Sexually Transmitted Infection Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study

Li, Juo‐Chi; Tsai, Shih‐Jen; Chen, Tzeng Ji; Chen, Mu Hong

doi:10.1007/s10803-022-05732-7

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 28 publications

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“…Various opportunities may exist to promote individualized sexual safety and education based on sexual orientation and to prevent problematic sexual behavior. From this point of view, it has been shown that typical sex education may not be sufficient for people with ASD, but specific methods are needed to meet needs in personalized modalities [ 37 , 94 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex and Sexuality in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Scoping Review on a Neglected but Fundamental Issue

et al. 2022

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ASD consists of a set of permanent neurodevelopmental conditions, which are studded with social and communication differences, limited interests, and repetitive behaviors. Individuals with ASD have difficulty reading eye gestures and expressions, and may also have stereotyped or repetitive language, excessive adherence to routines, fixed interests, and rigid thinking. However, sexuality in adolescents and young adults with ASD is still a poorly studied and neglected issue. This review aims to evaluate sexual function and behavior in individuals with ASD to foster a greater understanding of this important, although often overlooked, issue. This review was conducted by searching peer-reviewed articles published between 01 June 2000 and 31 May 2022 using the following databases: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database, and Web of Science. A comprehensive search was conducted using the terms: “Autism” OR “ASD” AND “Sexuality” OR “Romantic relation” OR “sexual behavior” AND/OR “sexual awareness”. After an accurate revision of 214 full manuscripts, 11 articles satisfied the inclusion/exclusion criteria. This review found that, although individuals with ASD may have sexual functioning, their sexuality is characterized by higher prevalence rates of gender dysphoria and inappropriate sexual behavior. Furthermore, sexual awareness is reduced in this patient population, and the prevalence of other variants of sexual orientation (i.e., homosexuality, asexuality, bisexuality, etc.) is higher in adolescents with ASD than in non-autistic peers. Sexual health and education should be included in the care path of patients with ASD in order to improve their quality of life and avoid/reduce inappropriate and risky behaviors.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sex and Sexuality in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Scoping Review on a Neglected but Fundamental Issue

et al. 2022

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Measuring the prevalence of autistic traits in a cohort of adults living with HIV or taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and mapping safer-sex barriers and facilitators: a study protocol

Huyst,

Dewinter,

Noens

et al. 2023

BMJ Open

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IntroductionAutistic individuals identify with a wider range of sexual orientations than non-autistic individuals, including higher rates of bisexual orientation in autistic men. Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men are at greater risk for HIV. Prevalence data of autistic traits in people living with HIV or using Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV are lacking so far. Such data, combined with insights in barriers and facilitators for safer sex in autistic people living with HIV or using PrEP, are a first step to improve health support for autistic people in HIV clinics. This support is crucial since autistic individuals have worse physical and mental health outcomes. The objective of this research is to determine the prevalence of autistic traits within the group of people living with HIV or using PrEP in Belgium and to describe specific facilitators and barriers for sexual safer behaviour in people living with HIV and PrEP users with autistic traits.Methods and analysisThe research is a cross-sectional, observational and multicentre study with recruitment of individual participants. The research consists of two phases. In phase 1, adults coming for HIV/AIDS care or HIV PrEP in participating Belgian HIV Reference Centres will be invited to fill in the validated Autism Spectrum Quotient questionnaire. In phase 2, participants with a score above the predefined cut-off for autistic traits (>26), who agreed to be informed about this score, will be invited to complete an additional survey, inquiring facilitators and barriers for sexual safer behaviour.Ethics and dissemination of resultsInstitutional Review Board Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, 25 July 2022, REF 1601/22 and University Hospital of Antwerp, 12 September 2022, Project ID 3679: BUN B3002022000111. Study results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented to Belgian HIV Reference Centres and at conferences.

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Sexual health and well-being: A study of autistic youth in Canada

Shao,

McKay,

Wood

et al. 2024

The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality

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Sexual health and well-being are important components of overall well-being and quality of life. Yet, little is known about autistic persons’ self-reported sexual health and well-being in Canada. In the current study, 3,551 youth aged 16–24 from across Canada were surveyed, including 419 youth who reported an autism diagnosis or self-identified as autistic. We examined demographic and sexual health data from autistic youth and assessed differences/similarities with non-autistic youth on key indicators. A significantly greater percentage of autistic youth reported a transgender identity (22.5% vs. 1.9%), an asexual identity (7.0% vs. 2.7%), and an LGBQ+ sexual orientation (55.6% vs. 22.3%), compared to non-autistic youth. Autistic youth were just as likely as non-autistic youth to value sexual pleasure. On average, autistic youth rated their sexual health as “good,” and many were happy with their sexual lives. Half were in a committed relationship, and autistic youth in relationships were generally sexually and emotionally satisfied in their relationships. Many had engaged in partnered sexual behaviours (e.g., touching genitals, oral sex, penis–vagina sex), with a higher percentage of autistic youth reporting that they had ever had penis–anal sex (30.8% vs. 22.6%). Autistic youth and non-autistic youth reported similar condom/barrier use for most sexual behaviours. The implications of these findings for sexual health promotion with autistic youth are discussed.

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Sexually Transmitted Infection Among Adolescents and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Nationwide Longitudinal Study

Cited by 3 publications

References 28 publications

Sex and Sexuality in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Scoping Review on a Neglected but Fundamental Issue

Sex and Sexuality in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Scoping Review on a Neglected but Fundamental Issue

Measuring the prevalence of autistic traits in a cohort of adults living with HIV or taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis and mapping safer-sex barriers and facilitators: a study protocol

Sexual health and well-being: A study of autistic youth in Canada

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