spaces are contextually safe spaces. Through an analysis of (in)visibility and exclusivity in queer spaces, the article reveals the social structures and power dynamics impacting perceptions of safety.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Negotiating the Paradoxical Binaries of 'Safety' in Queer Spaces: Autoethnographic and Socio-Spatial Reflections.

Author(s):
Charlton K

Summary:
This article talks about how safe people feel in places meant for LGBTQ+ folks. It looks at two places: The Proud Place in Manchester and a concert in Bristol. The article says these places feel safe differently for each person because of how people see and treat each other there.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39028859 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

In general (i.e. in heteronormative and cisgendered samples), authenticity appears protective against threats to well-being. Authenticity may also, in part, protect well-being against the minority stressors experienced by sexually minoritized (LGB; lesbian, gay, and bisexual) individuals. In this scoping review, we examined the relation between authenticity and well-being in LGB samples experiencing minority stress. We hypothesized that (i) LGB minority stress relates to decreased authenticity (i.e. inauthenticity), (ii) authenticity relates to increased well-being, and (iii) authenticity influences the relation between LGB minority stress and well-being. We identified 17 studies ( = 4,653) from systematic searches across Medline, ProQuest, PsycINFO, and Scopus using terms related to sexual identity, minority stress, authenticity, and well-being. In almost all studies, proximal (but not distal) stress was associated with inauthenticity, and inauthenticity with decreased well-being. In all but one study, the association between proximal stress and well-being was associated with inauthenticity. Although these results are consistent with our hypotheses, the included studies were limited in scope and heterogenous in their methods, instruments, and samples, restricting conclusions regarding mediation or moderation. The results require replication, well-powered direct comparisons between LGB and non-LGB samples, and consideration of the varied ways authenticity can be conceptualized and measured.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Authenticity, Well-Being, and Minority Stress in LGB Individuals: A Scoping Review.

Author(s):
Roberts ER; Lee MF; Simpson K; Kelley NJ; Sedikides C; Angus DJ

Summary:
The study looked at how being true to oneself, or authentic, helps LGB people feel better in the face of stress. They found that when people felt less true to themselves, they felt worse overall. Most of the studies showed that stress and feeling less true to oneself were linked to feeling worse, but more research is needed.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39028856 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

A recent wave of academic research has highlighted the wide-ranging and negative impacts that stigma against kink has on kinksters. As scholarship continues to explore prejudice and discrimination around kink, this article argues that fresh insight can be found by drawing on adjacent work around other stigmatized sexualities. Over the previous decades, scholars in sexuality studies and queer studies have developed a powerful conceptual framework of "phobias" and "normativities" for thinking about the marginalization of sexual differences. This framework has its origins in the concepts of homophobia, heteronormativity and homonormativity, but its naming conventions and analytical insights have since been extended to address reproduction, romantic love, monogamy, gender identity, etc. This article argues that this conceptual framework should be expanded once again, this time to encompass kink. Building on the nascent use of this conceptual framework within kink scholarship, this article defines and expands on the concepts of and , and introduces the new concept of . This article demonstrates how these concepts can help us better talk about and think through the marginalization of kink.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
The Marginalization of Kink: Kinkphobia, Vanilla-Normativity and Kink-Normativity.

Author(s):
Bennett T

Summary:
This research talks about how people who like kink can feel left out or treated poorly because of it. The study suggests using ideas from other studies to better understand and help people who enjoy kink. It introduces new ways to think and talk about this issue.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39028679 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Sexual compliance (i.e., consensually engaging in sex despite a lack of desire for it) is common in committed intimate relationships, but the consequences of compliance for the well-being of the individual and the relationship are poorly understood. We investigated the perceived consequences of sexual compliance and perceptions of factors contributing to negative/positive consequences by applying qualitative content analysis to free-text retrospective survey responses from 107 (mostly) Finnish adults. We identified five themes of personal consequences (emotions and mood, sexual experience, sexual desire, pressure and violations, and physical pain), four of relational consequences (relationship satisfaction, partner's response, relationship interaction, and value alignment), and nine of possible factors contributing to negative/positive consequences (communication, self-esteem, motives for sex, relationship factors, agency and self-knowledge, mental health and stress, psychological flexibility, societal norms, and past negative experiences). Perceived consequences varied widely across individuals, both in terms of whether any positive or negative consequences were experienced and whether compliance was perceived as improving or worsening specific domains of well-being. We discuss the themes identified in relation to previous theories of sexuality and intimate relationships and offer hypotheses that can be tested in future quantitative studies.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
A Qualitative Content Analysis of Perceived Individual and Relational Consequences of Sexual Compliance and Their Contributors.

