CJHS Abstracts: Vol 8(4) 1999

The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality (CJHS)

Volume 8, Number 4, 1999
Sexuality and Gynaecological Cancer: A Needs Assessment Gisèle Bourgeois-Law and Robert Lotocki, University of Manitoba. Seventy-three women attending gynaecology oncology clinics for follow-up on their treatment for gynaecological cancer completed a questionnaire on cancer and sexuality. The study sought to determine what information they had received regarding the effects of cancer and its treatment on sexuality, what information they would have liked to have received, and when, and in what format, they would have preferred to receive it. Slightly more than half of respondents said that cancer had had an effect on their sexual functioning; reduced interest in sex and pain during sexual activity were cited most often. Among all respondents, the most common difficulties in learning to deal with the effects of illness and treatment on sexuality were changes in body, changes in feelings about self as a women, problems communicating feelings to partner, and lack of information. About half of respondents had received little or no information on sexuality and cancer, only half of the remainder were satisfied with the information they received, and almost 60% said they would have liked more information. About equal numbers would prefer receiving information before as after treatment. In order of priority, desired information pertained to: effect of treatment on sexuality; effect of cancer on sexuality; dealing with feelings regarding illness; and dealing with partner’s feelings and reactions. Preferred formats for receiving information in order of priority were: one-on one discussion with a caregiver (primarily with partner present); pamphlet, small group discussion, and, less often, group talk with question/answer. Ideally the topic should be addressed more than once in the course of treatment.(The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 1999; 8: 231-240) Belief in a Cure for HIV Infection Associated With Greater HIV Risk Behaviour Among HIV positive Men Who Have Sex with Men Stephen J. Misovich, Jeffrey D. Fisher, University of Connecticut, and William A. Fisher, University of Western Ontario. The increasingly prevalent belief that HIV infection can now be cured through highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens may contribute to elevated levels of HIV risk behaviours among HIV seropositive individuals. This study assessed the extent to which a sample of HIV seropositive men who have sex with men believed that HIV is now, or will soon, be curable. The association between respondents’ degree of agreement with this belief, their levels of HIV-risk behaviours (including unprotected insertive and receptive anal sex, and unprotected oral sex to ejaculation), and behavioural intentions regarding performing these behaviours, was assessed. Analyses indicated that belief in a cure for HIV was significantly, positively related to levels of risky behaviour, and significantly positively related to levels of behavioural intentions to perform HIV risk behaviours in the future. As advanced treatments for HIV become more widespread, the potential exists for individuals to decide that HIV preventive behaviours may no longer be necessary. This new source of HIV risk must be addressed through interventions designed to increase HIV+ individuals’ awareness of the continuing dangers of unprotected sexual activity.(The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 1999; 8:241-248) Young People’s Sexual Health: A Framework for Policy Debate Catherine Campbell, London School of Economics and Peter Aggleton, University of London. This paper seeks to stimulate debate about policy directions for sexual health promotion for youth. We first examine the reasons why some young people might be more at risk than others for sexual health problems, highlighting a number of the structural and environmental factors that can contribute to young people’s sexuality-related risks and vulnerabilities. We then propose ways that policy-makers might help to reduce these risks not just by improving access to high quality information and services but also by creating health-enabling environments that facilitate young people’s efforts to protect and enhance their sexual health. In this context, we pay particular attention to the impact of home, community, and macro-social factors (e.g., poverty, discrimination, social exclusion) on the sexual behaviour of youth. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 1999; 8: 249-262.) The Certainty of the Sexual Self-Concept Luis T. Garcia, Rutgers University. This study sought to examine how men and women perceive the sexual component of their self-concept and the certainty with which they hold those views. Replicating the results of a previous study, it was found that men perceived themselves as more sexually experienced, responsive, and deviant than women whereas there was a tendency for women to perceive themselves as more sexually attractive and romantic. In terms of certainty about one’s self-concept, as predicted, women were more certain than men about their sexual attractiveness and the romantic component of their sexuality. Furthermore, the variables of erotophobia-erotophilia, self-reported sexual experience, and masculinity and femininity were related to people’s perceptions and certainty of their sexual self-view. The findings have implications for understanding how individuals acquire, maintain and modify their sexual self-concept. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 1999; 8: 263-270.) Responding to the Support Needs of HIV Positive Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth Robb Travers, University of Toronto and Dino Paoletti, Central Toronto Youth Services. Thirty-two HIV positive youth were interviewed regarding the challenges of living with HIV infection and barriers to HIV/AIDS and youth services. Participants reported emotional concerns arising from stigma, societal fears and misinformation regarding HIV. Thematic analysis of transcribed interview tapes identified 11 key themes, including initial periods of denial subsequent to testing positive for HIV, self-blame and shame regarding infection, judgements by family and peers, issues concerning disclosure, social isolation and loneliness. Participants also reported barriers in accessing sometimes urgently needed HIV/AIDS services and other support services for youth. Possible reasons for and responses to these unmet service needs are presented. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 1999; 8: 271-284.)

