Sexual Health and Canadian Youth: How Do We Measure Up?
Eleanor Maticka-Tyndale, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Windsor. [ Full text available ]

This paper assesses the current sexual health status of Canadian youth in relation to sexually transmitted infection, pregnancy rates and sexual practices. The paper begins with a discussion of the social and historical context of adolescence and adolescent sexuality in Canada. Of particular importance in understanding adolescent sexuality is that, at present, our society postpones the transition from adolescent to adult status well beyond the point of biological readiness for sexual activity. Insights are drawn from international comparisons of adolescent sexual health indicators, and priorities for adolescent sexual health research and promotion are discussed. Among these priorities are Canadian-based research on adolescent sexual health, greater collaboration among Canadians working to promote adolescent sexual health and, most importantly, a commitment to listen to our youth when developing programs and services. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2001; 10: 1-18).

Paradigm Change and Female Sexual Dysfunctions: An Analysis of Sexology Journals.
Mark Alan Winton, University of Central Florida.

This study examines the content of four academic sexuality journals to detect paradigm changes in therapeutic approaches to female sexual dysfunctions (sexual arousal disorder, orgasm disorder). A content analysis of articles appearing in the Journal of Sex Education and Therapy, the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, The Journal of Sex Research, and the Archives of Sexual Behavior was conducted for the years 1967 to 2000 in relation to the use of medical, psychological and biopsychosocial paradigms in sex therapy. The categories employed in the analysis were: journal; publication year; type of dysfunction; theoretical orientation; primary cause of dysfunction; and type of intervention. The results suggest that within the sexological literature, perspectives on the nature and treatment of female sexual dysfunction have shifted away from psychological explanations and moved toward medical and biopsychosocial approaches. The implications for sex therapy are discussed. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2001; 10: 19-24).

Developing a Comprehensive AIDS Prevention Outreach Program: A Needs Assessment Survey of MSM of East and Southeast Asian Descent Who Visit Bars and/or Bath Houses in Toronto.
Maurice Kwong-Lai Poon, Peter Trung-Thu Ho, and Josephine Pui-Hing Wong, Asian Community AIDS Services.

A survey was conducted to assess the needs of men who have sex with men (MSM) of East and Southeast Asian descent who visit bars and/or bath houses in Toronto, Canada. The majority (n=86) of respondents included in the final analysis (n=90) self-identified as gay or bisexual. The survey questionnaire addressed reasons for visiting bath houses and bars, sexual practices, condom use, HIV testing, willingness to interact with outreach workers and information respondents would like to receive from safer sex educators. Study results suggest that two sub-groups of this population should be the primary targets of bar/bath house outreach: (1) MSM of East and Southeast Asian descent under 39 and (2) bisexual men of East and Southeast Asian descent who visit bath houses. The findings also show that HIV-testing, information about HIV, and information about other sexually transmitted infections (STI) needs to be more accessible to these populations. Moreover, Asian MSM need safe and positive social spaces to meet as well as workshops about topics that concern them (e.g. safer sex negotiation). Evidence from this study also challenges the negative stereotypes that are sometimes attached to gay and bisexual Asian men. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2001; 10: 25-39).

Sexual Behaviours, Condom use and Factors Influencing Casual Sex Among Backpackers and Other Young international Travellers.
Cari E. Egan, University of Guelph.

This study examined the casual sex behaviour and condom use of backpackers and other young international travellers (n=504) travelling in Canada in the summer of 2000. Twenty-six percent of all respondents reported that they had sexual intercourse with a casual partner (i.e. somebody they had just met) while on their current trip. Those who had casual sex while travelling were most often: male; had a history of casual sex prior to the trip; reported higher numbers of partners prior to the trip; expected to have casual sex on the trip; and were backpackers as opposed to short term travellers. While 94% expected to use a condom during casual sex while travelling, only 64% did so with their most recent casual partner. Perception of HIV risk was low among those who had casual sex and lower among those who did not. Factors most often cited as influences to have casual sex by those who did so were: (1) desire (being aroused, thinking about sex) or being desired (someone wanting to have sex with me); (2) alcohol use (drinking, being drunk) and mood enhancement (partying, "have fun' mood); and (3) for men but not women, picking someone up or being picked up. Sex differences in these and other influences on casual sex behaviour while travelling are discussed in relation to the dynamics of casual sex behaviour and STI/HIV risk among young international travellers. (The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality, 2001; 10: 41-58).