Sexual Health Education for Adolescent Males Who Are Interested in Sex With Males: An Investigation of Experiences, Preferences, and Needs

Abstract

Purpose: There is a dearth of research to inform sexual education programs to address sexual health disparities experienced by adolescent males who are interested in sex with males (AMSM). The current study sought to determine where AMSM receive sexual health information, clarify their preferences, and explore relations with sexual behavior. Methods: AMSM (N = 207; ages 14–17) in the United States completed an online sexual health survey. Bivariate associations between sexual education exposure/preferences by sexual behavior were assessed using Fisher’s exact tests and one-way analyses of variance. Results: Eighty-nine (43%) participants reported no sexual contact with male partners, 77 (37%) reported sexual contact without condomless anal sex, and 41 (20%) reported condomless anal sex. Participants received sexual health information from their parents/guardians (n = 122, 59%), formal sources (n = 160, 78%), and the Internet (n = 135, 65%). The most commonly covered topics by parents/guardians and formal sources were how to say no to sex, how to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, and methods of birth control. The most common online-researched topics were how to safely have anal sex, the types of sex you can have with a male partner, how to use a condom, and how to use lubrication. Participants noted preferring a sexually-explicit online sexual health program that addresses male–male sex. Conclusions: Online sexual education programs that explicitly address male–male sex are needed. Tailored programs can help AMSM develop healthy sexual behaviors and decrease their HIV/STI risk.

Diversity of Psychosocial Syndemic Indicators and Associations with Sexual Behavior with Male and Female Partners Among Early Adolescent Sexual Minority Males

“…Previous research on syndemics has documented rates of psychosocial concerns among emerging adult and adult sexual minority men similar to those seen in this study. Mustanski et al found that 23% of their sample of young adult sexual minority men (ages [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] reported problematic alcohol use (compared with 18% in our sample), 24% reported regular marijuana use (compared with 26% in our sample who reported any use), 32% reported psychological distress (compared with 41% in our sample who reported clinically significant internalizing symptoms), and 32% reported experiencing sexual assault (compared with 31% who reported childhood sexual abuse in our sample). 12 In one study of adult HIV-negative sexual minority men (M age = 34), syndemic indicators were approximately as common.…”

“…The current study was the first to document an association between syndemic indicators and sex with different-sex (i.e., not male) partners, which is especially important during adolescence when youth often experiment with a range of sexual behaviors. 8,11,17 One important limitation of the current study is that we did not assess condom use with female partners; thus, we cannot determine if syndemic burden is associated with sexual risk with female partners. However, because many adolescents do not use condoms with different-sex partners, 8 we hypothesize that condomless sex may comprise much of the statistical association between syndemic burden and vaginal/anal sex with female partners among this sample.…”

“…Detailed recruitment and study procedures have been reported elsewhere. 17 Briefly, participants were considered eligible for the online survey if they (1) were ages 14-17 years; (2) identified as a cisgender male (i.e., assigned male sex at birth and current male gender identity); (3) identified as gay or bisexual, reported sexual attraction to other males, or reported voluntary sexual contact with another male; (4) were a U.S. resident, and (5) had a personal e-mail address.…”

“…First, no study has assessed syndemic indicators and HIV risk among younger males (<16 years of age). Second, no study has assessed associations between syndemic indicators and sexual behavior with female partners; given that the onset of such psychosocial concerns and the development of sexual behavior occur early in adolescence, 2,3,11,17 this is an especially important gap. Third, although previous studies have provided evidence of the deleterious effects of an increasing syndemic burden, no study has documented the possible combinations of syndemic indicators that are present among adolescent sexual minority males.…”

Effectiveness of Sexual Education Based on Mindfulness Training and Islamic Teachings in Improving Female Adolescents’ Self-Esteem

“…Comprehensive sexual education can help children and adolescents to adapt the complex and critical issues within a framework of health, social, and ethical issues. Therefore, achieving a better life and self-care in order to prevent high risk sexual behaviors in this period requires adolescents to be aware of puberty issues (22,23) The period before puberty is a perfect time for parents to transmit prevention messages regarding sexual risks to their children before starting sexual activity (23,24).…”