Author(s):
Gunst A; Alanko K; Nickull S; Dewitte M; Källström M; Antfolk J; Jern P

Summary:
The study looked at why people sometimes agree to have sex even if they don't want to and how it affects them and their relationships. Researchers found different outcomes such as feelings, relationship satisfaction, and self-esteem, and they noted that these effects can be positive or negative. They also identified factors like communication and mental health that can influence these outcomes.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39026074 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Although smell is sometimes treated with little regard, it is invested with cultural meaning and conveys a great deal of information, including about gender, sexuality and identity. This article draws on interviews with 11 transgender and nonbinary people who have accessed gender affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), and focuses on how they understand and explain changes in how their own bodies smell. Although it is well documented that GAHT causes changes in skin oiliness, changes in smell are inconsistently documented, and within the medical literature are often commented on only in passing. Taking a discourse analytic approach, the article finds that participants noticed changes in their own smell during hormonal transition, that in many cases this change was understood as significant in some way, and that these changes could be experienced as affirming. Understandings of what changes in bodily smell meant were often derived relationally or socially, although participants' discussion of the experience frequently focused on their own embodiment. Smell seems to form part of a process of (re)identification with the physical self and gender affirmation that can be facilitated by GAHT.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
'Boy smell': transgender and nonbinary people's experiences of bodily smell.

Author(s):
Easterbrook-Smith G

Summary:
The study talked to 11 transgender and nonbinary people who noticed changes in their body smell after taking hormones. These changes in smell were important to them and helped them feel more like their true selves.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39023180 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Although it is an effective HIV prevention method, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is underutilized in the Southern US. Many people who use drugs (PWUD) have increased susceptibility to HIV which could be lessened by using PrEP. Potential barriers to PrEP use include lack of awareness of PrEP, low knowledge about HIV prevention, low self-efficacy for HIV prevention, inaccurate risk perceptions, and anticipated stigma. The current study examined predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors that may predict interest in PrEP. The purpose of the current study was to explore factors associated with interest in and willingness to use daily oral and long acting injectable PrEP among sexually active adult PWUD. The data were collected from adult participants (n = 270) residing in Harris County, TX, who self-reported problematic substance use and who reported oral, anal, or vaginal sex in the six months prior to completing the survey. The survey was distributed and completed online via Qualtrics Panels in March of 2022 and included measures of PrEP and HIV knowledge, PrEP stigma, sexual health self-efficacy, experiences of discrimination, health literacy, and medical mistrust. The majority of participants reported circumstances or behaviors that increased their susceptibility to HIV. Findings indicated that PrEP user stereotypes and PrEP anticipated disapproval by others were associated with interest in using daily oral PrEP and willingness to use long acting injectable PrEP. These results provide insight into reasons for low PrEP uptake among PWUD who live in a high HIV prevalence jurisdiction. Implications for HIV prevention intervention are discussed.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Interest in and Willingness to Use PrEP: A Cross-Sectional Study of Individuals with Problematic Substance Use Residing in a High HIV Prevalence Jurisdiction.

