Increased attention to human sexuality can improve HIV-AIDS prevention efforts: Key research issues and directions.

Abstract

Curtailing the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic requires the development of effective strategies for helping people reduce high-risk sexual behavior patterns. Because the objective of HIV prevention involves changing how people behave sexually, research findings in human sexuality are extremely pertinent to efforts to promote AIDS risk reduction. Unfortunately, most public health HIV prevention programs rarely reflect findings of human sexuality research. In this article, research is reviewed in the areas of the relationship contexts of sexuality, including variations in monogamy, condom use in affectionate versus casual relationships, sexual communication, and coercion; the modification of sexual behavior repertoires; substance use in relation to sexual intercourse; and sexual schema and scripts relevant to HIV risk. Policy and training issues related to human sexuality may have hindered efforts to incorporate sexuality research findings in HIV prevention programs. Advances and refinements in the success of HIV prevention efforts are likely if research on human sexuality is better integrated in AIDS prevention programs.

Condom Use at First Intercourse with a New Partner in Female Adolescents and Young Adults: The Role of Cognitive Planning and Motives for Having Sex

“…This is consistent with earlier findings (e.g., Gebhardt et al, 2003). Research from Kelly and Kalichman (1995) and Cooper, Agocha, and Powers (1999) suggest that within heterosexual relationships condoms are considered to be a contraceptive measure rather than a method to prevent STIs.…”

“…Discussing issues related to condom use may well be perceived as an unnecessary disturbance of the romance experienced within the new relationship. It appears that young women do not wish to take any action that may be a potential threat to a relationship in which they have invested emotionally (Kelly & Kalichman, 1995).…”

“…Young people's sexual encounters are often unplanned, sporadic, and are sometimes the result of social pressure or coercion (Kelly & Kalichman, 1995;Lear, 1995). They tend to be insufficiently aware of the health risks of sexual intercourse (Buysse, 1996;Minichello et al, 1996).…”

Hiv Sexual Risk Behavior Among Puerto Rican Women

“…For example, lapses in condom use with primary partners may represent affectively laden perceptions and other relationship characteristics, which may relate to an overall greater emotional investment within these primary sexual relationships (Kelly & Kalichman, 1995). As a result, a woman may hesitate to suggest condom use within a presumed intimate relationship if she fears risking the implication of either a lack of trust in her male partner or sexual infidelity on her own part (Kelly & Kalichman, 1995). Interestingly, the Puerto Rican women in this study were less likely to use condoms with their primary sexual partners, despite their perception that the behavior of their partners had increased their risk for HIV infection.…”

“…Thus, despite the ostensible fact that their partners had increased their own risk for HIV infection, these women hesitated to engage in self-protective sexual behaviors, such as condom use. As a result, clinical intervention approaches for women within primary sexual relationships with apparent increased risk for HIV infection may need to incorporate attempts to diminish connotations of safer sex with disease prevention, as well as to reframe attributions of condom use as demonstrations of feelings of affection, loyalty, concern, and consideration for intimate sexual partners (Kelly & Kalichman, 1995).…”