Volume 8, Number 4, 1999

Sexuality and Gynaecological Cancer: A Needs Assessment
Gisèle Bourgeois-Law and Robert Lotocki, University of Manitoba.

Seventy-three women attending gynaecology oncology clinics for follow-up on their treatment for gynaecological cancer completed a questionnaire on cancer and sexuality. The study sought to determine what information they had received regarding the effects of cancer and its treatment on sexuality, what information they would have liked to have received, and when, and in what format, they would have preferred to receive it. Slightly more than half of respondents said that cancer had had an effect on their sexual functioning; reduced interest in sex and pain during sexual activity were cited most often. Among all respondents, the most common difficulties in learning to deal with the effects of illness and treatment on sexuality were changes in body, changes in feelings about self as a women, problems communicating feelings to partner, and lack of information. About half of respondents had received little or no information on sexuality and cancer, only half of the remainder were satisfied with the information they received, and almost 60% said they would have liked more information. About equal numbers would prefer receiving information before as after treatment. In order of priority, desired information pertained to: effect of treatment on sexuality; effect of cancer on sexuality; dealing with feelings regarding illness; and dealing with partner’s feelings and reactions. Preferred formats for receiving information in order of priority were: one-on one discussion with a caregiver (primarily with partner present); pamphlet, small group discussion, and, less often, group talk with question/answer. Ideally the topic should be addressed more than once in the course of treatment.(The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 1999; 8: 231-240)

Belief in a Cure for HIV Infection Associated With Greater HIV Risk Behaviour Among HIV positive Men Who Have Sex with Men
Stephen J. Misovich, Jeffrey D. Fisher, University of Connecticut, and William A. Fisher, University of Western Ontario.

The increasingly prevalent belief that HIV infection can now be cured through highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens may contribute to elevated levels of HIV risk behaviours among HIV seropositive individuals. This study assessed the extent to which a sample of HIV seropositive men who have sex with men believed that HIV is now, or will soon, be curable. The association between respondents’ degree of agreement with this belief, their levels of HIV-risk behaviours (including unprotected insertive and receptive anal sex, and unprotected oral sex to ejaculation), and behavioural intentions regarding performing these behaviours, was assessed. Analyses indicated that belief in a cure for HIV was significantly, positively related to levels of risky behaviour, and significantly positively related to levels of behavioural intentions to perform HIV risk behaviours in the future. As advanced treatments for HIV become more widespread, the potential exists for individuals to decide that HIV preventive behaviours may no longer be necessary. This new source of HIV risk must be addressed through interventions designed to increase HIV+ individuals’ awareness of the continuing dangers of unprotected sexual activity.(The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 1999; 8:241-248)

Young People’s Sexual Health: A Framework for Policy Debate
Catherine Campbell, London School of Economics and Peter Aggleton, University of London.

This paper seeks to stimulate debate about policy directions for sexual health promotion for youth. We first examine the reasons why some young people might be more at risk than others for sexual health problems, highlighting a number of the structural and environmental factors that can contribute to young people’s sexuality-related risks and vulnerabilities. We then propose ways that policy-makers might help to reduce these risks not just by improving access to high quality information and services but also by creating health-enabling environments that facilitate young people’s efforts to protect and enhance their sexual health. In this context, we pay particular attention to the impact of home, community, and macro-social factors (e.g., poverty, discrimination, social exclusion) on the sexual behaviour of youth. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 1999; 8: 249-262.)

The Certainty of the Sexual Self-Concept
Luis T. Garcia, Rutgers University.

This study sought to examine how men and women perceive the sexual component of their self-concept and the certainty with which they hold those views. Replicating the results of a previous study, it was found that men perceived themselves as more sexually experienced, responsive, and deviant than women whereas there was a tendency for women to perceive themselves as more sexually attractive and romantic. In terms of certainty about one’s self-concept, as predicted, women were more certain than men about their sexual attractiveness and the romantic component of their sexuality. Furthermore, the variables of erotophobia-erotophilia, self-reported sexual experience, and masculinity and femininity were related to people’s perceptions and certainty of their sexual self-view. The findings have implications for understanding how individuals acquire, maintain and modify their sexual self-concept. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 1999; 8: 263-270.)

Responding to the Support Needs of HIV Positive Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth
Robb Travers, University of Toronto and Dino Paoletti, Central Toronto Youth Services.

Thirty-two HIV positive youth were interviewed regarding the challenges of living with HIV infection and barriers to HIV/AIDS and youth services. Participants reported emotional concerns arising from stigma, societal fears and misinformation regarding HIV. Thematic analysis of transcribed interview tapes identified 11 key themes, including initial periods of denial subsequent to testing positive for HIV, self-blame and shame regarding infection, judgements by family and peers, issues concerning disclosure, social isolation and loneliness. Participants also reported barriers in accessing sometimes urgently needed HIV/AIDS services and other support services for youth. Possible reasons for and responses to these unmet service needs are presented. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 1999; 8: 271-284.)

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