Author(s):
Heads AM; de Dios C; An K; Yoon JH; Suchting R; Gilmore-Thomas A; Schmitz JM

Summary:
In the Southern US, not many people use a medicine called PrEP that can stop HIV. The study looked at why some people who use drugs might want to use PrEP and found that fear of what others think can stop people from using it. The study helps us understand how to help more people use PrEP to stay safe from HIV.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39020242 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the experiences that trans, masculine presenting, non-binary and gender diverse (TMNG) people who menstruate have with period product packaging and marketing, and identified opportunities for improvement through an inclusive communication design framework. Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with nine TMNG consumers, allies and advocates. These revealed positive and negative experiences with the current design of period product packaging and marketing throughout the entire 'user journey', including purchasing, use and disposal. A thematic analysis of the interviews confirmed that problems exist with the lack of representation through imagery and language on period product packaging and marketing. The resulting three themes were engaged with to develop an inclusive communication design framework that included: the need for an improvement in the physical experience of periods; the need for improved mental health and emotional relationship to periods; and the need for the consideration of broader social issues such as sustainability and accessibility in relation to period product packaging and marketing.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Helping to destigmatise the use of period products for trans, masculine presenting, non-binary and gender diverse (TMNG) consumers through an inclusive communication design framework.

Author(s):
Connory J; Tyagi S

Summary:
This study looked at how some people who use period products felt about the packaging and ads. They found that the packaging could be better by showing more different types of people and using kinder words. They also suggested ways to make the products and packaging more helpful and caring for people.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39018157 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

Despite growing understanding and acceptance of the concept of Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U) among gay men, HIV stigma remains a burden for people living with HIV. This study explored perceptions of HIV among HIV seronegative gay men in Sweden in this new context. Using snowball sampling, 15 gay men born between 1980 and 2000 were recruited to the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and data were subjected to reflexive thematic analysis. Men grew up experiencing gay stigma and were repeatedly informed by parents, schools, communities, peers, and popular culture about the dangers of HIV, and that gay men were a high-risk group. As men grew older, and the premise of HIV shifted dramatically due to U = U, some remained emotionally anchored to the pre-U = U era, while others realigned their perceptions, often after a process of reconciling emotional responses (e.g. HIV = death) with the logical-rational claims made about U = U. The study highlights key areas for future efforts, namely establishing a balance between HIV education strategies and stigma reduction initiatives. Study findings underscore the need to care for the memory of those lost during the crisis years, while also addressing the stigma faced by those currently living with HIV.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
Growing up in the shadow of HIV: post-AIDS generation of HIV-negative men who have sex with men in Sweden and their perceptions of HIV and stigma.

Author(s):
Dennermalm N; Sjöland CF; Christiansen M; Nilsson Schönnesson L; Laine K; Kanon E; Suarez D; Ekström AM; Mølsted Alvesson H

Summary:
This study looked at how gay men in Sweden think about HIV today. It found that many still feel old fears about HIV, even though they know new facts that show it's not as scary. The study says we should focus on teaching people about HIV while also trying to stop the stigma against those who have it.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39012361 Indexed on February 9th, 2025

×

Abstract

People with a sexual interest in children face significant barriers to seeking and receiving mental health treatment. This review aims to bridge the gap between the treatment needs and experiences of pedohebephiles, and the services aiming to support them. Reviewers screened 1705 database hits and extracted findings from 22 qualitative, 15 quantitative, and 3 mixed-method studies on the treatment needs and experiences of pedohebephiles. Research suggests that this population experiences significant levels of distress, depression, and anxiety related to their sexual interest. Many individuals belonging to this population would seek (median = 42.3%), or have sought (median = 46.5%), treatment to cope with their sexual interest or with potential related mental health repercussions. Their experiences in treatment have been mixed, with some reporting positive experiences with empathic therapists and others reporting rejection. Most frequently, pedohebephiles report fear of exposure and rejection as barriers to seeking treatment, in addition to fear of the legal repercussions. The current study is the first to summarize and discuss previous findings on the treatment needs and experiences of pedohebephiles. The findings indicate that the treatment needs of pedohebephiles often remain unaddressed. Suggestions to increase the fit between treatment services and the needs of pedohebephiles are put forward.

Read the full article

---

Article Details

Title:
The Treatment Needs and Experiences of Pedohebephiles: A Systematic Review.

Author(s):
Chronos A; Jahnke S; Blagden N

Summary:
Some people who have an interest in kids need mental health help but are scared to ask for it because they might get in trouble or be rejected. A study looked at many other studies and found that these people are often stressed and worried and would like help. The study suggests more ways to make sure they get the treatment they need.

Meta:
pubmed id: 39009743 Indexed on February 9th, 2025